Preparing Your Church for Severe Weather
Churches are susceptible to severe weather throughout the entire year. So far this year, storms have been more frequent and, in some cases, more severe.
466 preliminary tornadoes formed in the first three months of 2023. That’s the most during the same time frame since tracking began in 1950.
Intense storms pose a risk of damage to churches through downed trees, falling limbs, high winds, hail and flooding.
This is an excellent time for churches to evaluate their facilities and identify prevention methods to mitigate damage from storms. The following are some areas to include in your plan.
Identify Tree Hazards
Fallen trees and limbs are one of the primary concerns during storms. Heavy rain and high winds can pull healthy trees from their roots. And dead limbs can fall, causing damage to property and passers-by.
Before a storm moves through your area, inspect the trees on your church grounds. Look for dead limbs or those that appear to be dying. Inspect the direction a tree is leaning and if it could cause damage during a fall.
Consider having an arborist inspect your trees and determine which ones should be cut to avoid damage to property or present a potentially hazardous situation for congregants.
Check Your Roof and Gutters
Roofs are susceptible to damage during rain, high winds and hailstorms. We recommend getting your roof inspected periodically for loose shingles or areas prone to leaking. Fascia boards should also be inspected to see if any damage is present or painting is needed.
Water damage from roof leaks can cause damage and disruption to your property. Inspecting it before a storm hits can address issues and avoid significant interruptions to your ministry.
After the fall, your gutters are likely full of leaves and other debris. Improper water flow can result in water damage, especially along the foundation of your church. Gutters should be cleaned out and consider replacing them if they’re aged, too small, or not providing proper water flow.
Create and Communicate Storm Safety Plans
When a storm hits, you want your church to have emergency plans ready so that it’s just a matter of ensuring safety instead of scrambling to figure out what you should do.
Create a safety plan informing staff and congregants about where to go during severe weather. And have an effective communication plan to alert anyone on your campus that they need to take shelter.
You can also have equipment in place before a storm to mitigate damage. For example, if your church has a basement or areas prone to collecting water during rainstorms, consider preparing sandbags to prevent flooding inside the church.
One vulnerable area of every property is the windows. Permanent or temporary shutters can be installed to protect glass from flying objects. This is especially important if you have stained glass windows.
If your offices risk flooding or damage, consider storing your files digitally or making backup copies to preserve your essential records.
We’re Here When You Need Us
Taking a few simple steps can help protect your church during storm season. In addition, preparation can ensure you’ll be able to serve your congregation and community with little to no interruption.
If you’d like to learn more about storm preparedness, or discuss your policy, reach out to our team and we’ll be glad to help.
