Hurricane Preparedness

Your level of hurricane preparedness can have a significant impact on how well you weather the storm and how quickly you recover from it. Consider preparing your home, inside and out, now. In the end, you can never be too prepared protecting your loved ones and your property from hurricanes.

You may hear the terms “Hurricane Watch” and “Hurricane Warning” in your local forecast. Understanding the difference between them is essential to helping you prepare for a hurricane. As soon as a Hurricane Watch or Hurricane Warning is forecast for your area, it is important, begin or complete your preparations.

A  Hurricane   Watch  means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. Begin stocking up on emergency supplies in the event a warning is issued. If you live in a coastal area, you also should be prepared to evacuate.

A  Hurricane Warning  is more serious. Hurricane-force winds (74 mph or higher) are expected to hit your area within 36 hours. Seek shelter or evacuate, if notified to do so.

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1. Help Avoid Water Damage

Heavy rains have the potential to cause significant water damage. Hurricane preparedness can help you prepare your home.

2. Monitor Your Trees

Hurricane preparedness –  trees can be a hazard. Broken limbs or fallen trees — even uprooted shrubbery — could damage your home and fences, or your neighbor’s property.

Routinely maintain the trees around your home:

3. Roofs, Doors, Windows and Skylights

It is important to keep wall openings, such as doors, windows and skylights protected. The roof, doors and windows of your house are vulnerable to wind damage. When houses are exposed to hurricanes, roofs are susceptible to damage, followed by walls and openings.

Strengthen doors and windows by:

4. Secure Outdoor Items

If you live in an area that experiences high winds, outdoor items around your property that are not properly anchored can become airborne and  cause damage.

5. Strengthen Your Exterior Structure

During a windstorm, wind forces travel from the roof down to the exterior walls to the foundation. Homes can be damaged when wind and wind-driven water gets under the home’s siding.

Strengthen exteriors by employing a contractor to:

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