As we enter the 2023 hurricane season, it’s especially important for homeowners to understand how to take preventative steps to protect their families and liabilities. Climate-driven storms like these continue to wreak havoc. From knowing who you need to prepare your community for, to what actions they should be taking, to when, where, why, and how these efforts should be occurring — it’s a lot!
Homeowners residing in the path of these powerful storms need to take urgent steps now to safeguard their homes against hurricane damage. This advanced preparation not only prevents damage to assets but keeps family members and pets safe and healthy. This is why the National Hurricane Center strongly advises that evacuees be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. Don’t assume power restoration will take less time than you think.
Securing the Home
One of the first things to do to get ready for a hurricane is to protect your home. Window boarding up is now strongly advised, to save any glass that might otherwise be broken by incoming projectiles. Alternatively, homeowners can have their roofs briefly inspected before each hurricane season to make sure they’re suitable for the storms.
Beyond physical security measures, taking the time to anchor backyard furniture or barbecue grills can make a huge difference. If you don’t already, bringing these items indoors or locking them up now will make sure they don’t turn into dangerous storm projectiles.
“If you decide to stay, you need to make sure that you can be self-sufficient for days to weeks, depending on how long it takes for power to be restored,” – Brian Mason
Emergency Supplies and Important Documents
Getting together an emergency supply kit can be the first step toward riding out a storm in safety. Homeowners should stock up on emergency supplies, including flashlights, batteries, candles, medications, portable power banks and a battery-operated radio. Rotating nonperishable food for at least a week’s worth is required.
Further, it’s imperative to safeguard vital paperwork such as passports and birth certificates. Storing these important documents in a waterproof case, or even Ziploc bag, can prevent them from being lost or destroyed by floodwaters.
Families also need to keep their pets in mind while getting ready for a hurricane. Plan ahead for your pets. Store at least a week’s worth of food, water, and any medications. Have enough supplies on hand to last at least a week. We recommend bringing pets inside before the storm hits, both to keep them safe and to help them avoid stress.
Water and Power Considerations
Water is such an important commodity during a hurricane. Plan to store one gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person per day. Please ensure you can last one week minimum. Preparation for an impending storm Fill your bathtub with water prior to when the worst part of the storm may reach you. This provides you additional contingency reserves for washing or toilet flush if needed.
Homeowners need to know how and when to turn off utilities if their home gets damaged during the storm. Understanding this can help us avoid additional complications and dangers once a hurricane has moved through our communities.
“Think about what the worst could be and prepare for that and you’ll always be ready for what comes your way,” – Shawn Schulze
As families brace for the impact of a hurricane, creating a plan can help ease anxiety. Letting friends and family know what preparations you’re making can help put their minds at ease during what may be a challenging time.