Preparing for Hurricane Season
Another hurricane season is here. Are you ready? Rushing out to get bread and batteries when a hurricane watch is issued just isn’t good enough. As anyone who lived through SuperStorm Sandy will tell you, you need to prepare now. Hurricane season runs from April-November and a storm could pop up at any time. If you live on the East or Gulf Coast, pay attention to weather forecasts and storm outlooks. Make sure you have a battery powered radio to keep up with the latest weather reports should you lose power. Check your insurance coverage and make sure it’s enough, and don’t forget flood insurance. Get any roof or siding repairs done ASAP and if you have any low hanging tree branches over your home, or any dead or diseased trees, have them taken care of promptly to avoid a possible disaster in high winds. Once you’ve got those things done you’ll be off to a great start, but you’ll still have lot more to do. Read on to learn more about hurricane preparation and safety so you’ll be ready for any storm.
Stocking Up
Stock up on non-perishable foods, first aid supplies, bottled water, batteries, and other necessities now. Don’t wait until a storm is on the way and all the stores are cleaned out. Store them in a clean, cool, waterproof place and check regularly for expired or depleted items and replace them promptly. Prepare a Go Bag while you’re at it. This is a bag or backpack you can grab if you have to leave quickly. Pack it with any necessary medications, spare pairs of eye glasses, a change of clothes or two and extra socks and underwear, a flashlight, batteries, rain gear, a few days of food (if you have pets, don’t forget them!) a first aid kit and some cash (if power is out, ATMs and card machines won’t work!).
Dealing with Outages or Evacuations
If you know your area is prone to power outages, invest in a generator. It will allow you charge cell phones, keep your fridge running, run a stove or microwave for cooking, and more. It can be a real lifesaver. You should be stocked up on bottled water in case you lose water, and filling up your tub before the storm hits is smart way to have even more extra water. If your area has no power, stay indoors at night and obey all curfews. Should you be ordered to evacuate, turn off your gas appliances and the main gas connection if you can reach it, grab your Go Bag and any pets and go. Don’t ignore orders to evacuate, and make sure your family has an evacuation plan and knows where to meet in case of separation.
The Aftermath
When the storm has passed, be very cautious when going outdoors. Never drive or walk through flooded areas, you could be swept away by hidden currents, and you can’t tell what is under the water. Also, flood waters may be contaminated with sewage. Stay far away from downed wires and any trees that have been partially or fully uprooted. Inspect your home for damage and take photos if you can, then call your claim adjuster. Be patient though, chances are they may be very very busy.
About the Author: Paul Smith is a contributing author and recently retired interior designer, with a specialty in green construction, remodeling and modern design on a budget. He often recommends clients in hurricane prone areas check out https://www.grastengenerators.com/ as they have the best prices on generators and years of experience. He trusts their tradition of outstanding service, quality, value and customer care.