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For homeowners, the increased frequency of extreme weather events is particularly concerning. In New Jersey, El Niño-related weather has brought punishing heat waves and drenching downpours to the region. With this kind of weather becoming more common, it’s important for homeowners to make sure their homes are prepared for anything that Mother Nature can throw at them.
Last year (2022) in the United States, there were 18 weather events–tornado outbreaks, high wind, hailstorms, tropical cyclones, flooding, drought, heatwaves, and wildfires–that caused at least $1 billion in damage. With just over one half of 2023 gone, there have already been 12 events of over $1 billion in damage, and that number is expected to rise sharply.
Homeowners in South Jersey have already struggled through some extreme events in late spring and early summer. The air quality from Canadian wildfires had Garden State residents wearing masks once again on multiple occasions, and the risk for wildfires in the Pine Barrens has been rising with the temperatures.
What is El Niño?
El Niño is an ocean-atmosphere climate phenomenon that affects global weather patterns. It occurs when the waters of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become abnormally warm, resulting in a shift in winds and sea levels across the region.
Typically, El Niño brings wetter and warmer winters to South Jersey, but can also cause drought conditions throughout the year. With global temperatures on the rise due to climate change, extreme El Niño events are becoming increasingly common.
In its most extreme form, El Niño can cause unusual weather events around South Jersey such as flooding, hurricanes, heat waves and heavy snowfall. In addition to direct damage to homes and businesses from these events, indirect impacts like coastal erosion, water shortages and air pollution can be equally damaging to local economies.
Although El Niño is a natural phenomenon, it is expected that its intensity will increase due to climate change with global warming accelerating warming in the Pacific Ocean. This means that homeowners must be more vigilant in preparing for extreme weather events by taking preventative measures such as reinforcing roofing materials or installing storm shutters.
For those who need help with roofing repairs or replacements due to extreme weather damage, Cherry Roofing & Siding offers reliable service at competitive prices.
El Niño storms have devastated the Garden State and Tri-State area in 2023
The summer storms that have resulted from the El Niño weather pattern have been particularly damaging to homeowners in New Jersey and the Tri-State area. Hurricane force winds have ripped off roofs and siding, while torrential downpours have caused extensive flooding.
Cherry Roofing and Siding has noted an increase in business as homeowners rush to repair or replace their damaged rooftops. According to their estimates, they’ve responded to over 500 calls for emergency repairs since May 1st, more than triple what they usually receive during this time of year.
Similarly, homeowners are finding out the hard way that water can be just as destructive as wind. Basements all over the region have flooded due to heavy rains leaving costly damage behind in their wake, with siding and roofs also damaged.
This is just the start of the strong El Niño cycle
The current El Niño cycle is expected to continue into 2024 and possibly 2025.
This means that homeowners in South Jersey must remain prepared for extreme weather events such as flooding, hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy snowfall.
Recent studies have found that El Niño could be intensifying due to climate change. In fact, recent observations of satellite data suggest that it could even become stronger in the future. As a result, temperatures are likely to be higher overall which would lead to more frequent and intense droughts and floods in the region.
The impacts of these weather events can be devastating for homeowners. Not only do they pose risks to health and safety, but they also cause structural damage to homes which can cost an arm and a leg to repair or replace. For instance, high winds from storms can blow off roofs and siding while flooding often causes water damage that requires costly remediation efforts.
In order to mitigate the effects of El Niño-related weather events, homeowners should take preventative measures like reinforcing roofing materials or installing storm shutters so their homes can withstand high winds or heavy rains. \
Homeowners should also make sure their insurance is up to date so any repairs needed will be covered if their home is damaged by extreme weather conditions.
Ultimately, with El Niño expected to last for another year or two at least, it’s important for homeowners in South Jersey to remain vigilant about preparing their homes for extreme weather events so they don’t face unnecessary costs down the line due to damage caused by these unpredictable forces of nature.
How can weather events affect your home?
Extreme weather can cause a devastating amount of damage to your house. Heavy rain and wind can cause roofing tiles and shingles to be blown off, exposing the underlying structure to more damage. High winds can also break windows, strip away siding, and tear gutters off of the sides of the house. In addition, hail can dent or completely shatter the roof tiles and siding, as well as chip away at windows and doors.
Lightning strikes can create electrical surges strong enough to fry household appliances connected to power outlets. Flooding from heavy rains can seep into walls and floors, causing rot that will weaken the structural integrity of any building if left unaddressed for an extended period of time. Hail and high winds can cause significant damage to roofs, siding, windows, gutters, and doors.
Finally, extreme temperatures caused by heat waves or cold snaps can put additional stress on homes that were not built to withstand those conditions over long periods of time.
What kind of damage can extreme weather do to my house?
- Cause roofing tiles and shingles to be blown off
- Break windows
- Strip away siding
- Tear gutters off of the sides of the house
- Dent or shatter roof tiles and siding
- Chip away at windows and doors
- Create electrical surges strong enough to fry household appliances connected to power outlets
- Flood walls, floors, and roofs, causing rot that will weaken structural integrity
- Cause leaks/exacerbate leaks
- Heat waves can warp shingles and cause sealant to fail
Cherry Roofing and Siding can help homeowners fix different types of damage caused by extreme weather events
1. Broken roof tiles or shingles:
Cherry Roofing and Siding’s experienced technicians can inspect your roof, identify damage, and repair or replace broken tiles or shingles to ensure your home is protected.
2. Damage from hail or wind-blown debris:
Cherry Roofing and Siding can assess the situation to determine whether repair work is necessary, as well as offer siding replacement services for any damaged areas.
3. Leaks:
The team at Cherry Roofing and Siding can locate the source of a leak, seal up any gaps found, and patch up any weakened spots in your roof or siding with reliable materials that will stand the test of time.
4. Warped shingles due to extreme temperatures:
Cherry Roofing and Siding can inspect your roof to determine if warped shingles need to be replaced, and if so, they’ll use quality materials and reliable sealants to ensure your roof remains in tip top shape.
5. Damaged siding:
Cherry Roofing and Siding can inspect your home’s siding to identify damage, and then repair or replace any damaged cladding to keep it looking great and help protect the structure of your building.
6. Torn gutters:
The technicians at Cherry Roofing and Siding can inspect your home for any signs of torn or leaking gutters, repair them, or replace them with new ones if needed.
7. Chipped windows and doors:
Cherry Roofing and Siding can check for cracks in windows or doors that could let air out or moisture into the house, then seal these areas with caulk or replace them as necessary.
8. Heat-related damage:
Cherry Roofing and Siding can check for signs of shingle/siding warping due to extreme heat, replacing them if necessary in order to protect your home from the elements.
Cherry Roofing and Siding is well-equipped to handle weather damage caused by extreme climate events.
As human-induced climate change leads to an increase in severe weather, the need for repairs has become more prevalent. Vinyl siding, being a popular choice for many homeowners, can be susceptible to damage from tropical cyclones, excessive heat, and heavy rain.
Such events, exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change, can lead to further damage to homes and structures.
The scientific community, including organizations like the National Academies Press and Cambridge University Press, has observed a trend in more frequent and intense weather events in recent years. These weather events, driven by warm temperatures and moist air masses, can result in strong winds and heavy rain, causing potential storm damage to roofs and siding.
Cherry Roofing and Siding has a team of professionals experienced in identifying and repairing attic leaks and damaged panels resulting from these extreme events. They understand the importance of promptly addressing storm damage, as it can lead to more significant issues if left unattended. In some cases, homeowners may need to file an insurance claim to cover the necessary repairs.
The company utilizes data from reputable sources, such as Carbon Brief and the American Meteorological Society, to understand the impact of climate conditions on a particular region. By understanding the relationship between natural variability and extreme events, they can provide effective solutions to protect homes and properties against future weather damage.
With Cherry Roofing and Siding’s expertise and knowledge in extreme event attribution and climate-related repairs, homeowners can rest assured that their properties are in capable hands. They work diligently to restore damaged exteriors, ensuring that homes are secure and resilient in the face of changing climate patterns.
Cherry Roofing and Siding has you covered in South Jersey
If you’re a homeowner in the South Jersey area and want to ensure your home is properly protected from extreme weather conditions, look no further than Cherry Roofing & Siding.
As an experienced roofer and siding professional, they understand the importance of creating strong structures that can stand up against high winds and heavy rainfall. They use only top-of-the-line materials designed to stand up to even the most extreme weather conditions.
No matter what kind of home improvements you’re looking for, make sure to consider how an extreme weather event could affect your house. Be sure to get in touch with Cherry Roofing & Siding today so they can help ensure that your home is ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store!
Sep 19, 2023
