Hint: You may protect your home or business from damage from a hurricane by installing impact-resistant windows and doors. Some of these systems are capable of withstanding impacts from large objects and may remove the necessity of boarding up windows or installing temporary shutters.
Preparing for a Possible Hurricane
A lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads. Assess your vulnerability and act accordingly to protect you, your family, and your business.
- Develop a plan for your family or business - The detail of your plan will depend on how vulnerable you are to hurricane hazards. The plan should be written and communicated with your family or business associates.
- Secure your home or business - By protecting the area where wind can enter you can significantly reduce the potential for damage to occur. There are five critical areas that you should tend to: Garage doors, exterior doors, shutters, your roof and metal hurricane straps or clips.
- Flood insurance - Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Check your policy and if it doesn't cover floods, inquire with the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Evacuation plan specifics - As part of your family or business plan you need to have specific details regarding steps you will take if you decide to evacuate.
Hurricanes 101
Disaster Gear Checklist
Your basic disaster kit should include:
- Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days
- Food - at least a three day supply of non-perishable food and can opener
- Batter powered or hand crank radio plus a NOAA Weather radio with extra batteries
- Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and water for your pet
- Whistle
- Cell phone with charger
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Cash or credit cards
