Prepare for Storm Season: Ten Tips You Should Know

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

It's almost that time of year again.  We are enjoying early spring, but late spring ushers in storm season.  Here in the Southeast, we are very vulnerable to violent weather and hurricanes.  So it pays to make sure you’re prepared before the weather arrives.  Here are 10 steps to take before storm season:

• Locate and agree on a safe room. Plan to find the lowest place in the house, without windows.  Usually this is the basement or an interior closet or storeroom.  Meet as a family and agree to the plan to meet there in case of emergency.  Be sure that each family member has a plan for shelter away from home in case of a storm that doesn’t allow everyone to get home.


• Be sure to keep supplies on hand in or near the safe room.  These should include:  water, a water purification kit, non-perishable snacks/food, blankets and pillows, clothing, first aid, medical equipment for special-needs family members, pre-moistened towelettes, hand sanitizer, zip-lock plastic bags, disposable eating ware, duct tape, necessary toiletries, flashlights with fresh batteries, radio, cell phone with charged batteries, entertainment items, and pet care items. You may want a battery-operated laptop with a cellular modem to be able to connect with email and Internet.


• Evacuation plan. Have a plan if you will be required to evacuate due to incoming weather.  Don’t risk it--get out if an evacuation order comes.  Know the escape routes, plan for pets, have the car full of gas, etc. Be sure you have identification, medication, medical paperwork, insurance information, food, eyeglasses, money, credit cards, etc. with you when you evacuate.


• Plan for pets.  Make sure you know where the family pets are at all times and who is responsible for their care before and during the storm.  Develop a plan for their care in case of evacuation.


• A stand-by generator rapidly is becoming a necessary home appliance. Heating/cooling, cooking, communication, medical gear, etc. all are dependent on electric supply. A permanent stand-by generator fueled by natural or propane gas with automatic transfer switch is best. Portable gas or diesel-powered generators are ok for short-term uses but less reliable and more dangerous.  Be sure to follow proper venting procedures to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.


• Check insurance. Make sure your home and auto insurance is up to date and that you’re covered in case of storm damage.


• Trim the trees. Broken tree limbs hitting power lines or houses can cause a lot of damage. The best defense is pruning.  Taking the weight off the top of trees allows the roots to withstand higher winds and prevent damage.


• Install the shutters. New building codes in hurricane-prone areas require shutters or ballistic glass to be installed in homes.  But increasingly homeowners around the country are installing shutters that can be deployed electronically or manually in case of storms.  You also can use pre-cut plywood to cover windows.


• Collect all potential projectiles.  Clear the yard and patio of everything not attached:  lawn furniture, bird feeders, wind chimes, patio equipment, toys, etc. so they don’t become airborne projectiles.


• Secure valuables. Move valuables and irreplaceable photos to a safe deposit box to prevent loss.  Videotape the contents of your home, garage, and landscaping, and store the video in the box. 

Planning is the key to minimizing damage and preventing injuries or loss of life in storms.  So get ahead of the season, and be prepared.

If you suffer storm damage, call SERVPRO Fernandina Beach/Yulee/North Jacksonville at 904-729-2401 any time day or night. We’ll respond quickly and make it “Like it never even happened.”