5 Tips to Prepare for a Hurricane

With August being the official peak of hurricane season, it’s recommended to prepare in the event a hurricane does hit. Here are some precautionary measures to help you, your family, and/or your business prepare for a hurricane.

Make a Plan:

Whether you decide to “stay put” during the storm or not, it’s important to have an evacuation plan as things can change. Think about where you can evacuate to, how you will get there, where you will stay, etc.

Gather Supplies:

It’s important to gather supplies not just for the storm, but for the potentially lengthy aftermath. The National Weather Service recommends you have enough food and water to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days. Other supplies should include medicine, cash, a battery powered radio, flashlights, and batteries.

Review Your Insurance Policies:

Reviewing your insurance policies is imperative. It’s recommended to review all policies such as home, auto, boat, RV before a named storm is out there. Many insurance agencies will not make changes to policies once named storm develops. So now is a good time to make changes if necessary. It’s important to understand that although most home insurance covers some expenses that may come with hurricane damage, they may not cover damage incurred from a flood. This is especially important for those who live on the coast. It is suggested that you reach out to your insurance company directly to understand what your policy does and doesn’t cover. For more information on flood insurance and flood risk in your area, click HERE.

Protect Your Home:

Assessing your landscape around your home to look for potential threats should be done regularly; however, it’s extremely important prior to a hurricane. You’ll want to determine if anything needs to be trimmed back or cut down. Try to do this way before a storm is on its way so that Waste Management has ample time to pick up your trimmings before they become projectiles. Locate shutters for your home if you have them; otherwise, you can purchase plywood panels from your local hardware store and cut them to fit and protect your windows. Ensure you have an area to store outdoor items such as patio furniture in the event of a hurricane. Cleaning and organizing your garage can be helpful to provide room for outside items and/or vehicles to be stored inside.

Know all Potential Threats:

With hurricanes, there is potential for extreme winds, storm surges, flooding, and tornadoes. There are variations of each of these threats so it’s important that you are aware of each of them and know what to do in case of an emergency.

In the event of a hurricane, a little preparedness can make all the difference. It’s important that you don’t wait for a warning to be issued as the stores will most likely be empty and possibly closed…Stock up now! For more on preparing and what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, click HERE. You and your family’s safety is what’s most important. And remember… don’t forget about your furry friends!

For the most accurate up-to-date information regarding a potential storm, visit the National Hurricane Center website.

References

Assemble Disaster Supplies (Hurricane Preparedness). (n.d.). Retrieved from National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/2019-hurricane-supplies

Hurricane Hazards. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-hazards