Hurricanes have always been a part of history. Hurricanes are severe storms of high winds and rain. They can be deadly and at best are destructive storms. Hurricanes like Katrina and the 1900 Galveston hurricane will forever live in the history of deadly hurricanes.
Hurricane Season Has Started
Hurricanes can be very dangerous and can often be deadly. This is why it is important to plan ahead and be well prepared. Planning ahead for a hurricane can help to save lives. It can reduce potential damage to valuable property. It can also reduce the stress of surviving a hurricane. On average, five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years. This period is known as the hurricane season.
I lived in a hurricane area for several years. During those years, I was very lucky to experience only one major hurricane, Hurricane Ivan. But those years did teach me that being prepared was essential for those living in hurricane zones.
Before Hurricane Season
If there is anything good about hurricanes, it’s that they can usually be tracked with great accuracy. Residents living in hurricane areas will have several days to prepare and to evacuate if necessary. There are even some things you can do to prepare well before hurricane season begins. Here is a list of things you can do to get ready long before there’s any threat of a hurricane.
Important Things to Do When Living in Hurricane Zones
- Make sure that all your trees and shrubbery are kept well trimmed.
- Make sure the outside of your home is clear of clutter. This clutter will need to be put away in case of a hurricane. Outdoor furniture (such as patio sets, chairs and umbrellas) and garbage cans will need to be easily placed inside. Prepare room indoors for these items. Doing this ensures they can be quickly moved inside if there’s a possibility of a hurricane occurs.
- During a hurricane, you will want your windows boarded with plywood to protect them from flying objects. Plywood should be purchased in advance and then cut to fit each window. Mark the plywood so you know which window each piece of plywood fits. These should then be stored in a safe place for the next hurricane because eventually there will be another hurricane.
- Chances are good that after a hurricane your home will have at least some roof damage. It is a good idea to buy tarps and store them with the plywood for the windows. After a hurricane, tarps are in great demand. Tarps will be needed to protect your home from further damage due to rain.
- If you can afford to buy one, get a generator. A good generator can run a few lights, the refrigerator, and the freezer which will save your frozen foods.
- One of the most important things you should do is make sure your home insurance is adequate. Check to be certain that it will cover your home and exterior buildings, structures and fences.
Be Aware Of Where The Hurricane Is Headed
I remember watching hurricane coverage for days. If there was a hurricane prediction we stayed tuned to the news. Even workplaces had the news on and we all spent as much time watching the news as we did working.
Important Documents
Store all important documents in plastic in a fireproof and waterproof safe. If you need to evacuate, you can simply grab this quickly and have your important documents with you. It may be wise to make copies of important documents. Keeping them in a bank or with relatives who are outside the hurricane area is a good idea. Documents that you should keep in a safe place include the following:
- All insurance policies
- Birth certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Property deeds
- Credit Card Information
- Medical Information
- Social Security Cards
- Vehicle Information
- Health Information
- All financial paperwork, checks and all savings and investment records
Make Sure Your Car Is Ready
Make sure your car is well maintained. Ensure it has a full tank of gas in the event that you will have to leave the area. Those that do have gas will also have a long line of people waiting to fill their cars. If possible, try to buy several five gallon cans of extra gas. After the hurricane, gas stations will take some time to fully function. You will need that extra gas for the car. If you have a garage, put your car in it. This will protect it from flying objects. You can even use your car to brace the garage doors. Park it as tight to the garage door as possible.
Supplies You Will Need
As previously mentioned, you should have a generator. It is more than likely you will not have power for several days after the hurricane. A generator can keep your refrigerator and lights working as well as some small appliances such as the coffee pot.
You should also have a supply of canned foods, bread, and various drinks including bottled water. A radio or battery-operated television is essential to stay updated on events. Ensure you have all different types of batteries available. Flashlights are essential, so make sure they are in working order with good batteries. You can also purchase headlamps which you can wear on your head while keeping your hands free. These lights can also let you read, play cards or games when there is no television. Kerosene lights and kerosene may be kept on hand or battery powered lanterns.
A grill or a camp stove is important. These will allow you to use any meat in your freezer. Otherwise, the meat may spoil. Without electric, you will need an alternative way of cooking. You will also need to keep several bottles of propane for the gas grill.
As I mentioned, you will need a good supply of water on hand, both for drinking and for washing. Before a hurricane hits, it is a good idea to fill as many containers of water as possible. Filling the bathtub is also a good idea. For drinking water, have several gallons for each person. It is important to ensure there’s enough on hand.
Money Matters
Having cash on hand after a hurricane is something you might not think about till later. Many of us have gotten used to carrying very little cash on us. We just pull out that convenient little plastic bank card. But after a hurricane, banks are not going to be operating for a few days till the power is restored. The same thing goes for most places where you might use your bank card. So it is important to have a fair amount of cash on hand. So don’t forget to visit your bank before a hurricane closes down everything.
Essential Food Supplies
The following items are often items you might already have in your cupboards. However, check to make sure you will have enough food on hand for at least a week. Before and after a hurricane the shelves in most stores will be empty so stock up early.
- Canned items
- Crackers and cereal bars
- Pudding cups and fruit cups
- Dried fruits
- Nuts
- Anything that is easy to open and won’t perish
- Bread
- Peanut Butter
- Canned milk or dried milk
- Bread and lunch meats
- Manual can opener
Additional Precautions to Stay Safe and Healthy
Anyone who is taking medications on a daily basis should have at least a week’s supply. Also make certain to check your first aid kit to make certain you have first aid cream, bandages and antiseptics.
It would be a wise idea to discuss your hurricane plans with your family. Everyone should know what the plan is. If you plan to evacuate, each person should know what items they will be allowed to take with them. They should each know the destination you will be heading for. This will help if anyone gets separated along the way. You will need to make sure everyone has a fully charged cell phone. This ensures all family members are able to stay in touch at all times.
These are some of the major things that you will need to do. These are items you should purchase to be prepared for a hurricane. You should also listen to your local Emergency Management office for local information. They can keep you informed where local shelters will be located, emergency evacuation routes and other safety issues.
Nothing can stop the stress, loss and heartbreak that hurricanes can cause. Lost personal items such as photos can never be replaced. But hurricanes can be survived by preparing in advance.
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