CENTRE — Paul Davis Restoration on the Chesnut Bypass has only been open for a little over a month, but already the local office of a chain of damage restoration specialists has several crews at work around the county -- and spring storm season hasn't even arrived yet.

“We've got several jobs going right now, though thankfully they haven't involved storm damage so far,” owner Kevin Green said last week. “We've had families being out of town and their pipes freezing, that kind of thing.”

Green said that if history is any indication, he expects the lack of storm damage to change in the coming months. In anticipation, last week he and co-owner Jake Graves released a list of precautions homeowners and business owners can implement to help make sure they are prepared when storm season arrives.

“Every homeowner should have a disaster plan and a basic emergency kit for their family,” Green said. “A family disaster plan should include where to assemble in the house when a storm hits, such as an interior room or the basement.”

Graves said a basic emergency kit should include items such as batteries, a hand-crank commercial radio, and food and water.

“A good amount is that each person and pet should have a gallon of water per day, for at least three days,” Graves said. “There should also be a three-day supply of non-perishable food for adults, children, and any pets and babies, along with a can opener.”

Green said kits should also include a flashlight, first aid kit, copies of insurance policies, sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.

Green said Paul Davis Restoration is a nationwide chain of full-service disaster recovery specialists with 250 affiliates across the country — but only one in Alabama.

Green suggested that homeowners further prepare for storm season by inspecting and repairing any loose roof shingles, repairing siding and gutter damage, and storing items such as outdoor toys, patio furniture and grills when not in use.

“But sometimes Mother Nature intervenes and even the best-laid plans aren't enough,” Green said. “When that happens, our job is to come in and restore 'normalcy of life' after a disaster.”

Graves said Paul Davis oversees every aspect of the disaster cleanup all the way through to completion. In addition to restoration, he said, the company also handles all aspects of reconstruction.

“If, for instance, someone has a fire, we come out and evaluate what personal property can be saved,” Graves said. “At that point, we inventory and pack out the home, bring it back to our facility and clean anything that can be saved.”

Green said cleaning processes vary from the simple, such as laundry, to the complex, including using chemicals and ozone machines to destroy smoke odors in clothing, furniture and other household belongings.

After Paul Davis crews completely rebuild and restore the structure and everything that can be saved is ready for return delivery, Green and Graves oversee the final step in the process.

“Our crews put everything back in place,” Green said. “We hang curtains and pictures, clean the home, replace the furniture and the homeowner is ready to move back in.