Thursday, Dec. 1, saw some of the fiercest winds in Utah history. Topping 100 mph at times, these winds overturned at least 26 semi-trucks and caused more than $3.5 million in infrastructure damage, prompting Davis County to issue a disaster declaration and close schools. High winds knocked out power to approximately 50,000 homes, downed trees, and shattered windows. Cars were crushed and an entire wall of a new dormitory construction at Weber State University collapsed. The level of damage to individual homes is hard to quantify, but structural damage is undoubtedly widespread.

If your home has been damaged by storm winds, turn to the Utah disaster cleanup experts at Utah Disaster Kleenup. Between restoring power, making sure your family is safe, and tracking down valuables, you don’t want to spend any more time than you need to dealing with your insurance claims. We will work closely with your insurance company throughout the entire process to make sure you don’t experience unnecessary financial strain. We will work quickly and efficiently to bring your home back to its pre-wind condition.

If your home has been damaged, it’s important to follow these few steps to get the process started:

1. Submit your insurance claim.
2. Begin keeping track of your expenses. If your home is no longer habitable, expenses can include lodging, food, and transportation.
3. Call UDK. The insurance claims process may take some time, but we’ll help you every step of the way and have you back in your home as fast as possible.

Over the years, Utah has been home to some fairly incredible winter storms. It’s important to be prepared to pass the storm whether at home or out and about in your vehicle. Be prepared for every possibility. Take the following steps to ensure that you and your family stay safe and warm all winter long:

1. Stock up. Make sure both your home and car have fully-stocked emergency kits, including blankets, flashlights, water, non-perishable food items, first-aid supplies, and salt or sand for icy roads or driveways. If at all possible, get a portable electrical generator for use either at home or on the road in case of an emergency.

   For your car, make sure you are equipped with booster cables, flares, a tire pump, a battery-powered radio, and plastic bags.

2. Winterize your home. Clean out gutters, repair leaks, install insulation, weather stripping, and storm windows, and ensure that water lines running along exterior walls are insulated to prevent freezing.
3. Make sure all heating systems are working properly. Inspect chimneys and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Have a professional tune-up your furnace to make sure everything is ventilating properly. Keep grills and generators outside the house. Have an alternate heat source ready in case of a furnace break-down.

If you ever find yourself in dire straits and your home has been compromised, turn to the Utah disaster cleanup specialists to make it all better.

Disasters happen to one and all. You might never experience a flood, fire, or earthquake, but with an economy in recovery, unemployment, bankruptcy, and foreclosure are all around us. Whatever disaster strikes your family, having fully-stocked food storage is a must. Food storage helps when you lose the car and can’t get to the grocery store, when flooding spoils your perishable items, or to last you through tough financial times. Here are three tips for getting started on your storage today:

1. Rotate. Naturally, food will go bad if it’s not used for long periods of time. Instead of letting your food sit idly, build up your stock, and then eat the canned foods throughout the year. That way nothing goes to waste.
2. Choose the right foods. Plan your food storage by meals: select a meal that can be made mostly with non-perishable foods and store enough of the ingredients for 52 meals. That way, you’ll be set for one meal a week for one year. Repeat the process for six more meals and you’ll have stored a full year’s-worth of food – enough to face any disaster.
3. Take it slow. Many people balk at the thought of starting their food storage because of the significant expense of building a year’s supply of food. However, if you just set aside $10 a week during your regular shopping trip for food storage, you’ll be able to gradually build up the stockpile you need.

When disaster strikes, be prepared: have the food you need to make it through and, equally importantly, have the Utah disaster cleanup experts on speed-dial.