Hurricanes and tropical storms significantly weaken when they make landfall but the remnants can still cause severe storms that would be best to prepare for ahead of time.
Hurricane season is upon us and while the path and timing of these storms can be unpredictable, the best way to minimize any potential damage is to be prepared. When a major storm is incoming, it is wise to keep yourself and your loved ones informed by following NOAA Weather radio and your local news outlets for current updates. In addition to this, we have compiled these 10 preparation tips to keep your home and loves ones safe:
Make a plan If evacuation might be necessary, be sure turn off all utilities and follow any additional community-provided disaster preparedness plans. Choose a common meeting place and a single point-of-contact for all family members to use in the event that anyone is separated. If you have household pets, be sure to plan for their safe evacuation as well.
Secure the exterior of your home Trim any large trees and shrubs to prevent limbs and debris from causing damage to your property and to minimize your cleanup efforts after the storm has safely passed. Bring all outside patio furniture, potted plants, bicycles and toys, and any other objects that have the potential to become projectiles and store them indoors. If necessary, it would also be wise to secure outdoor sculptures and other items that might sustain damage with burlap or blankets that have been tied on with rope.
Install storm shutters Protect your windows, doors and skylights with appropriate shutters or impact-resistant glass. If you aren't sure what type of protection would be best, MHP would be happy to help you figure this out ahead of time. As last-minute protection, you can also nail pieces of plywood to cover breakable surfaces on the exterior of your home.
Consider wall hangings and art Make sure all of your wall hangings are secure and take notes and/or photographs about your art collection to document any existing damage so you can reference this in the event that any of these items sustain damage during the storm. This will expedite the insurance process should you need to file a claim. Any art that is hung outside your home should be taken inside, and elevated off the floor in case of flooding. Click here for more tips on how to help protect your art and other valuables from severe storms, winds, and floods.
Shift your vehicles Flash flooding is common with tropical weather, so shifting your vehicles to higher ground and/or parking them in your garage against your garage doors would be recommended to prevent flood damage that might render your automobile destroyed. It is especially important that you do not park your vehicle under trees or power lines because strong wind gusts which accompany these storms can topple these over.
Power everything up Ahead of the storm, fill the gas tank of your vehicles and generators. Storms do not discriminate against gas stations and damage to these crucial locations might make it difficult for you to find fuel after the storm has passed. Be sure to charge your cell phone, test your generator and have plenty of fuel ready in case of power outages.
Unplug your appliances If possible, move your appliances and household fixtures away from exterior doors and window openings. Store smaller appliances in cabinets or interior closets until the storm passes. Unplug any electrical items that might be damaged in case of a power surge, as these could also become fire hazards when power is later restored.
Secure important documents Keep important documents, such as legal papers, birth certificates, marriage license, financial papers and insurance policy information, as well as valuables such as jewelry, in a safety deposit box or in a bolted safe in an interior closet in your home.
Prepare an emergency kit When the storm is incoming, gather your flashlights, a portable radio if you have one, extra batteries, non-perishable food items, bottled waters, cash, blankets, clothing and toiletries. Storms can cause situations where you may need to camp out in your house or leave it temporarily so being prepared for each of these circumstances is best.
Identify a shelter room Your designated shelter room should be an enclosed area should that is located on the first floor and in the central-most part of the house where you can safely distance yourself from any unprotected windows or doors until after the storm has passed.
We hope that these tips help you to feel more prepared for the storms this season and as always, if there is anything you need from MHP to help protect your home - give us a call!
For more tips on how to prepare for a hurricane, check out these resources from Ready.gov and you can also check out additional tropical weather specific infographics at Weather.gov