How To Prepare For A Hurricane | 6 Effective Steps

When an imminent threat of a hurricane is announced, preparation comes first to ensure maximum safety. Hurricanes are a natural phenomenon in the form of floods, rain storms, tornadoes, or high winds. They can cause widespread damage during and after the occurrence. So, you might be wondering how to prepare for a hurricane to mitigate its devastating effects. 

Let’s get into this;

How to Survive a Hurricane?

Hurricanes can be predicted three to five days before their occurrence. The key to protecting yourself from its devastation is full preparation. By taking precautions, lives & properties can be saved to the full extent. Here’s how to prepare for a hurricane effectively;

Develop a Plan

Make a plan in advance, and it should include shelters and evacuation routes in your area. Rehearse the drill with your family members and make sure all of them follow the steps and do not panic. In addition, if you have pets, be prepared with the evacuation plans for the pets as well. 

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Prepare an emergency kit that contains all the essentials. The ideal kit should include water, non-perishable food, clothes, toiletries, flashlights, a radio, medicines, first aid kits, important documents, emergency numbers, a phone charger, sanitation goods, and protective gear. Apart from supplies, learn CPR  as well. This will save you from many challenges, and you can survive a few days without panic. 

Install Storm Shutters

Protect the windows, skylights, and doors with impact-resistant glass or appropriate shutters. You can use plywood as well for protection. Moreover, clear all the potential projectiles, including furniture or loose branches, as they cause damage in high winds. Use tarpaulin wherever required. 

Car Preparation

First of all, park your car on an open ground near your house where the trees don’t fall on the car. Also, get ready with your car with a full gas tank and a hurricane emergency kit in the car. If you don’t own a car, make plans with your friends or neighbors or call disaster management authorities for assistance. 

Collect all Your Valuables 

Make sure to secure all your valuables. You can pack all the handy ones and keep them with you for some time until you reach a safe place. Otherwise, it’s a good approach to have a proper insurance policy for your property and other valuables to avoid any significant losses. Always ensure that your insurance policy covers these natural disasters, as most insurance providers don’t include them. 

Be Ready to Evacuate or Stay at Home

When you are looking for authorities to guide you about how to prepare for a hurricane, you must consider following their instructions. 

Evacuation (leave your home)

If authorities order you to leave your house, make sure to follow these points.

• Unplug the electrical appliances
• Grab the emergency supply kit
• Follow emergency routes only
• Contact emergency numbers and ask for accommodations 

Staying at Home

• Listen to the news for hurricane updates
• Stay inside until the next orders
• Stay away from trees & windows
• Be ready to leave

Hurricane Preparedness List

• Food and water
• Sanitary supplies
• Fire extinguisher
• Emergency power sources (batteries & flashlights)
• Important documents
• Medicines
• Extra cash

Conclusion

At last, hurricanes are indeed a huge disaster and can cause damage to you and your house essentials. But staying calm and following all the instructions will save you and your family from the biggest disasters. Now that you know how to prepare for a hurricane and protect your house essentials from being wasted and damaged, look no further than the Greenwood Plaza for high-quality hurricane supplies. Get in touch with us to get yours, and stay safe.