Preparing for Hurricane Season

Posted by Amitava Sarkar on May 9th, 2016

April didn’t just bring in showers, it ushered in the start of another hurricane season. For those on the East and Gulf Coasts, it’s a time of great concern, especially in areas that have been hit hard in recent years. As anyone in New York City or coastal New Jersey can tell you, catastrophic hurricanes can and do hit even far north. Now is the time to prepare for the worst. Make sure your home and your family are ready. Waiting until a hurricane watch or warning is issued is just too late. The very first thing to do is make sure you have flood insurance. Even if you live in an area that never floods, you may be surprised at what a hurricane could unleash. Traditional homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage! Many people don’t realize this until after a flood happens to them. You should also make sure your home is as secure as possible. Inspect your roof and siding and repair any damage right away. Have any dead or diseased tree branches pruned along with any large ones that hang over your home or driveway. Once you get this done you’re off to good start. Read on to learn more about how to prepare for hurricane season.

Stocking Up

Stock up on non-perishable foods, first aid supplies, bottled water, batteries, and other necessities now. Don’t wait until a storm is on the way and all the stores are cleaned out. Store them in a clean, cool, waterproof place and check regularly for expired or depleted items and replace them promptly.  Prepare a Go Bag while you’re at it. This is a bag or backpack you can grab if you have to leave quickly. Pack it with any necessary medications, spare pairs of eye glasses, a change of clothes or two and extra socks and underwear, a flashlight, batteries, rain gear, a few days of food (if you have pets, don’t forget them!) a first aid kit and some cash (if power is out, ATMs and card machines won’t work!).

Dealing with Outages or Evacuations

If you know your area is prone to power outages, invest in a generator. It will allow you charge cell phones, keep your fridge running, run a stove or microwave for cooking, and more. It can be a real lifesaver. You should be stocked up on bottled water in case you lose water, and filling up your tub before the storm hits is smart way to have even more extra water. If your area has no power, stay indoors at night and obey all curfews.  Should you be ordered to evacuate, turn off your gas appliances and the main gas connection if you can reach it, grab your Go Bag and any pets and go. Don’t ignore orders to evacuate, and make sure your family has an evacuation plan and knows where to meet in case of separation.

The Aftermath

When the storm has passed, be very cautious when going outdoors. Never drive or walk through flooded areas, you could be swept away by hidden currents, and you can’t tell what is under the water. Also, flood waters may be contaminated with sewage. Stay far away from downed wires and any trees that have been partially or fully uprooted. Inspect your home for damage and take photos if you can, then call your claim adjuster. Be patient though, chances are they may be very very busy.

About the Author: Roger Crop is a contributing author and recently retired interior designer, with a specialty in green construction, remodeling and modern design on a budget. He often recommends clients in hurricane prone areas check out http://www.grastengenerators.com/ as they have the best prices on generators and years of experience.  He trusts their tradition of outstanding service, quality, value and customer care.