With each passing year, hurricane forecasting methods are improving. Yet millions of us remain at great risk. It’s critical that you obtain the knowledge and tools necessary to weather the storm. This includes:
- Pre-season preparation
- In North America, the hurricane season starts around May 15, but peak season begins at the end of July. Don’t wait for the storms, stay ahead of the game.
- Know the evacuation routes for your neighborhood.
- Make sure your home meets minimum building codes for withstanding hurricanes, and that you have the right siding, doors, and storm shutters.
- Keep an emergency preparedness kit ready including water, first aid supplies, batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food, blankets, a whistle to communicate, and basic tools.
- Make a digital inventory of your valuable possessions (including photos).
- Keep your data backed up in cloud storage.
- Store important physical documents and home inventory in a safe, water-tight place.
- A gas generator can be a worthwhile investment in area that experience frequent or extended power outages. You’ll need to ensure sufficient gas supplies for the generator to be useful – several gallons per day depending upon usage.
- If you have pets, know the location of local shelters that accept them, as some will not.
- When a watch or warning is issued
- Stay away from low-lying areas.
- Secure objects in your yard and garden.
- Ensure you have plenty of fuel and usable water.
- Make sure you have sufficient food and prescriptions to meet the needs of your household for at least one week.
- Evacuate immediately if called to do so.
- Fill sandbags to prevent water from running underneath and into your house.
- Before a storm
- Make sure you have a plan in place and are ready to put your plan into action.
- Listen to local weather reports on the television, radio, or internet.
- Know the location of your shutoff valves and be prepared to use them if so directed.
- Board up your house or have storm shutters ready to go.
- Make sure your emergency preparedness kit is ready and available for use.
- Bring yard belongings inside, and anchor those that can’t.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer down to the coldest setting to keep food cold as long as possible if the power goes out. This can also help reduce the load on your generator if you have one (as you can leave these appliances off for the first several hours of generator usage).
- Unplug electronic devices, especially if they’re not attached to a surge protector.
- Be prepared to stay in a secure room.
- During a storm
- Stay away from windows and unprotected areas.
- Do not use your phone or candles.
- Monitor weather conditions on a regular or NOAA radio.
- Stay organized, calm, and positive.
- Remain indoors even when the eye of the storm passes over because the storm will resume shortly.
- After a storm
- Make sure the storm has safely passed before going out.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the local authorities.
- Avoid disaster areas and only venture out for necessary items until cleanup has concluded.
- Use stored food and water and replace with fresh supplies.
Get in touch to learn more on hurricane preparedness and ways to protect your loved ones and your assets.
Additional resources:
https://www.jsausa.com/site/hurricane-resource-center/
https://www.travelers.com/resources/weather
https://blog.cinfin.com/hurricanes/
https://social.selective.com/hurricane-preparedness.html