Different types of storms and what they can do

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

What causes a storm to form?

• The basic ingredients used to make a thunderstorm are moisture and unstable air. You need moisture to form clouds and rain. You also need unstable air that is relatively warm and can rise rapidly.
• High levels of heat condensation form in a volume of unstable air that generates deep, rapid, upward motion in the atmosphere.
• The heat energy creates powerful rising air currents that swirl upwards to the tropopause.

What are the different types of storms?

• Hurricanes – start when the warm moist air from the ocean surface begins to rise rapidly, where it encounters cooler air that causes the warm water vapor to condense and to form storm clouds and drops of rain.
• Ice storms – a type of a winter storm characterized by freezing rain, also known as glaze event or, in some parts of the united states, a silver thaw. The national weather service defines it as a storm that results in the accumulations of at least 0.25-inch of ice exposed surfaces.
• Storm surges – a rising of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind associated with a storm.
• Thunderstorms – typically a storm with thunder, lighting, heavy rain, and maybe some hail.
• Tornadoes- a rapid rotating column of the air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.

How can a storm affect your home?

Storms damage to your home can include roof and structural damage. Storms with heavy rain can cause flooding inside your home damaging your floors, walls, ceiling, even furniture inside your home. Storms can last for as long as 12 to 200 hours, depending on season and geography. You should also protect your home when you know a storm is coming by checking your risks, protect your windows and doors, remove any flying objects, and protect your crawlspace and basement.

What to do after the storm.

If a storm has affected your home, you should always call your homeowners insurance and file a claim. Paying out of pocket can sometimes be costly. You can always call SERVPRO of Lexington to make it look "Like it never even happened." We are always available to help.