How to Make a Hurricane TO DO List

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By Desula
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With the threat of hurricanes you need to make sure you have everything under control before it gets to you area.

Here is a Hurricane TO DO list.

It's a simple list of things every family affected by hurricanes should be prepared to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Items vary - listed by category.

Step 1

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

It's a wise idea to have your documents stored safely. The preferred method is scanning and saving your information to a flash drive. It's also wise to have more than one copy of this information, send it to an out of state relative. Also, keep your originals in a waterproof, plastic (zip) bag.
Here are some things you will need:
*** Insurance documents with up to date home inventory
*** Medical records
*** List of Bank Account and credit card numbers
*** Social Security card
*** Drivers license / car registration for all vehicles/ Titles to vehicles
*** Pet records - ID/immunization
Step 2

PERSONAL ITEMS

If you have to evacuate, or if you ride the storm out you will need to pack up some personal items so you can get to them with ease. Instead of hastily throwing things together - use your TO DO list to make sure you have:

*** Cash on hand, at least $100
*** Cell phone (and charger) - MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS CHARGED
*** Rain gear - with work boots and utility gloves if clean up is needed
*** 2 Changes of clothes - don't forget socks and underwear!!
*** Medication, extra eyeglasses and toiletry items - all of your medicines items stored together
*** Valuables/Family Pictures
*** PET items - if you have to evacuate, make sure your muzzle, leash and carrier are all together and ready to go.
*** FUN STUFF - Don't forget to put in some fun items for hours you may be in the dark, cards, coloring books, crayons, board games, charge up video games and laptops before the hurricane is due to hit.

Consider assembling items in a Rubbermaid (or comparable) strong plastic tote.
Step 3

PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY

*** Clean your yard, store lawn furniture, yard decorations, etc.
*** Trim dead branches from trees
*** Secure windows - storm shutters or plywood
*** Take down and store satellite dishes, antennae or anything else on your rooftop
*** Clean your gutters and make sure they are secure
*** Put sandbags around all of your exterior door frames (include garage doors)
*** Store your watercraft / Sea Do / Boats in a safe location
*** Cover your vehicles or store in garage or carport
*** TAKE PICTURES BEFORE the hurricane hits of your home, cars and anything else that could be damaged
Step 4

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THESE ITEMS AVAILABLE
*** TOOLS - hammer, screwdriver, chainsaw, wrench, plier, etc.
*** PLASTIC TARP - if a roof or window repair is needed you'll need this
*** CLEAN UP SUPPLIES - make sure you have items to clean your yard, and your home (rake, garbage bags, industrial broom, shop vac, Lysol, bleach, leaf blower, etc)
*** NOAA Weather Radio - and batteries to operate it
*** Flashlights and extra batteries

Comments

derbyka said

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on 9/6/2008 Thanks for the info, I'm new to Florida so this will come in handy

oneloved said

on 9/6/2008 Very thorough and informative!

momofour said

on 9/6/2008 Much needed advice during the hurricane season. I particularly like the one about pets. It is always so sad to hear about animals left behind during such events. When you have enough warning, people should take precautions for their animals as well as their family.