Hurricane Preparedness

Before the Storm: What Can You Do To Protect Your Home?
 
Hurricanes pose both wind and flood damage potential, but there are things you can do to greatly reduce the impact on your home. One of your main goals is to prevent the wind from damaging the home in a way that allows water to enter and do further damage. Make sure your doors and windows are secure. Wind inside your home will push upward against the roof and try to lift it, while winds outside create a suction pressure, almost doubling the roof's load.
 
Despite the best attempts at protecting your home, damage may still occur. Take a look at your insurance policies to make sure you are adequately covered. Keep lists or video tapes of your belongings as documentation for the insurance company.

Cover The Windows

If you live in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, consider installing storm shutters. They are available in several different types, and they will go a long way toward keeping the damaging wind and rain from entering through your home's windows. As a side benefit, they may reduce your homeowner's insurance premium.

Secure The Doors

Steel entry doors provide the best protection for your home. Double doors and French doors are most vulnerable to high winds. No matter what type of door you have, a hurricane panel is your best option to keep damage at a minimum. These galvanized steel or PVC panels are available at your local hardware store. You can also nail plywood over your doors to help keep out water and debris. Do not nail yourself inside the house, in case you need to evacuate the area on short notice.

If you have double doors that have no structural member in the center between them, you should purchase and install special hardware to secure the doors where they meet. Bolts that secure the door into the framing at both the top and bottom greatly increase the door's strength. Wedge a dowel or a piece of broom handle into the track of sliding glass doors to prevent them from coming loose when the wind howls.

Provide stiffening support for garage doors. The pressure from wind increases with the door's size, and wide doors in particular need bracing for stability during high winds. Make your own vertical supports by nailing two 2x4s together and attaching them to the inside of your garage door with "L" brackets.

Keep the Yards Clear of Flying Debris

Flying tree limbs pose a great danger during high winds. Trim trees to avoid the possibility of large limbs doing damage to your house. In addition, selectively thinning out the branches to allow wind to pass through will reduce the potential for damage to the tree itself. Dead or damaged branches should be removed before they become flying missiles aimed straight for your house.

Develop a Family Hurricane Plan
Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

1. Secure your home (doors and windows).
2. Locate a SAFE ROOM or the SAFE AREAS in the home for each hurricane hazard.
3. Determine safe escape routes and meeting places prior to the storm
4. Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
5. Make arrangements prior to the storm for pets in case of mandatory evacuation.
6. Gather all non-emergency phone numbers and discuss the proper use of 911 with all children.
7. 7.  Prepare a Family First Aid Kit and put it in the SAFE ROOM.
8. 8.  Have a battery-operated radio for weather and safety updates.

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit:

• Water (1 gallon per person for 3 to 7 days)
• Food (3 to 7 day supply for each person)
• non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices
• foods for inf8ants or elderly individuals
• snack foods
• non-electric can opener
• cooking tools/fuel
• paper plates/plastic utensils 
• Blankets/Pillows, etc.
• Clothing
• First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescription Drugs
• Special Items
• Toiletries/Hygiene items/Moisture wipes
• Flashlight/Batteries
• Radio (battery operated)
• Cash
• Keys
• Toys/Books/Games for children
• Important documents - waterproof container:
• birth certificates
• insurance documents
• medical records
• bank account information
• pictures
• Tools 
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Pet care items (If not going to shelter)

Hurricane Watch vs. Hurricane Warning - Know the Difference

Hurricane Watch - What To Do

•  Listen to local radio and television stations for up-to-date storm information.
•  Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trashcans, hanging plants, and anything else that can become a flying object during a storm.
•  Cover all windows and doors of your home.
•  Fill your car/vehicles with gas.
•  Check your Disaster Supply Kit.
•  Turn refrigerator/freezer to coldest settings.
•  Store drinking water in clean jugs, and bottles.
•  Secure boats and trailers.
•  Make arrangements for pets.
•  Make arrangements for elderly and others with special needs such as those who depend on electrical life support.
•  Make arrangements for a shelter if you are in an evacuation area.

Hurricane Warning - What To Do

• Listen to local radio and television stations and listen to the advice of local officials on whether to evacuate or not.
• Complete preparation for storm.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows.
• Be aware that the calm “eye” of the storm is deceptive; the storm is not over. Stay inside until local officials say it is safe to leave the home.
• Be alert of tornadoes. Stay indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
• Stay away from floodwaters.

After the Storm - What To Do

• Listen to local radio and television stations for safety instructions.
• If evacuated, return to home when local officials tell you to.
• Stay away from disaster areas. DO NOT SIGHTSEE!!!
• Obey all curfews and emergency orders that are issued.
• If you must drive, drive with CAUTION!! Lights are down
• Use all four-way intersections as a four way stop. 
• Advise interested parties that you are safe.
• Call for emergency workers if medical assistance is needed.
• Avoid downed power lines. Assume that they are all live.
• Use flashlights in the dark, not candles.

Generator Safety
Anyone who owns a generator should be prepared to operate it safely if the need arises. Here are some tips:

1. All gas-powered engines emit CO, a colorless, odorless gas that can build up to fatally toxic levels. Generators must only be operated outside of inhabited structures in a well-ventilated area and should never be placed anywhere near windows, doors, vents or other openings.
   
2. If you're going to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a generator, pitch in the extra twenty or thirty bucks for a CO alarm. That's a tremendous     bargain for the life-safety benefit. 
   
3. Never operate a generator on the balcony of a multi-unit structure. The boundaries of most balconies force you to place the generator too close to your own     living areas, as well as those of your neighbors.
   
4. Never attempt to refuel a generator while it is running or still hot. Turn it off and allow it to cool before adding fuel.
   
5. Take extreme care not to spill fuel onto the generator or the surrounding area.
   
6. Read your generator's manual very carefully. Follow all directions and pay close attention to the electrical load rating. Never overload the generator.
   
7. Never attempt to connect a portable generator to the main electrical panel in your home. Not only is this very dangerous for occupants, it is also fatally     dangerous for electrical workers who are trying to restore power.

If you haven't used your generator in a while, or you're pretty sure you're done with it, here are some tips for safe storage:

1.  When you pull your generator out after any storage period, remember to inspect it carefully for broken or missing parts. Wipe off all dust.
   
2. Store the generator in a dry, well-ventilated area with the fuel tank empty.
   
3. Give it a good cleaning before storing. Remove traces of oil, dirt and other foreign matter.
   
4. Do not store near fuel supplies.
   
5. Do not store near appliances such as water heaters or pumps, especially if they are gas-powered.