Lessons Learned & Tips for Natural Disasters

A few years ago a member of our Woodward staff team, Misty Comstock and her family endured a fire and lost everything. We asked Misty what things she learned from the circumstances and things she does differently now after going through the fire and loss. She compiled a few thoughts below. We appreciate Misty for sharing and understand that recollecting on such a hard time can be hard.

Misty's Tips for and Lessons Learned

1. Have a bank safe and keep your important documents in it.
2. Take pictures of the inside and outside of your house and properties every few months so you can have for your insurance.
3. Keep your insurance coverage current. We had not changed ours in over 25 years. We were UNDER covered for our home and contents as well our property (fences, buildings, equipment, etc.).
4. Have a plan for when the weather states we are in a Red Flag fire warning. Start early to gather important documents and valuables. Get animals and livestock in or close where you can easily catch them quickly if need to.
5. Have your cell phones charged up. Make sure you keep in contact with family members and neighbors.
6. We had a wellhouse, but the power station/substation caught fire and our electricity went out. So did our well house. Get a generator on it if you can so that you'll have water source.
7. Mow around your property and house.
8. Run your sprinkler system or water your lawn around the perimeter of your place for several days in advance of fire warning.
9. After the fire, contact insurance immediately and take photos.
10. If you spot smoke or fire, call 911 immediately. Don’t try to put it out by yourself. Get out of the way of the firemen. Fire is so unpredictable, and wind changes the direction of it very rapidly.