NEED HELP?
GET A CALL BACK IN MINUTES!
When you think of Houston, you probably picture that blazing Texas sun. But the Houston metro area experiences frequent adverse weather phenomena, including torrential downpours, lightning, and hailstorms.
If you live in the Houston area, you should be prepared for when the next big hailstorm hits. And you should always keep All Dry USA on deck in case you need storm damage repair.
Hail can cause a wide range of problems when it falls to the ground, making it dangerous to you and your home alike.
Houston is no stranger to hailstorms. In fact, “Golf ball-sized” hail fell just north of the downtown Houston area in June 2023.
Hail is most common wherever thunderstorms are most common. These massive storm systems, also known as supercells, generate the necessary conditions to convert precipitation into hail.
While you’re more likely to experience a hailstorm in a state like Florida, New Mexico, or Wyoming, it’s not uncommon for the Houston area to get them.
Hailstones can range in size from pea-sized to the size of grapefruits. The larger the hailstones, the more dangerous the storm.
Here’s what you need to know about how to protect yourself and your home.
What makes hail dangerous isn’t just the size of the hailstones but the speed at which they fall. Depending on factors such as the size of the stone, the friction between the stone and the air that surrounds it, and local wind conditions, hailstones can come rocketing down to the ground as fast as 70 mph. Speeds typically clock in at around 9-25 mph, but that’s still quite dangerous.
The various hazards associated with hailstorms include:
Hail can be dangerous while driving, regardless of the size of the hailstones. If the hailstones are tiny and plentiful, sight conditions can suffer, and if they’re large, they can damage your car, even cracking your windshield. Before you take the car out when the horizon looks cloudy, check the weather forecast to ensure hail isn’t predicted.
Hail hurts. Even the tiniest, pea-sized hailstones can be painful. Most of the time, hailstones stay small, as they don’t have much time to collect additional weight as they barrel through the sky — but they can get bigger.
Hailstones as large as tennis balls and grapefruits have been known to cause injuries to humans and animals. Hailstorms can even result in death.
If a hailstorm is in the forecast, plan to stay home. If you notice the hailstones are larger than olives, take shelter in a basement or under a sturdy surface like a granite countertop.
The walls, windows, and roofs of houses are vulnerable to damage from falling hail. In fact, cars are often totaled from hail damage. Window, roof, and siding damage can also result in leaks that lead to interior damage — and without treatment, dangerous mold can begin to spread through damp spaces.
It can be difficult to detect a damaged ceiling or roof until water damage has already occurred, so it’s always best to have a property inspection after a hailstorm to prevent damage before it’s too late.
You can prepare for a hailstorm well in advance. Don’t wait until the sky grows grey. Make a plan now and stick to it when the storm comes.
The top action on your preparedness plan should include:
If you do find yourself caught up in a hailstorm, keep these tips in mind:
After the hailstorm has passed, here are some ways to facilitate speedy recovery and property restoration:
You can prepare for hailstorms and minimize their damage to your home. But you can’t prevent damage altogether. If your home sustains any interior damage due to a hailstorm, All Dry USA is here to help.
Our water damage and mold remediation experts operate around the clock in Houston, and they know hail. Let our professional team help you restore your home to its former condition; get in touch today!
NEED HELP?
GET A CALL BACK IN MINUTES!
Proudly Serving
The State Of TexasMold Remediation Company #MRC1351
We know that you'll love our service!
Schedule an inspection with All Dry USA today.