How to Plan for a Hurricane

With Hurricane Preparedness Week upon us, now is the time to plan for a hurricane if you have not already done so, and you live in a Hurricane prone area. Hurricane season officially starts on June 1 and runs through November 30. The experts agree that being unprepared and unaware is, unfortunately, a common thread that runs through all prior hurricane disasters. Now is the time to plan and prepare so if the time comes when you must evacuate, or pick up the pieces after a hurricane, you will be ready.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Insurance - Windstorm and Flood
• Plan - Evacuation and Post Hurricane
• Supplies - For prepping home and sustaining family

1. 
    

   The first step is to ensure that you are covered by insurance should the worst case scenario happen and your home or personal belongings are damaged by a hurricane. This means that you have Windstorm and Flood Insurance. Very rarely will a homeowner's policy cover the water damage from the surge in a hurricane. You do not want to be surprised after the fact. Also, make sure you have sufficient coverage to cover all of your belongings. Don't forget your other high ticket items like cars and boats. These are often the two items that sustain the most damage from a hurricane. Make an inventory of what you have and take photos of your high dollar items. Also take photos around the inside and outside of your home, to get a good sense of the before. Keep all your important papers together in a waterproof and, if possible, fireproof container.

2. 
    

   Now that you know that your home and possessions are covered by insurance from hurricane damage, it is time to make a plan for evacuation. If a mandatory evacuation from a hurricane is declared, you do not want to be deciding then where and how you will do it. Decide as a family under what circumstances you will evacuate and where you will go. Make sure that your plan takes you as far away from the possible landfall of the hurricane as possible. Of course, you won't know this if you make a plan prior to the information on the track of the hurricane, but you can build contingencies into your plan. Watch and listen to the experts from the Hurricane Center at the National Weather Service as the hurricane approaches so you can tweak your plan. Make a list of what items will go with you, and know where they are. Make sure that you list everything that is essential to your life during and after the hurricane. Plan also for what you will do with your extra cars, boats, RV's, etc; and, of course, what you will do with your pets. If you leave them, they may perish. If you plan on going to a hurricane shelter find out now if they will take pets.

3. 
    

   The next step in your hurricane plan is to gather the supplies for preparing your home. You will need shutters or plywood, as well as the tools to install them. If you have the financial resources, most insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance if you install hurricane shutters. Also, now is the time to buy a generator if you can. Don't wait until there is a run on them as the hurricane is bearing down on you. Availability may be scarce and prices will go up. You may be without power for an extended period of time. Don't forget items like duct tape, something to use to tie things down, and plastic tarps. Some supplies for after the hurricane passes may include heavy duty long work gloves, a particulate mask or respirator, and iodine-based water germicidal tablets to purify your water.

4. 
    

   Put together a hurricane supply kit. You can use this whether you plan to evacuate or not. Your kit should include:
   * Water (at least 1 gal. per day per person for 3-7 days)- You can keep 2.5 gal. collapsible jugs make of low-density polyethylene ready and fill them before the hurricane comes.
   * nonperishable food, cooking fuel and utensils, and disposable plates/utensils (make sure you have a hand crank can opener).
   * First Aid Kit, along with a sufficient supply of necessary medications to get you through a week.
   * Toiletries (Moist towelettes will come in particularly handy when you have no running water).
   * LED flashlight and plenty of batteries
   * Hand crank powered AM/FM/Weather radio
   * Fully charged cell phone with an extra battery or hand crank charger
   * Blankets, pillows and clothing
   * Pet care supplies to last for a week
   * All fuel tanks of vehicles you will be using should be full
   * Cash - ATM's will often be empty and if you lose power you won't be able to access them and often will not be able to use a credit card at local merchants.

5. 
    

   Finally, if you do stay put, make sure you have considered all the hazards the hurricane will bring. Storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Ensure that you know what room in your house will be the safe room. That is the room where you are least likely to get hurt should a window break or flood waters rise in your house. If you have children or elderly in your household, seriously consider evacuation.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you turn off all the utilities you can before you leave your home in a hurricane evacuation.
• Don't wait until the last minute to get cash and gas.
• If you have a boat and need to store it at a marina during the hurricane, make sure they have a space reserved for you. Slips go fast.
• Don't panic and always ensure that the safety of your family, and pets, come before the preservation of your possessions.

Resources

• National Hurricane Center

[billips]

on 6/5/2009 Hurricanes can be terrifying - this is good information to keep in mind - 5* - B.

[JeannieKerns]

on 5/30/2009 I have went through numerous hurricanes... Andrew in 92 being the worst.. Lost everything we owned in a matter of hours.. This information is vital to those who just do not realize how powerful they can be!

[langleycornwell]

on 5/30/2009 We've lived through 2 hurricanes. This is very good and helpful advice, 5*s.