Are You Prepared for Hurricane Season?
Living in a Hurricane prone area can be nerve-racking at times. Even if you don’t live in the home full-time, it’s still important to protect your investment. These tips can help prepare you and your home not only for hurricanes but other types of severe weather.
- Know your flood zone status: Whether you are in the process of buying a house, or have been living there for a while, it’s important to know if you’re in a flood zone or at high risk for flooding. If you are, you’ll want to consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood insurance can help cover things inside your home that get damaged during floods. Since policies vary, make sure to choose one that is best for your needs. Double check that any existing policies for home, flood or car are valid and up to date.
- Learn your evacuation routes: Be aware of the evacuation routes in your area, where shelters are set up and follow the guidelines laid out by your local government.
- Make arrangements for your pets: Local shelters may not accept pets so it’s best to call your local Humane Society to find pet shelters nearby.
- Keep an updated emergency kit: Make sure to include a flashlight, batteries, a hand crank emergency radio, a first aid kit, some non-perishable food items, water, money, any necessary medications and important documents that you’ll need if you have to evacuate.
- Prepare your home to weather the storm: Get ready for high winds and heavy rains by cleaning and securing your rain gutters. Make sure your hurricane shutters are in proper working condition.
- Consider hurricane shutters, screens, and/or impact resistant windows: If you don’t currently have hurricane shutters consider investing in them for all windows. Another good investment is upgrading your windows, doors and garage door to impact resistant versions. If shutters are not an option, you can put up plywood boards. Make sure to cut each plywood board to fit each window and mark them so you know which one fits where. Use at least ½inch thick sheets of plywood and get them ready before hurricane season.
- Trim All Dead Branches, Uproot Dead Trees and Remove any Potential Projectiles: Any loose object can become an air-borne missile capable of breaking through windows, doors, garage doors or even wall assemblies themselves. Torrential rains can then cause damage to the building components and contents even if the structure stays intact.
An approaching Hurricane can cause a lot of stress and panic, and preparing early can help make sure you, your family and your pets are safe. If you find yourself in a situation where a Hurricane is approaching be sure to follow any evacuation orders given by local officials. Don’t forget, hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Compliments of Michael Perry MSRE, CCIM, GRI
Consult Realty & Management
ConsultRealtyFl.com
