Press play and read on! The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above average hurricane season this year. What does this mean to you and me? Well, it depends on where you live.
Residents of coasts likely to be hit by hurricane strength storms need to:
- watch the forecast
- listen to local instructions
- build a kit, make a plan, and be informed
If you live farther inland,
- know the plans of friends and family in at-risk areas
- consider secondary impacts of a storm (communications losses, product delays, transportation interruptions)
- prepare for temporarily suspended services (banking, government processes, mail, websites)
In addition to the tips and links listed above, I have included a few additional ideas.
- When an evacuation is ordered, go immediately. If you're trying to get out of dodge, you'll want to avoid last minute traffic jams and running out of gas on the highway. Use your disaster plan, get your go bags, and follow your communications plan (with an out of town contact) to put things in motion right away.
- Don't forget about your pets. Take enough food and water for a week or more. Make sure you have collars and tags on pets and that they travel in a kennel for everyone's safety. Plan ahead for pet friendly lodging.
- Make certain everyone in your family knows what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. Practice, practice, practice - especially adults (kids have already practiced lots of times at school.)
- Get your paycheck, social security, or other income direct deposited (and learn to use an ATM/debit card) so that mail delays and evacuations won't keep you from having the cash you need. Keep some cash on hand in case or power outages.
- Keep more shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food in the house than you plan to need. Buy things like cereal, crackers, cans of soup, and tuna.
- Take photos of you property, home, and valuable possessions in case you have claims later.
- Plan way ahead if you plan to board up your home. Lowe's offers some helpful product information, preparedness tips, and how-to videos on their website.
- This article from the Huffington Post tells you how to know a hurricane is coming without the benefit of technology, media, and communications.
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