How to Prepare Your Home and Stay Safe
by Lourdes Garcia
With winds often exceeding 155 miles per hour, hurricanes pose a great risk to your home and family. Sure, weather forecasts have improved, but hurricanes can still change course at the last minute and land where you least expect them.
They lead to additional weather warnings for severe rain, flash floods, heaving winds, tornadoes, storm surges, mudslides and landslides. Protect your home and loved ones by taking severe weather warnings seriously and properly preparing for one of these incredible storms.
Some hurricane preparation falls under general emergency preparedness for all types of severe weather: Talk to your family about what to do in case of emergency, and maintain an emergency supply kit at home that is stocked with fresh water, fresh food, flashlights and batteries and other emergency needs.
Make sure that everyone in your family knows the evacuation route for your home and community, such as the nearest community shelter. If you have pets, determine the location of the closest emergency shelter that accepts pets, so you can evacuate with your animals.
Stock some fresh drinking water by filling empty containers or even your bathtub. If power is out or your water supply is contaminated in the storm, you can use this water for drinking and cooking, according to Seacoast Utilities Authority.
Before a severe weather warning for hurricanes, homeinsurance.com suggests that you move in all porch furniture, grilling equipment, trash barrels and other yard furnishings that are not nailed down. A hurricane's high winds could hurl these things at homes, fences, cars and people. Board your windows with 5/8-inch marine plywood to protect them from breaking. Simply taping your windows will not offer enough protection.
You may be asked by officials to evacuate. If this happens, follow the instructions given to you by the authorities. If you live on the coast, in a floodplain area, in a mobile home, on an island, you are more likely to be asked to evacuate your home before the storm arrives. Do not attempt to shelter in place if asked to evacuate.
When you prepare properly for hurricanes, you can ride out the storm easier knowing that you've done everything possible to protect your home. After a hurricane, you may still be at risk of flooding and storm damage, so remain in place until authorities lift the severe weather warning.
With winds often exceeding 155 miles per hour, hurricanes pose a great risk to your home and family. Sure, weather forecasts have improved, but hurricanes can still change course at the last minute and land where you least expect them.
They lead to additional weather warnings for severe rain, flash floods, heaving winds, tornadoes, storm surges, mudslides and landslides. Protect your home and loved ones by taking severe weather warnings seriously and properly preparing for one of these incredible storms.
What to Do Before a Hurricane
Some hurricane preparation falls under general emergency preparedness for all types of severe weather: Talk to your family about what to do in case of emergency, and maintain an emergency supply kit at home that is stocked with fresh water, fresh food, flashlights and batteries and other emergency needs.
Make sure that everyone in your family knows the evacuation route for your home and community, such as the nearest community shelter. If you have pets, determine the location of the closest emergency shelter that accepts pets, so you can evacuate with your animals.
Stock some fresh drinking water by filling empty containers or even your bathtub. If power is out or your water supply is contaminated in the storm, you can use this water for drinking and cooking, according to Seacoast Utilities Authority.
Before a severe weather warning for hurricanes, homeinsurance.com suggests that you move in all porch furniture, grilling equipment, trash barrels and other yard furnishings that are not nailed down. A hurricane's high winds could hurl these things at homes, fences, cars and people. Board your windows with 5/8-inch marine plywood to protect them from breaking. Simply taping your windows will not offer enough protection.
What to Do During a Storm
Remain calm. Listen to the radio or turn on the television to receive an up-to-date forecast on the storm's progress. Stay away from the windows and do not use the phone except for emergencies. Do not head outside in the storm, even if things clear out: You may be in the eye of the hurricane and conditions could turn dangerous rapidly.You may be asked by officials to evacuate. If this happens, follow the instructions given to you by the authorities. If you live on the coast, in a floodplain area, in a mobile home, on an island, you are more likely to be asked to evacuate your home before the storm arrives. Do not attempt to shelter in place if asked to evacuate.
When you prepare properly for hurricanes, you can ride out the storm easier knowing that you've done everything possible to protect your home. After a hurricane, you may still be at risk of flooding and storm damage, so remain in place until authorities lift the severe weather warning.