Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane prediction, tracking and warning time has greatly increased in the last 30 years. It is those who choose to “ride out” the storms that are at risk. Have your preparedness kit ready so it and the family can be thrown in the car (which should have a full tank of gas especially during hurricane season (June-September)). Take your valuable papers with you as hurricanes can completely destroy home and cars. Keep track of current Atlantic and Pacific storms with NOAA’s National Hurricane Center.
The primary items to add to your preparedness kit are food and water. Plan on roughing it for a few days to a few weeks after returning home after the storm. Businesses will be shut down for a period of time as well. If you have prepared by having a food storage and rotational system and have some rainwater harvesting storage then you and your family will fare well. Another very helpful item is a gas generator. I’ve been in those long lines looking for generators after the storm and they are near impossible to find. With the heat of summer and the humidity brought in by the rain and storm surge you will want some power to run the refrigerator, small A/C, fans, etc.
Tips for protecting your property:
- Bring in or secure yard items that can be potential projectiles
- Trim trees that will endanger your house or cars
- Secure and clear gutters and downspouts
- Tape windows and glass doors and cover the outside with precut plywood or, better yet, permanent shutters
- Move vehicles that will be left behind to higher ground
Action Steps prior to hurricane season:
