Living in the Southeast United States brings a lot of great perks: tropical climates, beautiful beaches and a sense of community that are hard to find anywhere else. But, with all these great benefits there is also the risk of major storms, some of which can be devastating.
Living in this area means it’s of utmost importance to prepare your home for hurricane season so that you, your family and your property stay safe. Here are a few tips to help protect your Southeast home from hurricanes.
It’s also essential to recognize the potential hurricane risks in your area and plan ahead. There are many resources available to help you understand the risks for your specific location. The National Hurricane Center is a great source of information to get you started.
1. Prepare Your Home for a Storm
Making sure your home withstands a storm starts with assessing its current condition. Inspecting your roof and windows for any worn down areas and replacing them with more sturdy materials can help protect your home from high winds and water damage. Additionally, securing outside furniture or any heavy items in your yard can prevent them from becoming projectiles during high winds.
It’s also good to give your home extra protection by installing storm shutters or plywood over windows. And if you live in a flood-prone area, you can also invest in raised home foundations or walls that can protect your home from floodwaters.
2. Organize Your Emergency Supplies
Having all your emergency supplies ready ahead of time helps give you peace of mind knowing that you are prepared in the case of a storm. Make sure to stock up on non-perishable food, water, and medications that can last your family for at least a week. Likewise, it’s wise to have a backup generator if you live in an area with frequent power outages.
You should also have on hand flashlights, batteries, a weather radio, first aid kit, matches, and extra cash. All of these items should be stored in a safe, easy-to-access location in case you need to quickly evacuate your home.
Lastly, make sure everyone in your family knows where to go in case you must leave your home. It’s a good idea to have a meeting at least once a month where you discuss the plan for different emergency scenarios.
3. Implement an Evacuation Plan
If a hurricane is looming in your area, it’s important to evacuate or shelter in place as soon as possible. If your home is impacted by the storm, your evacuation plan should involve getting to a safe destination with your emergency supplies in tow. Know your evacuation routes ahead of time and plan stops to fill up your vehicle with gas in case you need to drive further away.
Your evacuation plan should also include information about where you and your family will stay—whether it’s another home or an emergency shelter. Planning ahead can help avoid any additional stress and confusion during a chaotic situation.
Additional Hurricane Preparedness Tips:
- Secure important paper documents in a water-proof container.
- Listen to local media for updates and instructions from officials.
- Avoid storm-surge areas or flooding rivers.
- Unplug all electronics and turn off the main circuit breaker in your home.
Conclusion
Hurricanes can cause a great deal of property damage, but taking the proper steps to prepare your home can help minimize the destruction. Being proactive and understanding your evacuation plans and emergency supplies will help make sure you have the information and items you need in case of hurricane activity in your area.