Severe weather preparedness: what central Wisconsin homeowners need to know before the next storm

Severe weather does not show up with much warning around here. A calm Tuesday afternoon can turn into a tornado warning before supper. That’s just spring and summer in Wisconsin. And while you can’t stop the weather, you can make sure your family knows what to do and your insurance is set up so you’re not scrambling after the fact.

This guide covers the practical stuff: how to get your home and family ready for thunderstorms and tornadoes, and what your insurance does (and doesn’t) cover when things get serious. If you have questions specific to your policy, call us. That’s what we’re here for.

Wisconsin is not the heart of Tornado Alley, but it’s close enough to see real action. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wisconsin averages about 23 tornadoes per year, with significant activity across central and western counties. Several of those storms have caused major damage in the Marshfield area over the years.

Thunderstorms are more frequent and, honestly, more likely to affect your property on a year-to-year basis. Straight-line winds from severe storms can top 80 miles per hour. That’s enough to take down trees, damage roofs, and knock out power for days. Hail is a separate hazard that shows up more than most people expect, and a good hail event can cost you a roof even when the storm itself doesn’t look that dramatic.

The window to watch: late April through September. The most dangerous severe weather in this region tends to hit late afternoon into evening, right when families are home.

Before storm season starts

Walk your yard in April. Dead or overhanging tree branches are the biggest risk to your home during a thunderstorm. A dead limb over your roof is a liability waiting for 60-mile-per-hour winds to activate it. Have large trees assessed by a certified arborist if you’re not sure about their condition. The cost of trimming is a lot less than a roof repair.

Clear gutters and make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Heavy rain events in Wisconsin can dump two to three inches in an hour. If your drainage is compromised, you’re looking at water in places you don’t want it.

Check your sump pump. If you have a basement, your sump pump is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your house during a storm. Test it before you need it. Consider a battery backup unit, because pumps need to run exactly when power is most likely to be out.

During a thunderstorm

Stay inside. Lightning kills around 20 people in the U.S. each year, and Wisconsin sees multiple fatalities or serious injuries most seasons. Get inside a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle. Do not stand under trees. Do not wait out a storm on a porch.

Unplug electronics or use quality surge protectors. A nearby lightning strike can send a power surge through your lines that fries unprotected appliances. Your insurance may cover this, but it’s easier to avoid the problem entirely.

Power outages

Central Wisconsin has seen outages that lasted several days after major storms. Have a plan that doesn’t depend on the power being on: flashlights, fresh batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, and enough food and water for 72 hours.

If you use a generator, run it outside and away from windows. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills more people in storm aftermaths than the storms themselves in many years. Keep a battery-powered CO detector in your home.

Know your safe room

If you have a basement, that’s your best option. Get to the lowest floor, away from windows. If you don’t have a basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level with no exterior walls: a bathroom, closet, or hallway. Cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets and protect your head.

Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Know the nearest sturdy shelter before storm season starts. When there’s a tornado warning, leave before the storm arrives.

Before tornado season

Have a family meeting about where you’ll go and how you’ll communicate. If your kids are old enough to be home alone after school, make sure they know the plan. Pick a contact person outside the area that everyone can check in with if local communication goes down.

Put together a go-bag for your safe room: water, medications, copies of insurance documents, phone chargers, a first aid kit, and a weather radio. A backpack with the basics is enough.

During a tornado warning

Go to your safe room and stay there until the warning expires or the all-clear comes through your weather radio. Do not go outside to look for it. Many tornadoes in Wisconsin are rain-wrapped, meaning you can’t see them until they’re on you.

After the storm passes

Do not re-enter a damaged structure until it’s been checked. Treat every downed power line as live. If you smell gas, get out and call the gas company from a safe distance. Photograph everything before you touch anything. Those photos from the first hour after the storm are the most valuable documentation you’ll have for a claim.

Homeowners insurance and storm damage

Most standard homeowners policies cover windstorm damage, including tornadoes. That covers your home’s structure, attached garage, deck, and roof. It also extends to detached structures like a garage, shed, or fence, typically up to 10 percent of your dwelling coverage limit.

Personal property inside your home is covered up to your policy’s personal property limit. If a tornado takes your roof off and rain soaks your furniture, electronics, and appliances, those losses are covered. Keep a home inventory so you can document what you had.

Your deductible matters more than you think

Your deductible is what you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Some policies have a separate, higher deductible specifically for wind and hail claims. This is increasingly common in Wisconsin.

Check your declarations page. It will list your standard deductible and any separate wind or hail deductible. A $5,000 wind deductible on a $12,000 roof claim is a real number that changes how much your insurance actually pays. If you have questions about what’s on your declarations page, call us and we’ll walk through it with you.

What’s not covered: flood

Homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. If a severe storm dumps three inches of rain and water runs into your basement, that’s flood damage, and it’s not covered by your standard policy. Flood coverage requires a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.

Flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect. Buying one during a storm watch is too late. If your property has seen water intrusion during past heavy rain events, have that conversation with us now.

Sewer and drain backup

Heavy rain can overwhelm storm drains and push sewage backward into your home through floor drains or toilets. Standard policies exclude this, but a water backup endorsement adds this coverage for a modest additional premium. It’s worth asking about, especially in central Wisconsin where heavy rain events have become more common.

Additional living expenses

If your home is severely damaged and you can’t live there during repairs, most homeowners policies include loss of use coverage. This pays for reasonable hotel or rental costs up to a percentage of your dwelling coverage. Keep all receipts, including meals if your temporary situation doesn’t include a kitchen.

Auto coverage

Your homeowners policy does not cover your vehicle. If a tornado destroys your car, you need comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. Comprehensive covers weather events, hail, and falling trees. If you’re not sure whether you have it, check your auto declarations page or give us a call.

The actions you take in the first few hours after storm damage affect your claim. Do these in order.

1. Document first. Before you move anything, photograph and video every piece of damage. Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail. Do this even if the damage looks minor.

2. Make temporary repairs. Cover a damaged roof with tarps or board up broken windows to prevent further damage. Keep all receipts. These costs are typically reimbursable. Do not make permanent repairs until your adjuster has assessed the damage.

3. Contact your insurance company. Call your agent or the claims number on your insurance card. Report the damage promptly. Have your policy number ready and a description of what happened.

4. Be careful with contractors. After a major storm, out-of-area contractors move in fast. Ask for proof of insurance and a Wisconsin contractor’s license. Be skeptical of anyone pressuring you to sign immediately or offering to waive your deductible. That’s a red flag.

5. Keep a claim file. Save every document, receipt, estimate, and communication related to your claim. A folder, physical or digital, with everything in one place will save you headaches if questions come up later.

Severe weather is not a matter of if in central Wisconsin. It’s a matter of when. The preparation you do now, before you’re watching a tornado warning scroll across the TV, is what makes the difference when things get serious. And if you have questions about your coverage, give us a call. Reviewing your policy before storm season takes 20 minutes and can save you a lot of headaches afterward.