Along with all the perks of living in the Sunshine State comes hurricane season.
From June 1 through November, forecasters will be watching the tropics for hurricanes to develop and try to predict their course.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict this hurricane season to be an average one. It is predicting nine to 14 named storms, with four to seven becoming hurricanes and predicts that one to three will reach at least Category 3 strength.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advise preparing for hurricane season instead of waiting until landfall is imminent. Here are some tips to get you prepared for hurricane season.
Before the Storm
Get the trees trimmed
Simply by trimming trees, damage to homes and power lines can be lessened. Downed tree limbs and uprooted trees are a major cause of home damage and power outages. There is no need to break out the chain saw yourself, unless you just enjoy tree trimming. Many companies offer free or reduced cost tree trimming services to help homeowners prepare for hurricane season. A small investment into preventative pruning can end up saving you a lot of money after the storm.
David Wemer of All American Lawn and Landscaping advises that everyone at least have a tree trimming company come out and assess the property.
"I can come out and look at a tree and I can’t guarantee you it’s going to fall but I can give you a pretty good idea," said Wemer.
Wemer said a lot of elderly people aren’t able to secure items in their yard before a storm.
"We will pick-up and secure items in the yard and then come out after the storm and put them all back," he said.
Secure Windows
Windows can become deadly missiles in a hurricane. Not only can broken windows allow your home to be ruined by a storm, broken glass possesses a serious safety hazard.
Hurricane shutters are an excellent option to protect your windows from strong winds and flying debris but for those who lack hurricane shutters, old-fashioned plywood does the trick.
Thanks to Plylox clips there is no need to drill holes into your home to protect your windows from the storm. These inexpensive window clips can be installed in seconds and slide onto the edge of a half inch plywood sheet which is then inserted into the exterior window casing. The patented clips can then be removed in seconds after the storm. Plylox clips are available at most hardware stores.
Check Your Roof
It’s better to find out that your roof is in need of repair before the storm than after. According to the National Hurricane Center, shingles typically are not designed to withstand hurricane force winds which can lead to a leaky roof. A leaking roof can cause extensive damage to the interior of your home; therefore, it’s important to have your roof checked out before the storm. While there may be damage from hurricane winds, roofs damaged prior to the storm are bound to fare far worse. The Center recommends having a qualified roofing professional examine your roof to see if adhesive on shingles is adequate, if not, it recommends using a quick-setting asphalt cement to bond shingles together.
Clean-out gutters
FEMA recommends clearing rain gutters and downspouts. By clearing out the gutters you can ensure that rain water is diverted from your home, potentially preventing major damage to your roof and walls. Hometips.com, a home improvement Web site, recommends using a narrow garden too and plumber’s auger one to scoop out loose debris then use a high-pressure hose to wash out the gutters. Be sure to wear heavy work-gloves since gutters are often full of sharp objects.
Make sure you’re covered
Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have adequate coverage for hurricane damage, including flood insurance.
Inventory items in your home and take pictures of your possessions for insurance purposes. Store images digitally online so that if your computer is lost during a hurricane images are still readily available.
Inventory It!, a company in Ponte Vedra provides personal asset inventory management. A service like this can help you adequately inventory your assets so that dealing with your insurance company in the event of a disaster is much easier.
Secure Documents
Take official records and documents with you and have digital copies available.
Be sure to...
Hurricane.com, a Web site completely dedicated to hurricanes, is full of important tips to follow for hurricane safety.
Turn down the temperature on your freezer and refrigerator as low as possible prior to the storms arrival. In case of a power outage, this will prolong the life of food. Also, refrain from opening the refrigerator or freezer as much as possible as this will allow the cold air to escape.
Charge all electronic devices. Make sure your car and generator have fuel.
Move items that may be damaged during a flood to the highest area of your home.
Clear the yard of all debris. Even large items can become airborne missiles in strong winds.
Have an adequate supply of medication in case you are unable to get to the pharmacy.
If you have time, help your neighbors secure their home. Debris from neighbor’s yards can easily end up damaging your home during a storm.
During the Storm
It’s best to follow the advice of emergency officials and evacuate when told to do so. If you must stay behind, these tips can help to keep you safe.
Don’t drive.
If you don’t evacuate during a storm, it’s best to stay inside. While it may be tempting to venture outdoors to survey damage, you’re putting your personal safety at risk by doing so.
Stay away from windows.
Be aware that the eye of the hurricane is calm. You may think it’s over when more is on the way.
Listen to emergency weather radios.
Do not assume water is safe to drink. Flooding can contaminate the public water supply. Drink bottled water or if you have power, boil tap water. Listen for official announcements about water safety.
After the Storm
If you have evacuated, wait for word from officials indicating it is safe to return.
Contact friends and relatives to make sure that they are okay.
Watch out for washed out roads, debris and downed power lines.
Survey the damage and contact your insurance agent.
Be aware that there are companies that specialize in hurricane clean-up.
Check with professionals to be sure your home is safe to reside in.
