PNW Winter Months

11/1/2024 (Permalink)

Here in the Pacific Northwest our storm season can consist of wind, rain, hail, and snow. I remember the first year we moved up here from Southern California we had our first glimpse of the storms. We lived in a rural area here in Gig Harbor. We are surrounded by trees up here and where we lived at the time. Windstorms in Washington remind me of Santa Ana winds in Southern California, however in Southern California palm trees rarely fell from the winds. Nor did we experience power outages. That first year our main road had a tree fall that we had to drive under, and it took our power for over 7 days. We ended up packing some major essentials and staying with my in laws who were 20 minutes away and inside the city limits. They still had power, heat, water, lights, you know all the essentials.

I wish I had known how to be better prepared that first winter, so here is a list of quick tips and tricks that can help you get by next storm:

• Keep a tote somewhere easy to get to
  • Have nonperishable food: top roman, soup, spaghetti sauce, noodles, etc.
  • Invest in a propane burner for camping
• Keep flashlights on hand or candles
  • Check batteries before the storm hits
• Keep a case of water on hand
• First aid kit, every household should have one
• If you have a wood stove, make sure you have matches and wood ready
• Be sure to have spare warm blankets or sleeping bags
• Invest in a generator

These are just a few of many ways you can prepare yourself before a storm hits. Be sure to check your supplies periodically. I hope these tips and tricks help for any future storms we have in the future. Remember SERVPRO of Gig Harbor/North Tacoma and SERVPRO of Mason County are here to provide you with awareness and prevention tools to avoid your next damage.