The duration of hurricane season stretches from June through November in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. However, the most severe tropical storms often occur August through October.
Hurricanes produce heavy rains, flooding and tornadoes, creating winds that can reach 155 miles per hour. These tropical storms can be devastating to homes, business and communities that lie in its wake. Catastrophic storm damage can extend even hundreds of miles inland.
Do yourself a favor and prepare you and your family for the next hurricane season by following these tips:
Preparing for a Hurricane
Begin preparing for a hurricane well in advance of the hurricane season by creating an emergency kit. During a hurricane, you may have to leave home at a moment’s notice. An emergency kit may include food, bottled water and any other supplies you may need to last you and your family for up to 72 hours in a storm. You’ll need flashlights, extra batteries and any other emergency supplies necessary if your electricity, cell phone service or other utilities are shut off for days, or even longer.
Develop a family communications plan. If a severe storm occurs, your family members may not be together. How will you contact your children at school or daycare, your spouse at work or even your parents during a natural disaster? Create an emergency contact list, either on your Smartphone or printed on a laminated card tucked away in a wallet, purse or school backpack for everyone in the family. Find out from your children’s school or daycare what their emergency procedures are during a hurricane. Enlist a friend or relative who lives out-of-state as an emergency contact person for family members to call to let everyone know they are safe. It is helpful if everyone in the family has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card to call your emergency contact person. Make sure everyone in the family, grandparents included, know how to send text messages. Sometimes during a severe storm, phone calls aren’t able to get through, but text messages may be sent and received.
If you’re new to your community, become aware of your surroundings and any hurricane evacuation routes. Become informed about any dams or levees that could impact your home or rental during a severe storm, and know the quickest route to seek higher ground in a crisis situation.
If your home or rental doesn’t have permanent storm windows, purchase marine plywood that is cut and ready to be installed if the need arises.
If a Hurricane Strikes
If a hurricane becomes a real possibility, secure your home or apartment by closing your storm shutters and bringing any outdoor furniture or items indoors. Make sure that any item that can be turned into a flying projectile is safely secured.
Stay posted to local radio, television or online weather reports for up-to-date information. This is the best way to stay current when natural disasters occur.
Turn off your propane tanks and other utilities if told to do so.
Seek shelter immediately if you live in a mobile home, a high rise apartment building or along the coastline or other bodies of water, including a floodplain or river. Have a designated shelter picked out in advance.
Stay indoors during the hurricane and try to keep away from windows and glass doors. Keep your curtains and blinds closed, as well as all interior doors. Do not ride in an elevator.
After the Hurricane
Only return to your home or community after local officials have deemed it safe.
Drive only when necessary and attempt to avoid driving in flooded roadways or bridges that could be damaged by flooding. Severe storms can cause downed power lines and trigger landslides.
It’s important to continue to listen to local news and weather reports for the latest updates, or to find out if additional rain and flooding following the hurricane has ended.
Following these tips will keep you and your family safe and organized when the next hurricane is headed your way!
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