Saskatchewan Summer Storms

In Saskatchewan, storms can develop quickly and threaten life and property. You can greatly lessen the impact by taking the time to prepare in advance.

Before summer storm season you can:

• Trim dead branches to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house.

• Clean gutters, drains, and downpipes.

• Make sure your roof is in good repair.

• Prepare an emergency kit.

When a storm is imminent

• Environment Canada will issue weather warnings…pay attention to that information.

What you can do:

• Secure everything. Flying objects can injure people and damage property.

• Stay away from windows and doors.

• If you are advised by officials to evacuate, do so.

Thunderstorms, Lightning and Hail

• Unplug all appliances that may start up automatically when the power is restored.

• Take shelter, in a building but, failing this, in a depressed area such as a ditch. Never go under a tree as roots can conduct electricity.

• If hail is forecast, put your vehicle into the garage.

• Stay indoors, keep you and your pets away from windows, glass may shatter if hit by hailstones.

If outdoors

• Seek shelter. If shelter is not available, look for low lying areas.

• Do not lie flat. Crouch down, feet close together and your head down.

Tornadoes

• A tornado is deceptive. It may appear to be standing still but may in fact be moving toward you.

In a house

• Go to the basement or a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom or hallway.

• Stay away from windows, outside walls and doors.

In a vehicle or mobile home

• Find shelter elsewhere, preferably in a building with a strong foundation.

• If no shelter is available, crouch down in a ditch away from the mobile.

• Do not take shelter under an overpass or bridge.

Winds can accelerate under them. How Your Insurance Helps Most basic insurance home policies include wind and hail perils automatically, but there are some coverages that may be available to top up your policy. If hail and wind damage one side of your dwelling, insurance will fix that side.

However as siding and shingles age over time, the new material may not match the remaining three sides. You can buy a policy to cover those remaining sides and make sure your house goes back to the way it was designed to be. With thunderstorms, there may be flooding. There are companies that have created Flood/Water Protection coverages.

We also recommend installing automatic sump pumps and backwater valves to prevent damage and these preventative measures may result in a discount on your policy. Your rates/ eligibility will vary depending on your location, it may be worth looking into.