If you lived in Florida in September of 2017, you probably remember Hurricane Irma. The hurricane was immensely destructive, killing nearly 100 people and causing over tens of billions of dollars in property damage. It’s September again and our hurricane season does not end until November 30th. With that in mind, it’s important to know the best ways to prepare your home for a hurricane in order to protect your property and much more importantly, your family. Don’t worry though, there are a lot of things you can do to prepare you and your family for a hurricane.
It starts with knowing your general risk. Before a hurricane is identified or even before hurricane season begins you need to be aware of the different hazards that can arise if a hurricane hits your area. It’s true that while hurricanes are generally more destructive in coastal areas, mainland areas may be prone to flooding, strong winds, and even tornadoes.
You can click here for a great site to learn more about hurricanes and storms that have passed through your area. Additionally, it’s very important to know your flood zone and separately your evacuation zone. Being aware of all of these things will help you get a good idea of your level of risk for hurricanes.
Regardless of your level of risk, however, it is important to assess how much homeowners, flood, and/or wind insurance is right for you. You can consult an insurance agent in these areas to find pricing and details. Then make sure you fully understand the scope of whatever policies you have.
One of the most important things you can do, however, is make a plan. A plan is great because it will provide you with the processes and information you need to stay safe in times of crisis. There’s very little thinking or planning you have to do during the crisis if you’ve planned well.
When forming your plan, you’ll want to consider the capabilities of everyone in the household and what roles everyone may take on. It’s also important to plan accordingly if you are responsible for any younger children, seniors, disabled individuals, and pets. The most essential aspects of your plan should include your evacuation route, shelter plan, and disaster kit. Of course when planning all of these things, it’s critically important to be paying attention to your local and state officials for any updates.
Planning an evacuation route should involve determining your method of travel, when you will leave and where you are going, and ultimately the best route to get there safely and efficiently. You should choose several different locations as possible back ups. Is your destination pet friendly? Can it accommodate your whole family? The same should be done for routes to these destinations.
A shelter plan refers to how you will approach the disaster in terms of getting your home and family ready once the hurricane hits. Before the hurricane hits, you want to make sure your shudders go up and are secured properly on all of your windows. If possible, it’s best to place sandbags at your doors and a layer of plastic sheeting in between the bags and the door in order to prevent any water from entering the home. Now, if the hurricane is already there, you need to remain indoors, preferably the first floor if your home is multiple stories. Try to stay in rooms toward the center of the home and those without exterior windows.
The disaster kit should include everything that you’ll want to have when you’re hunkered down in your home. Common items include water, non-perishable food, flashlight, first aid kit, battery-powered radio, batteries, can opener, and anything else that might be essential to you and your family for a period of several days.
Whether you are on the coast or mainland, you have some level of risk. It’s important to be proactive and take the proper precautions. After all, it doesn’t have to be a major hurricane to cause major damage. As your realtors, we are here to help through whatever home crises you may face. We are equipped with the resources and network to point you in the right direction for any guidance you need. And as always, if you are looking to buy or sell your home, contact us today! When we help you buy or sell your home, we make sure it’s the perfect fit for you and your family. We work diligently to make sure everything goes smoothly during and even after the transaction.
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