How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Hurricane season runs from June through November and can be very dangerous to those living along U.S. coastlines. Winds can travel at speeds of more than 100 mph, and water surges can topple over 20 feet. The best method of defense against these storms is to have a good plan in place that will protect your property and yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wood
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Candles
• Radio/TV
• Gasoline
• Gasoline Cans
• Hammer
• Nails
• Matches
• Water
• Dry goods

1. Identify the category of the hurricane. Tropical storms are the weakest and Category 5 storms are the strongest with up to 175 mph winds.
2. Stock up on batteries, candles, flashlights and matches and purchase a battery-operated radio and/or television. The first thing to go during a hurricane is electricity. If you stay indoors, candles and a flashlight will be the best and only source of energy, while a battery-operated TV or radio will be your only source to outside communication.
3. Stock up on gallon jugs of water. The more the better. If a hurricane hits, the area's water supply could get contaminated and become unusable. The gallons of water will be your back-up supply for drinking, cooking (If you have a gas stove), bathing and other needs. Since they don't perish, you can never have too large of a supply.
4. Stock up on canned foods, fruits and other dried goods. Do not rely on living off of what is in your refrigerator. If a hurricane hits, electricity is usually down for several days. All perishable items in the fridge will spoil.
5. Bring in lawn furniture and any other outdoor objects that could become trajectory as a result of hurricane force winds.
6. Bring your pets indoors.
7. Measure any large windows that could potentially get damaged by falling tree branches or other objects. Go to the hardware store, purchase wood and have it cut down to the size of the measured windows. Also purchase large nails or drill nails. Board up windows.
8. If a hurricane evacuation plan is put in place, make sure to pack clothes, toiletries and important documents. Pack a birth certificate, mortgage papers, home insurance documents, marriage license and other vital paperwork.
9. Go to the bank and withdraw a suitable amount of cash. Area credit card machines and banks might become inoperable during a hurricane.
10. If you need to evacuate to a hotel, call the hotel a few days in advance. Rooms within five to six hours of the hurricane's targeted area fill up fast. Since you can cancel a hotel reservations 24-hours in advance, there's no harm in booking a room early.
11. Fill up the car or truck with a full tank of gas and fill up additional gas cans in case of an emergency. In a hurricane evacuation situation, most gas stations on evacuation routes run out of gas. And since travel times are extended due to traffic, be sure to have more than enough fuel to make it to your destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Charge your cell phone and be well-versed in text messaging. Cell phone towers will likely go down during a hurricane or will be cluttered with a high-volume of activity. Text messages will go through during a hurricane.
• If you evacuate to a hotel, most hotels will allow pets in hurricane situations. So take your pet with you.
• If a hurricane hits and you do not evacuate, do not seek shelter in an attic. Hurricanes occur mostly during the summer months, when temperatures are high. Attics store the most heat. This could cause heat exhaustion or death, as well as is not an escape route. If you plan to seek shelter in an attic, bring an axe in case you need to exit.