So, you have a major hurricane heading your way and you want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for the big storm. Or maybe you just moved to an area where hurricanes are prominent and you want to make sure you’re ready for your first one.
Regardless of your situation, it’s a good idea to know what to do in a hurricane well in advance of one arriving. Because if you have a good plan, you can make sure you, your family, and even your home are protected.
So what are the best ways to stay safe during a hurricane? And what are some things you can do to protect your home? We have the answers to those questions, and more, in this article!
Now then, let’s get started!
1. Plan Your Escape Route
Even if you don’t think there’s a chance that you’re going to evacuate, it’s a good idea to plan an escape route, just to be safe. This should include not only what route you’re going to take to leave the area but also where you plan to stay afterward.
If you have friends or family nearby that aren’t in the path of the storm, contact them beforehand. Let them know that, if things get bad, you’ll be paying them a visit, so they can be ready, too.
2. Have an Emergency Kit Ready
If you do plan to stay home and wait out the storm, be sure to pay close attention to the rest of this list. Everything we discuss from here on out will be especially important for anyone who doesn’t plan to leave before the storm.
A good place to start your planning, in particular, is to create an emergency kit. Not sure what you need for your emergency kit? The folks at FEMA have created a list of everything that you should have in your home so you can be safe before, during, and after the storm.
3. Create a Communication Plan
In a worst-case scenario, there’s a chance that you and everyone in your home could be separated. Because of this, it’s a good idea to plan for the worst and create a communication plan that everyone is aware of.
Something as simple as a meet-up point, or a common person to contact who isn’t in the path of the storm, is a great place to start.
4. Review Your Insurance Policies
A few days before the storm arrives, be sure to review your insurance policy to make sure everything is up to date and current. Sometimes certain coverages can lapse without you knowing, which isn’t something you want to deal with after a storm.
Hurricane damage is one of the most common types of property damage claims available, check out this article for more info. So be sure to take the time to make sure you have the coverage you need before the storm arrives.
5. Board Up Your Doors and Windows
Most people are aware that boarding up your doors and windows before a major storm is a good idea. Doing this is easy, and takes more time than skill, so don’t be overwhelmed if you need to do it for your home.
However, be sure to get the supplies you need early before your local hardware stores run out. In fact, it’s a good idea to get the supplies and store them in your garage, if you can, so you already have them.
Another pro tip? Once you’re boarded up, label the boards with spray paint and them save them once the storm is over. That way you’ll have everything you need the next time a big storm rolls through your area.
6. Protect Your Vehicles
One of the hardest things to protect in a major storm, like a hurricane, is your vehicles. And if you don’t have a place to store them during the storm, like a garage, you may think you can’t do anything to protect them.
Well, that’s not necessarily true.
Besides removing any valuables from your vehicle to protect them from the storm, you can also make sure your insurance policies are up to date. Keeping flood coverage on your car at all times is a good idea, too, if you live in an area where tropical storms and hurricanes are an issue.
7. Don’t Take Any Risks
It can’t be overstated just how dangerous hurricanes can be. So if you feel like you and your family are in serious danger, it’s probably for the best if you evacuate the area.
Don’t take any unnecessary risks. You can’t protect your home or your belongings by being there, so load up your family and your pets and get out of harm’s way.
What to Do in a Hurricane
Well, there you have it. Now you know what to do in a hurricane, even if you’ve never experienced one before.
As you can see, what you do before the hurricane arrives is without a doubt the most important. Being prepared for the worst, and even evacuating before the storm arrives, is the key to making things go as smoothly as possible.
If you do decide to stay home during the storm, have an emergency kit and communication plan in place. Make sure you board up all of your doors and windows, too.
Lastly, confirm before the storm arrives that all of your insurance policies on both your home and vehicles are up to date.
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