Hurricane season is fast approaching and it’s time to think about hurricane preparation. Over the past several years, we have seen the devastation that can take place due to hurricanes. According to the National Hurricane Center, the two keys to weather safety are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials. At Moffitt Services, disaster preparedness is a major part of our business. While we mainly focus on fuel preparation and disaster cleanup, we also want to help you stay safe and to keep your home from being destroyed. There are several steps you can take to ready yourself and your business for a hurricane.
Here are five things you should do right now to prepare.
- Have an evacuation plan in place.
If you live anywhere near the coast, or even within a couple hundred miles, then you need to have a disaster evacuation plan in place when a hurricane hits. If you live in a hurricane evacuation area, then you should find out what your hurricane evacuation route will be. Instead of waiting for a hurricane to strike, test the route now so you know what to expect. Plan where you will go, like a family member or friend’s home that’s in a safe place or to a hotel in another town. Choose several locations in different directions so you have options depending upon where the storm is headed. Make sure you have extra fuel for emergencies.
Businesses should have a hurricane evacuation plan in place. Make your employee’s safety a priority and test your plan before hurricane season arrives. Also ensure a way to communicate so you can maintain contact with everyone.
- Stock up on supplies.
If you’ve ever been through a hurricane, then you know difficult it can be to get supplies at the last minute. Grocery stores are overrun with people waiting in long lines to get enough supplies to outlast the storm. You can join the crowds and hope they haven’t run out of what you need, or you can prepare in advance. You don’t want to have to rely on shelters either as supplies can get sparse fast there as well. Everyone, and especially those in an evacuation area, should have a hurricane kit on hand. The kit should include, at the very least, water, food, blankets, and clothing. Some other important items to keep on hand include:
- First Aid Kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Local maps
Don’t wait until it’s too late to have supplies on hand to outlast the storm and keep you safe.
- Check your insurance coverage.
After the slew of storms that ravaged the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast in 2017, it is important to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage you need in case of damages to your home or business. In fact, it was reported that about 80% of Hurricane Harvey victims didn’t have flood insurance. Many people were not near the coast, but because of the torrential rain that fell for days over southeast Texas, the area experienced the worst flooding in hundreds of years. While many homes and businesses have basic insurance, flood insurance needs to be purchased separately. Contact your insurance company to find out exactly what is covered in your policy and make sure you have the coverage you need for whatever a hurricane might bring. Vehicle insurance should also be reviewed. If you have to evacuate quickly, you may not be able to take all of your vehicles.
- Backup important documents and data.
If you live in an area that can be affected by a hurricane, then you should make copies and back up all of your important documents. Store them in a different, safe location or in your hurricane kit. The most important documents to protect are
- Vital records, like driver’s licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, marriage licenses, etc.
- Insurance policies, including home, life, vehicle, flood, etc.
- Property records and deeds
- Medical information
- Estate planning documents
- Financial records, like bank account information, tax returns and investment records
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of documents you should keep, but it does cover the basics. If possible, digitize these documents and keep them in a secure location where they cannot be compromised. Also, let someone else important know where these documents are kept, just in case.
- Protect your home and business.
There are several steps you can take to protect your home from a major storm. First of all, make sure there aren’t any current damages to your home or business that a hurricane could worsen. This includes damaged roofs and shingles, and broken windows, etc. Stock up on supplies like plywood and nails so you can secure windows and doors. Also, make sure you secure anything in your yard or on your property that is loose and can be carried away or damaged by the storm. This could include playgrounds, lawn equipment, storage sheds, etc. Make a list of what you have, just in case. You may also consider trimming your trees if you have several on your property.
You can never be too prepared when it comes to hurricanes. We’ve experienced the catastrophe that can happen and know first hand how important preparedness is. If you need large quantities of fuel for your business to prepare for a hurricane, then contact us today. We can help you prepare for the worst and make it through the storm.
