How To Prepare For Hurricane Season

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Emergencies can happen any time anywhere. We can’t prevent them, the only thing we can do is be ready when they come. Hurricane season is one of those emergency times that those on the coast need to be prepared for. One nice thing is that you should know a few days in advance when the hurricane will hit. But do you really want to be one of those people rushing to the store with thousands of others, trying to get the last case of water bottles from the shelf?

There are many things that you can do to prepare for hurricane season and not have to be one of those last minute preppers. One of the best things you can do is create a 72 hour kit.

A 72 hour kit is a kit that will get your through 3 days of an emergency. Ready.gov recommends that all households have a 72 hour kit ready and easily accessible.

Here’s what you need to include in your kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (canned foods, prepared meals, granola bars, protein bars, and other similar foods)
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid kit
• Whistle
•  Infant supplies if you have a baby
• Moist towelettes or baby wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Dust mask
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place (or a tent)
• Simple tools
• Extra batteries

You will also want to have clothing in your kit for each member of the family, at least 2 outfits for warm or cold weather. Blankets are also a good idea and if you can’t fit blankets in your kit, you might want to consider mylar heat blankets. They are very small and easy to store in your kit.

Other good items to have in your kit are: bleach, games, comfort food treats, matches, fire extinguisher, compass, eating supplies, paper towels or paper plates, matches, pens and paper, cash, and personal hygiene items.

This kit will help keep your family calm and safe when they are in harm’s way or dealing with an emergency. You may choose to have a kit that will work longer than 72 hours, it just depends on the room that you have to store a kit.

When you prepare for hurricane season there are also a few other things you should consider doing, along with the 72 hour kit.

1. You should make a family plan. If your family was to get separated during the course of the storm, or if the store were to hit while you were out of the home, do you have a set meeting place? Do you have a way to communicate with each other?
2. Learn if your property is flood prone. If you just moved, just ask your neighbors. If it is you will want to prepare for possible flooding and have a safe place on higher ground that you can move to if needed. You may also want to consider adding permanent shutters to your windows.
3. Heavy rainfall during major storms can quickly overwhelm vulnerable basements, making proper drainage systems and sump pump maintenance an important part of any hurricane preparedness plan. Many homeowners also choose to have waterproofing systems inspected before severe weather arrives, since companies such as Better Basements and Waterproofing often emphasize how functioning sump pumps and moisture control measures can help reduce the risk of costly flooding, standing water, and long-term structural damage during periods of intense rainfall.
4. Make sure all the trees and large bushes are well trimmed around your property to prevent any damage to your home or windows. Tie down or bring inside any outdoor furniture or appliances that might be able to blow away or blow into your home causing more damage. Clean out any gutters and downspouts so all the water has the ability to move away from your home.
5. Consider installing a generator or have other forms of backup power or alternative power. You can also get hand crank lanterns and other battery powered lights and cooking equipment.

In all of this preparing, don’t forget to have games and comfort food items (like chocolate!) on hand. It will make a stressful time much less overwhelming for your family if you can enjoy your time spent together.

Do you have an emergency kit? What items do you think are necessary in a 72 hour kit that are not on this list? What are some ways that you prepare for hurricane season?