As we head into hurricane season it is a good idea to make sure that you are prepared. Here is what we recommend doing to make sure that you and your family are safe.
Stay Updated on the Storm
Hurricanes patterns and predictions can change unexpectedly, so it is very important to stay updated on the whereabouts of the storm. It might not have been expected to hit your area and then suddenly it is and you need to evacuate. Watch the weather forecast and local news to find out the most recent updates on the storm, and if needed, best evacuation routes.
Have a Plan
When there is news that a hurricane is heading towards your city/town make sure to have a plan. Do not wing it. Come up with a game plan on whether you want to stay or evacuate and if you evacuate where are you going. Make sure everyone is on the same page as well.
Pack Your Car
Something that you should make sure to do is pack your car with essentials. Pack a small bag of clothes, important documents, medicine, a first aid kit, food and water. Make sure that you have a full tank of gas in your vehicle. You want to make sure that your car is ready to go incase of an emergency.
Follow Mandatory Evacuations
If your area is under a mandatory evacuation, just evacuate. Do not risk staying to watch of your property. However, they will not force you out of your home and if you decline to evacuate just be prepared. If you ignore a mandatory evacuation be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours, or longer, after the storm has hit. First responders may not be able to respond quickly and as efficiently due to power outages, floods, debris, etc. It is highly recommended to listen to state officials and follow evacuations plans and routes to keep you and your family safe.
Stock Up on Supplies
More than likely you will lose power and water during the storm so here are some things we recommend doing to combat those loses. Charge all electronics and portable chargers. If you lose power your landline will not work (if you still have a landline) so you want to have all your phones charged incase you need to call for help. Make sure to have bottled water, a couple gallons would be preferred because you never know how long you will be out of power/water. A trick is to fill up your tub with water before the storm hits so that you can still use your toilets, even with the power out. Another great tip is to freeze bottles of water so that when the power goes out you can throw them in your refrigerator to keep your food cold. If you know a hurricane is going to hit, try to eat all perishable food items beforehand so that they don’t go bad while the power is out, and make sure to stock up on canned foods. Stock up on batteries, flashlights, matches and candles. These will all be helpful for when you don’t have power. Pro tip: buy flashlights that use C batteries – these are the least used type of batteries and are always fully stocked at stores. It is also helpful to have a head lamp/flashlight so that you can use your hands if needed. Make sure to have a fire extinguisher just incase. Make sure that you have all of your prescription medications that you need, you might not be able to get ahold of them once a hurricane hits so just double check that you have enough. And lastly make sure that your first aid kit is fully stocked.
So that is what we recommend doing to prepare for a hurricane. There is no need to stress yourself out, if you take the appropriate steps and be smart you will be fine! If you have any questions contact us!
