Hurricane Preparedness 101

Hurricanes are something that we, too often, don’t think about until they are bearing down on us. We rush to the grocery stores and gas stations to find lines around the block and empty shelves. Then, it becomes a race against the clock for the safety of you and your loved ones. Luckily you can avoid these major issues by preparing a simple hurricane kit before the beginning of each season. Make sure all of these items are in your home, before it becomes an emergency. Finally, be mindful of keeping your gas tank full during hurricane season and plan your evacuation route ahead of time, taking pets into consideration. If possible, make a trial run.

Hurricane Kit Must-Haves

• Extra batteries
• Candles or lamps with fuel
• Matches and lighters
• Materials and tools for emergency home repairs
• Prescription drugs and medications
• A three-day supply of drinking water (1 gallon per person)
• A three-day supply of non-perishable food
• First aid supplies
• Copies of all personal documents
• A portable NOAA weather radio
• A wrench and other basic tools
• A flashlight
• Pet supplies and baby supplies, if applicable

Protecting Your Home

Hurricane readiness extends beyond having a hurricane kit; the best time to start preparing your home for a hurricane is before the threat is imminent. The following precautionary measures will help protect one of your largest financial assets.

• Create a home inventory of your belongings for insurance purposes
• Check your homeowner's policy limit
• Ensure you have a flood policy (90% of hurricanes include some form of flooding, which is not covered by general homeowner's insurance)
• Cut weak branches or trees hanging above your home
• Check to see if your windows and doors are hurricane-proof
• Check to see if your garage is certified for wind pressure and impact protection
• Purchase hurricane shutters ahead of time and have someone on speed dial to install them
• Purchase sand bags to alleviate any flooding
• Consider purchasing a generator for long-term outages
• Clean gutters 
• If a threat is imminent, bring outdoor furniture inside, which could turn into projectiles

We want everyone in our community to feel safe and confident during hurricane season. If you have any questions about this guide, please contact us here.