Preparing for this year’s hurricane season can be especially stressful because of the global pandemic the nation is facing. However, it is important to stay prepared for any disasters. As the Atlantic Hurricane season is starting this June 1st, it is best to prepare now.
Hurricanes are one of the most dangerous and destructive weather conditions, which happen for six months in a year. Hurricanes can cause high winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and flooding which can lead to serious property damage as well as injuries and death.
The strong winds and rains of a hurricane can cause significant damage to both residential and commercial properties which can result in a costly repair. Thus, you must take the essential steps to protect yourself and your property to avoid any burdens a storm can do.
Below are some of the preparedness tips that can help you get ready for the hurricane season.
How To Prepare For Hurricane Season
According to the Weather Company, this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season will be much more active than usual, bringing 18 named storms, including nine hurricanes which four of them are considered major hurricanes. Follow these hurricane preparedness tips to keep your family and property protected.
Know Your Risk
Hurricanes do not only affect homes and people living in coastal areas, but they can also cause damage to hundreds of miles inland.
Make An Emergency Plan
Before the beginning of the hurricane season each year, create a plan on how to prepare and react on a certain hurricane and share your hurricane plan with everyone in your household. Make a plan that includes a safe evacuation route and meeting place in case you have to leave your home. Determine how you will contact each other in case you get separated.
Check Your Insurance Policy
Review your insurance policy to know if it covers flood damage. If not, it is best to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to ensure that you have enough protection if needed. Keep in mind that a flood insurance policy takes effect after 30 days upon purchase.
Build An Emergency Kit
Be sure to have supplies that can last for three days. Making an emergency supply kit is the topmost important tip of the hurricane season preparation. Your emergency supply kit should include the following;
- Water (recommended 1 gallon per person for at least three days, both for sanitation and drinking)
- Food, preferably non-perishable that can last for three days.
- First aid kit that may include necessary medications and prescription drugs
- Emergency power sources like flashlight and batteries
- Safety and personal items like cellphones, toiletries
Keep Important Documents in A Safe-Deposit Box
Store documents, like your insurance policies, proof of ownership of a property, medical records, and others in a safe-deposit box and place it in an area that will less likely to get damaged. Take pictures of these documents on your phone and create a backup copy.
Secure Your Property
- Clear your yard to prevent items from flying off during the storm and cause damage to your home. Keep lightweight outdoor items like bikes, lawn furniture, patio, toys, plants, and trashcans inside or in a shelter.
- Clean gutters and maintain downspouts to ensure that rainwater drains properly away from your home and prevent basement flooding.
- Trim tree branches that are near your home to prevent it from damaging your roof during a storm. Prune trees and shrubs for better wind resistance.
- Consider purchasing an electric generator to run a few essential appliances like a refrigerator or anything that makes life easier when the power goes out.
- Reinforce your home. Install window shutters to protect the glass. Fasten your roof with clips or straps to hold your roof on and reduce damage. Install garage door braces to prevent from blowing away.
- Be sure to know how to shut off electricity glass in your home when flooding occurs.
Know Your Evacuation Routes
Check with your local officials about the updated evacuation routes. Make sure you are familiar with them the hurricane weather forces you to leave your home.
Hurricane season is fast approaching so you have to be prepared for any disaster. Following these hurricane preparedness tips can help you protect your family and home from damage a hurricane can bring. But if your home sustains damage from a hurricane or flood, we are here to help you. Superior Restoration offers emergency response to any size of a disaster. We provide both content cleaning and restoration services ensuring that your home is safe and livable again. Our technicians are highly trained and skilled and ready to get dispatched to provide services and ensure that your property is safe to live in.
Contact our local office, Water Damage Ontario to restore your home today.
