Another hurricane season is upon us and your level of preparation before a hurricane 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, long before a storm is in the forecast. In the end, you can never be too prepared when it comes to protecting your loved ones and your property from hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
Know the Forecast
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, depending on the type of alert, to immediately 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.
General Hurricane Preparation Tips
- Prepare a survival kit that includes items such as water, non-perishable food and medications for everyone, including your pets; a portable radio; flashlights; batteries; and battery chargers for your cell phones and other portable electronic devices, which can be powered by your car.
- Build an inventory of the items in your home.
- Plan your evacuation routes and leave as soon as an evacuation order is issued. Also, fuel up your car before you leave.
- Secure all outdoor objects or move them inside. Close your home’s storm shutters and board up windows and glass doors as appropriate.
- If possible, bring in gas or charcoal grills, but do not use them indoors. Also, do not store propane tanks inside the house or garage. Chain propane tanks in an upright position to a secure object away from your home.
- Fill your emergency generator fuel tank, if you have one, and have spare fuel on hand. Store generator fuel in an approved container in a garage away from open flames, heat sources and appliances such as natural gas appliances.
The Four Hurricane Myths
Myth #1 – You Only Need to Protect the Windows Facing the Water
Hurricane-force winds can turn landscaping materials and other outdoor items into projectiles that can break windows on any side of your home.2 All windows and glass doors should be secured to guard against high winds and flying objects.
Myth #2 – If You Lean against a Window or Door, You Can Keep it from Blowing Inward
You are putting yourself in danger if you remain in front of windows and doors. Instead, you should:
- Close all interior doors and brace external doors before the storm.
- Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
- Stay away from windows and glass doors.
Myth #3 – Open Windows to Alleviate Pressure
This myth is based on the misconception that pressure can build up in your home during a storm to the point of causing complete structural failure. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, no house is built airtight and an over-pressurization to this degree is not possible. Opening windows presents the danger of flying objects entering your home.4 Therefore, all windows should be closed and shuttered during a hurricane.
Myth #4 – The Biggest Myth is that “It Will Not Happen Here”
Each year, heavy rains, strong winds, floods and coastal storm surges from tropical storms and hurricanes affect much of the United States, including both coastal and inland areas.5 Although all of us hope we will not be affected by a hurricane, it is always safer for you, your family and business to be prepared.
Craig Woolley,
Chair SSEP
