With National Preparedness Month beginning in September, Michigan Overhead Door is encouraging homeowners and businesses to include garage doors, commercial overhead doors and loading dock equipment in their emergency preparation plans.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency designated “Americans Stand Ready” as the theme of National Preparedness Month for 2026. The campaign encourages individuals, families and communities to take practical steps before disasters and other emergencies occur.
The reminder follows a damaging year of severe weather in Michigan. On March 6, a single supercell produced four tornadoes across Lower Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. The tornadoes ranged from EF-0 to EF-3 intensity and affected communities including Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City.
The National Weather Service determined that the Union City tornado reached maximum estimated winds of 160 mph. It was the earliest EF-3 or stronger tornado recorded during a calendar year in Michigan and the strongest tornado to affect the state since 1977.
While no garage or overhead door can make a building tornado-proof, routine inspection and emergency planning can help property owners identify existing problems, maintain access during power outages and reduce the risk of avoidable door failures.
Garage Door Preparation for Michigan Homeowners
A garage door is one of the largest moving components of a home. Damage, improper balance or worn hardware can affect how safely and reliably the door operates, especially after high winds, hail or a power outage.
Before severe weather occurs, homeowners should:
Look for damaged panels, loose hardware, frayed cables and gaps around the weather seal.
Listen for grinding, scraping, popping or other unusual sounds during operation.
Check whether the door opens and closes evenly without shaking or becoming stuck.
Test the photo-eye and automatic reversal safety features according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Review how the opener’s manual release and battery backup operate before an outage occurs.
Keep the area around the garage door clear of objects that could interfere with movement.
Avoid attempting to repair springs, cables or other components under tension.
If a garage door appears bent, uneven or unstable after a storm, it should not be operated until it can be inspected. Damage that appears minor from outside may affect tracks, springs, cables or the automatic opener.
Preparation for Commercial and Industrial Facilities
A damaged or inoperable overhead door can interrupt deliveries, expose inventory, restrict vehicle access and create safety concerns for employees. Facilities that rely on commercial doors, rolling steel doors, fire-rated doors or loading dock equipment should incorporate these systems into their emergency and preventive maintenance procedures.
Facility managers should confirm that:
Emergency opening and closing procedures are documented.
Employees know who is authorized to operate doors during an outage.
Safety devices and emergency releases are functioning properly.
Door tracks, panels, operators and structural attachments show no visible damage.
Loading dock areas are cleared of unsecured equipment and materials before severe weather.
Doors and loading dock equipment receive scheduled professional maintenance rather than being serviced only after a breakdown.
Following a storm, employees should avoid using a door that is visibly damaged, out of alignment or making unusual noises. Commercial doors are heavy systems, and attempting to force a damaged door open can worsen the problem or create an additional safety hazard.
Professional Garage and Overhead Door Service Across Michigan
Michigan Overhead Door provides installation, repair and preventive maintenance services for residential garage doors, commercial overhead doors, rolling steel doors, high-speed doors and loading dock equipment.
The family-owned company has served Michigan since 2003 and works with homeowners, manufacturers, warehouses, distribution facilities, retailers and other commercial properties. Same-day service is available for qualifying repair needs based on location and scheduling availability.
Michigan homeowners and facility managers who notice storm damage, unreliable operation or overdue maintenance can contact Michigan Overhead Door to request service or a professional assessment.
Information about FEMA’s 2026 National Preparedness Month campaign is available at Ready.gov. Details about the March 6 Michigan tornadoes are available through the National Weather Service.
About Michigan Overhead Door
Michigan Overhead Door is a family-owned garage and overhead door company headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Since 2003, the company has provided residential and commercial door installation, repair, preventive maintenance, fire door testing and loading dock equipment services to communities throughout Michigan.
Contact
Michigan Overhead Door
560 E Reid Rd
Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Phone: (810) 603-2600
Email: info@miohd.com
Website: https://michiganoverheaddoor.com/