Officially, the hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. Hurricanes are powerful and unpredictable storms that may result in immense damages within their path. To remain safe and protect your premises in a hurricane, preparedness is essential. Check out how to get ready for hurricanes and things to do during and following one.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Before Hurricane
- Produce an emergency kit. FEMA recommends packing the following items on your emergency kit:
- Water for drinking and sanitation to endure three or more days;
- Non-perishable meals for a minimum of three days;
- Hand crank or battery-powered radio (tuned in to NOAA Weather Radio), in addition to spare batteries;
- Flashlight with extra batteries;
- First aid kit;
- Whistle to phone for help;
- Dust mask, plastic sheeting, and duct-tape for shelter making;
- Moist towelettes and trash bags for sanitation;
- Pliers or wrench to turn off utilities;
- Can opener;
- Neighborhood maps;
- Cell phone with an excess charger.
- Learn your region’s flood risk and community hurricane evacuation routes. Know the geographical area you live in.
- Produce a family evacuation plan. Determine a meeting place for your loved one’s members and routes to get there. Plan how to get in touch with your family when separated. Plan where you are going to go if you must evacuate, like a shelter.
- In case you don’t have a flood insurance policy, get one today. Regular homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
- Find out whether your premises is flood-prone due to its altitude level.
- If there are levees and dams in your area, find out if they pose a hazard for you if the storm strikes.
- Store copies of important files, such as evidence of possession of any property on your emergency kit.
- Back up the data on your electronic devices to ensure it’s protected if your computer or other devices are damaged during the hurricane.
Secure Your Home
- Secure your roof. Make your roof and frames stronger by installing reinforcements, such as clips or straps. Also, secure loose tiles with heavy-duty adhesive and seal around your house’s chimney or vent pipes to keep water out.
- Maintain gutters and downspouts. Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent clogs. These could lead to water damage to your home when the rain begins to pour. Also, ensure your gutters are powerful and not sagging.
- Secure your windows. Strong winds can shatter your windows, leaving your house vulnerable. The perfect way to protect your windows is to install permanent storm shutters, which can be made from steel, aluminum, and other materials. Installing plywood is also a good shield for the windows. However, avoid taping because it doesn’t prevent the glass from breaking up.
- Caulk your home. Caulking is a fast way to waterproof your house and reinforce vulnerable places. Caulk around your doors and windows, the borders of your house, and about chimneys and other roof penetrations.
- Insulate the exterior floor walls with stiff foam or install plastic sheeting. It won’t prevent all the water from getting in, but most of the silt will be stored out.
- To create it withstand powerful winds, secure your garage door with a brace kit rated for storm and hurricane winds. Other approaches to fortify your garage are installing a metal pole system or covering the doorway with metal panels, fabric screen, or 5/8-inch plywood.
- Loose branches in your yard (and locality) could be struck by powerful winds through a storm, damaging your house. So cut those loose or dead branches to protect your property.
- Your lawn may also host objects that could become projectiles in high winds. Tie down and secure anything that could be caught up by slopes, such as potted plants, lawn furniture, and dog houses. When a storm is imminent, bring light objects inside.
- As you need to unplug electrical devices during a powerful storm, then it’s ideal to also buy a surge protector.
- Move valuables to a higher floor. As appliances and electronics are susceptible to water damage, move them into a high floor. If you can’t, at least lift them off the floor on concrete cubes.
- Use sandbags when a storm is hours from coming. Pile up sandbags at least two feet as an efficient barricade against floodwaters. If you don’t have sandbags, place heavy-duty garbage bags — stuffed one-third of the way with water — around your home doors. If you are planning to evacuate, stock your vehicle with emergency supplies.
- Charge your mobile phone to have a complete battery when the power goes out.
- Switch your refrigerator into the coldest setting so that meals last longer during a power outage.
- Be alert for the most recent weather updates and emergency directions.
Throughout the Hurricane
- If police counsel or order you to evacuate your area, take your emergency kit and depart immediately. Strictly follow posted evacuation routes or attempt to take shortcuts.
- If you’re outside along with the storm tactics, get inside whenever possible to avoid being struck by flying debris.
- If your house is on the low-lying ground or whether you’re in a mobile home, go to the nearest safe location, such as a shelter.
- While inside, steer clear of windows, doors, skylights, and glass doors. Find a safer spot to stay in, such as an interior room or a bath at the lower level.
- During the storm, electrical wiring may be damaged; don’t use electric appliances to prevent fire hazards and electrical shocks.
- If your house is below the danger of flooding, turn off power at the main circuit breaker. Do not turn on electricity until local authorities have advised you to do so.
- Never use gasoline-powered or charcoal-burning apparatus inside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep those devices outside.
- If trapped in a building that’s flooding, go to the highest degree. However, don’t climb into a closed loft as rising floodwater may trap you.
- Lightning is also a security threat. Stay protected from lightning in your house during a storm by NOT using the shower, telephone, or electric equipment.
- Be conscious that the eye of the storm may pass over your area, where the storm will probably calm. On the other hand, the storm can begin again without warning.
- Stay indoors until the local authorities have declared that the storm is finished. Listen to the radio or turn on the TV (if secure do this) to get the most recent updates.
After the Hurricane
- Cling to the police for information and specific instructions. Just six inches of tepid to warm water can knock you down, and a single foot of water can sweep your car off. Floodwater can also contain contaminants, harmful debris, or downed power lines.
- Enter a damaged building only after the electrical system, gas lines, and plumbing have been inspected for damage.
- Take photos of any property damage and contact your insurance provider for aid. Wear protective equipment like gloves, safety glasses, rubber boots, and masks when inspecting your home.
- Don’t touch wet electric equipment, more so in case, you are standing in water.
- Throw out food that’s been exposed to floodwaters or has not been maintained at the right temperature. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Do not drink tap water in case you are not sure it’s safe.
For flooding cleanup services, get the PuroClean drying professionals
Water damage in your property can still occur even if you’ve followed appropriate strategies on how to prepare for hurricanes. After a flooding event, everything that got wet in your house must be dried, cleaned, and disinfected promptly.
For water removal services, water damage cleanup, and mold cleaning solutions, contact PuroClean immediately. Our team will arrive at your place promptly to stop additional water damage and mold growth. Click this link to learn more.