If you have ever lived through a hurricane, you know how dangerous the event can be. However, new residents to your area may underestimate how dangerous they can be. If you want to be safe in case of a storm, prepare yourself by taking some simple precautions. Keep an emergency kit handy and move to higher ground if possible. Also, don’t forget to leave the area if possible. Hurricanes can cause serious damage, and you need to know what to do to prevent further damage.
10 steps to prepare for a storm
First, if you live in a hurricane zone, make sure that you are prepared to evacuate. Even the strongest house may not withstand a Category 3-5 hurricane. Staying home is a mistake; your safety should be your top priority. Prepare an emergency kit with essential items such as cell phone, charger, medicines, and identification. Make sure to turn off electricity and gas, unplug electrical appliances, and secure internal doors and windows.
If possible, make arrangements to evacuate your home as quickly as possible. If you live in an area where evacuation is not possible, you should turn off utilities, fill up clean water containers, and fill the sink with water for washing and drinking. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecast and obey evacuation orders. Finally, prepare to evacuate your pet. Listed below are 10 steps to prepare for a hurricane. Hopefully these tips will be helpful to you and your family.
Decide on a meeting place. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, it would be a good idea to have several ways to communicate with your family. Keep emergency contact information handy, such as phone numbers and address books. You may also want to download weather alert apps to your cell phones. Listen to local news and learn about upcoming hurricanes and prepare accordingly. This way, you’ll be more prepared and ready to go when the storm strikes.
Before a storm hits, check your insurance policy. Make sure it covers storm damage. Flood insurance can be purchased in some places. You can also protect your vehicles and other items with flood insurance. Make sure to trim back trees, as limbs can fall on houses or power lines. Pruning tree branches is also an important part of storm preparation. It may even save your home! The last thing you want is to have a house surrounded by fallen trees.
Keeping an emergency kit ready
Keeping an emergency kit ready for a hurricane is vital. While you may not need it every day, it will come in handy if a natural disaster strikes your area. If you know how to prepare and store these items, you can avoid a panicked situation in the event of a natural disaster. The kit should have medical supplies and important documents, as well as items you may need for personal hygiene or sanitation.
When preparing an emergency kit, make sure to include everything from infant formula and diapers to eyeglasses and hearing aids. You also should have pet supplies for your pets. Depending on the size of your family, you may need to include items such as food, water, and other essentials. Be sure to keep the kit in a cool, dry location, and check its contents at least once a year.
Prepare a disaster supply kit to keep essential items in your home for three days. Keep the kit in a convenient location, accessible to family members. It should include comfortable shoes for evacuating the area, as well as medications. If possible, gather the supplies for the disaster kit well before the storm hits. You may not have the time to go shopping, so be prepared to gather them early in the storm.
Keep an emergency kit handy if you live in a hurricane-prone area. Hurricane seasons run from June 1 to Nov. 30 in the Atlantic, but storms can hit anytime before and after the hurricane season. So, make sure to pack enough food and water for three to five days, as well as the essential items that you would need in an emergency. You should also pack a flashlight and any medications you might need in case of an emergency.
Moving to higher ground
A new book, “Sea Level Rise Along Americas Shores,” imagines apocalyptic scenes and millions of people fleeing their homes. Chase Twichell, a Florida resident, bought her apartment in 2011 in Miami Beach, knowing she would spend the next decade in the sun. She kept flip-flops in her car for the rainy season and had $400 million raised the streets near her apartment to prepare for flooding.
If you live in a flood zone, know where the highest ground is. Prepare your home for flooding by making sure you have a flashlight, batteries, cash, and emergency supplies. If your home is in a flood zone, move all important indoor items to the highest level. If you have a basement, elevate your electric panel and consider installing a check valve. It is best to stay up on higher ground, but don’t risk damaging your home with flood waters.
Leaving the area
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, leave the area as early as possible. If a mandatory evacuation order is issued, leave early to avoid traffic. The roads leading out of town will be crowded in the hours before the storm hits. Remember to leave early, and make a plan to arrive in another town as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to leave the area, the more likely you will be stuck in traffic or be caught in the storm.
Protecting pets
If you’re preparing for a storm, you’ll want to protect your pets, too. While we’re all prone to panic during emergencies, pets may also be at risk for getting lost during a storm. The sudden changes in the weather and loud noises associated with storms can cause fright in animals, making it easy for them to dig under fences and escape. Here are a few things you can do to keep your pets safe during a storm.
If you plan on leaving your home during a storm, make sure your pet is safe inside, where food and water are already available. Also, leave a contact number for your veterinarian, in case you need to get medical attention for your pet. Once the storm is over, it’s important to keep your pet on a leash for a few days. You may not be able to find familiar smells or landmarks after the storm, and debris, downed power lines, and other dangers can be lurking everywhere.
If you must evacuate, make sure your pet has a microchip so that you can trace it if it gets lost. Vaccines can help keep your pet healthy and safe. Also, be sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations, which are important for prevention of disease outbreaks. While you’re waiting for the storm to pass, make sure your pets have all the vaccinations they need. Viruses can make animals very sick and even lead to a loss of life.
Your pet needs special precautions during a disaster. You should have a plan for their evacuation. If you have a shelter, you can bring them with you. Make sure to contact hotels and ask beforehand if they’ll accept pets. A good place to stay for pets includes a dog crate, a pet carrier, and a litter box. If the storm is severe, it’s best to keep them indoors in a secure, heated cage.