How to Prepare for Hurricane Season in 2021
In Texas, summer is for pool parties, backyard barbeques, and spending time with family and friends. However, summertime is known for hurricanes that can devastate the lives of Texans that could take many years to rebuild.
While hurricanes are unpredictable, you can prepare for hurricane season, and figuring out how to stay safe during a hurricane can make all the difference.
In this article, you will discover helpful tips for hurricane preparation and a hurricane safety checklist that will help you feel confident about the months to come so you can get back to the best parts of summer. Here is everything you need to know about hurricane preparation.
Prepare Your Home
One of the most important steps to prepare for hurricane season is by making sure your home is well protected. You can strengthen your home by covering your windows with plywood or storm shutters. This will help them brace the impact of high winds.
Another thing you can do to prepare your home is by trimming trees in your yard. Before the storm hits, make sure to clean up any loose and freestanding debris that can become projectile objects during hurricane-force winds. Lastly, you want to ensure that your doors to your home are secure and that your vehicles are in a safe location.
Gather the Right Supplies
Part of for a hurricane is making sure you have the right supplies. Hurricane safety supplies include non-perishable foods and water. Make sure you have at least of week’s work of any medicine and prescription that you may need.
Other supplies that are important to have are flashlights, candles, and a battery-operated radio. Having batteries in various sizes is essential. Make sure to have cash available and fill up your gas tank beforehand just in case you need to evacuate.
Review Your Insurance Policies
As you prepare for hurricane season you may want to review your insurance policy. Make sure that your homeowner’s insurance takes care of repairs brought about by a hurricane. Ask your agent or insurance company if you need to have a separate wind/hail deductible.
It’s helpful to know what your deductible is, just in case you have to file a claim. Learn what the replacement cost for your home is and don’t forget to review your auto or boat insurance too. If you are in a flood zone or are concerned about flooding, see if your insurance company can offer coverage.
Most flood insurances are purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. There is a 30-day probationary period before they grant coverage, so it’s best to take care of this as soon as you can.
Have an Evacuation Plan
Before the hurricane hits, make sure that you have an evacuation plan. It is important to know if you are in an evacuation zone. It’s wise to have different evacuation options with various methods for getting to a safe place.
Have a bag of supplies ready and packed in case you have to evacuate immediately. If you have pets you want to have a plan and supplies for them as well. Another essential part of a hurricane evacuation plan is knowing the fastest way to get to your local emergency room.
Prepare for Hurricane Season This Year
As a Texan, it’s natural to want to protect the things you love and cherish. Preparing your home, reviewing your insurance, and having the right supplies puts you ahead of the curve.
Having an evacuation plan with a route to your local emergency room in Corpus Christi or to a safe location can finalize your hurricane preparation plans and get you back to enjoying what you love about summertime the most!
Sources:
Operation Hurricane Prepare. AARP. (n.d.). https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/operation-hurricane-prepare.html
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2021, March 26). Assemble Disaster Supplies (Hurricane Preparedness). National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-supplies
US Department of Commerce, N. O. A. A. (2021, March 26). Develop an Evacuation Plan (Hurricane Preparedness). National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-evacuation
