BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Brace yourself for this weekend, winds are expected to hit the Greater Buffalo Area at 70 mph in certain areas and continue into Monday morning. The winds are expected to be the highest since the 1960s, which means property owners in Western New York need to be on the lookout.
“If you have a dead ash tree or a tree that’s prone to falling over, pine trees have shallow roots, the ground is very soft, it’s very wet, they’re going to fall," Gregory Sojka said, owner of Greg's Tree Service in Buffalo. “Telephone cable lines that you think are dead and don’t have a lot of power, they can. You have to be very cautious regarding moving around in the yard after there’s been an incident like this.”
Sojka says a bug, the Emerald Ash Borer, is sweeping across the United States and wiping out the entire population of Ash trees, which make up 25 percent of the tree population here in Western New York. He advises to move any valuables away from places where potential yard damage could happen like flying branches or falling trees.
It's also important to keep an eye on your home's condition, both inside and outside.
"An older roof is way more susceptible to wind damage,” Brian Tabaczymki said, Retail Manager at Besroi Roofing & Siding. “You want to make sure there’s no leaks inside your house as well, go check around where you have a bathroom fan vent, see if rain was blown in there, things of that nature. Make sure your home is okay inside and out.”
A minor shingle replacement can cost upwards of $200. It's important to know/do the following:
- Know what your insurance covers
- Know which way the wind typically blows towards your house
- Inspect your yard before and after the storm
- Stock up on batteries
- Double check that your sump pump is working properly
