How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Summer time is almost here. We often think of fun in the sun, summer vacations, beach fun, no school and all the other goodies that come along with the hot weather. However, with good news comes bad news, right? The bad news is along with summer comes hurricane season. Hurricane season is a time of year when the tropics of the Atlantic Ocean heat up making way for hurricanes to form. Will you be ready?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A Plan
• Emergency Food (about 5 Days)
• Secure Your Home
• Backup Water Supply
• Full Car Gas Tank
• Portable Radio, TV, Flashlights, Batteries, etc
• Familliarized Homeowner's Insurance Policy
• Flood Damage Insurance
• No Procrastination. Some of these things can be done before hurricane season so you can be sure you're ready

1. First, plan ahead. Include: explain what to do about power outages, how to deal with injuries, what to do if you have to evacuate, etc.
2. Second, get enough food for about 5 days. Include foods high in nutrition that doesn't require cooking or refrigeration. Peanut butter, crackers and canned foods for starters. Keeping canned heat, camp stove, can openers and extra fuel might be a good idea.
3. Next, secure your home and make sure everything is in order. Board up windows and put storm shutters in place. Make sure nothing is outside that can be blown away such as grills and potted plants.
4. Obtain jugs and fill them with water. 4 gallons to every person.
5. Make sure your car's gas tank is full in case of evacuation.
6. Always have a portable radio or TV to listen to weather updates. You may want to keep a flashlight and/or candles as well.
7. Always remember to consider your insurance policy. Be aware of the kind of coverage you have. If you don't understand your policy, get your agent to review it with you.
8. Finally, remember that floods are very common with hurricanes. Regular homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program. There is a 30-day wait, so don't wait until the last minute.
9. Remember, Mother Nature doesn't wait, you shouldn't wait either. know what to do in advance before a hurricane hits.

Tips & Warnings

• PLEASE DONT WAIT TO PREPARE. YOU CAN START PREPARING AS EARLY AS YOU LIKE.