10 Tips to Prepare for a Hurricane
We hear often about hurricanes in the news. If you are new to a hurricane area, you might think that it may not be that bad. However, they are very dangerous and it is critical to take the steps below to avoid danger.
First, you should choose a safe location for your family to wait out the storm. This might be inside your house; you should think about a windowless room on the first floor or basement. If you cannot find a safe location in your house, try to find at least two emergency shelters near your house. If you or your family has special medical requirements, you should call your county ahead of time and work something out.
Another tip is to have a lot of food and water available. There should be enough non-perishable food and water in your house so that your family can live for 3 weeks. Your stock of food might get old after a few years, so be sure to check on it from time to time and refresh it.
Next, you should have disaster supplies on hand – batteries, flashlights, tarps, plastic bags, rope, and clothes for bad weather.
Fourth, prepare your home itself for the storm. You should make sure your hurricane shutters have all the parts you need and have some extra screws and washers on hand. Also have some precut plywood to cover your windows.
Fifth, have a communications plan set up with your loved ones. You could get separated during the storm. Consider having an out of state contact that everyone in your family is instructed to get in touch with during the storm.
Further, it is wise to have a good look at your insurance coverage. Companies will not write coverage when the storm is coming. You should make sure your insurance has sufficient windstorm damage to rebuild your house at current prices.
Also, remember your family pets. Shelters rarely accept animals. You should be sure to evacuate your pets ahead of time to a friend’s home before the storm hits.
Further, have enough gas in your car. Keep at least ½ a tank in each vehicle. Lines can get very long for gas as the storm approaches.
Ninth, make sure you have several hundred dollars in cash at home. ATMs could be non functional when the storm hits. Also have enough medicines for all family members, and have a good first aid kit.
Last, you should create a ‘take’ box that has everything in it that you would need to rebuild your life if you lost everything. Passports, birth and wedding certificates, adoption and divorce papers, copies of insurance policies, mortgage information, car and house title are some examples.
