How to Prepare for Hurricanes

When hurricanes and other natural disasters strike, the key to protecting family and property is preparation. Whether it comes in the form of a hurricane or other major storm, tornado, flood, wildfire, or act of terror, or an individual emergency such as a house fire, being prepared can make the difference between life and death.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• First aid kit
• Portable radio
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable foods
• Can opener
• Mini tool kit (the kind you can hang on your belt)
• Copies of personal legal and financial documents
• Safe deposit box
• Camera for photographing home possessions

1. Have a family emergency plan. It should include escape routes from the house, with a designated rallying point (such as at a neighbor’s house). In case of big disasters, such as hurricanes, designate a meeting place away from your area, as well as a contact person who can coordinate communications. This might be a relative in a neighboring state.
2. Prepare a hurricane pack, a home survival kit that includes first aid supplies, portable radio, flashlight and fresh batteries, enough bottled drinking water for three days, non-perishable foods, a can opener, and adequate supplies of medications. The idea is to be able to survive if you find yourselves cut off from rescue.
3. Assemble a grab-and-go bag with copies of all important documents (insurance policies, credit cards, phone numbers of family members and financial professionals, vehicle titles, etc.), cash, and energy bars. When packing this bag, assume all records left behind will be lost.
4. If you have pets, make arrangements for them in advance, since shelters will not allow them.
5. Create a long-term plan to protect documents and property. This should include taking photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes and putting them in a safe deposit box.
6. Review and update your homeowner’s insurance. Consider whether it should include a living expense clause in case you are prevented from returning to your home for an extended period of time. Also, decide if you need flood insurance, which is not covered by most homeowner policies.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid flashlight battery problems by buying crank-powered flashlights.
• Over-prepare. Hope for the best but plan for the worst
• Assume you may be totally cut off for up to a week: No ATM, no functioning phones, no electricity.
• In Hurricane Katrina, some people refused to evacuate because they did not want to leave their pets behind. Discuss and decide your priorities in advance.