How To Prepare For Hurricane Season

Loss of electricity, lack of drinking water, impassable roads, impaired phone service and a severely damaged home are effects to anticipate from a powerful hurricane. Preparations should include stores of food and water, medications, family documents and a number of other items.

Evacuation planning

The main reason people have to evacuate during hurricanes is from a storm surge, which is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm’s winds that can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastlines, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Evacuation planning is number one on the list.

Local governments provide the public with information about evacuation areas and the evacuation plans. Waiting until the day of the hurricane isn’t a smart idea since everyone will be in a heightened state of anxiety.

While people who live in storm surge areas fall within areas that are urged to evacuate during a hurricane, people who live outside of these zones should still look into safety precautions during a hurricane.

Those who live in mobile homes and high rises may also have to evacuate even if they do not live in an evacuation area, it’s not just a beach front problem.

Pet owners should also have an evacuation plan for their pets. Many shelters offer places to keep pets.

Buy supplies

The most important thing is buying supplies well in advance and keeping those supplies on hand should evacuation be required.

If you wait until the hurricane is on your doorsteps, you are going to be waiting in long lines and they could even be out of the stuff you need.

Those living in evacuation areas should keep a hurricane kit handy that is stored in a way that is easy to grab and bring to an evacuation shelter.

While evacuation shelters do provide supplies, Shelters can get overrun and may not have enough supplies. These kits should include water, food, blankets and clothing.

Check insurance coverage

Property owners and renters should be sure to insure their homes against flooding, something that many people do not realize is not a part of standard home and renters insurance.

People might think that if they don’t live on the coast, then they won’t have a flooding problem, but if it can rain, it can flood.

Make copies of important documents

Those living in or near hurricane areas should make copies of proof of ownership documents of any property not limited to their homes, cars and boats.

These documents can be stored in the hurricane kit or in any safe location that does not risk being damaged during the hurricane.

If a hurricane levels your house, you have to prove that it is your house.

Protect your home
Residents should inspect their homes to confirm that there is no damage that a hurricane could increase.

Any issues with the overall structure should be repaired, including loose shingles or damaged roofs. Any possible compromises to the roof or house will become an open avenue for strong and gusty winds.

Residents should purchase supplies, including plywood to cover windows and extra security to keep doors from blowing open, in advance, to secure their homes from damaging winds.

Back up your electronics
Aside from keeping extra batteries and chargers around during a hurricane, people are also encouraged to backup any electronic devices. Businesses should take particular caution in backing up information and sending that information to a remote site.