Before
- To begin preparing, you should have an emergency kit(See below about what should be in this kit) also have a family communication plan.
- Know your surroundings.
- Make plans to secure your property:
- Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
- Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. Do not trim when a tropical storm is near or has been named, wait for it to pass, debris should not be left laying around it can cause damage.
- Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
- Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
- Install a generator for emergencies. (This will come in handy of you are with out power more than a day.)
- If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
- Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
- Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
- Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
- Make plans for your pet incase of evacuation, pets are not allowed in shelters.