Hurricane Preparedness: Homeowners Guide

Preparing your home:

Secure the exterior:

• Install hurricane shutters or board up windows with plywood to prevent shattering. 
• Clear rain gutters and downspouts to prevent water backups. 
• Trim trees and shrubs around your house to eliminate the potential of falling debris. 
• Secure or bring in your loose outdoor items, such as patio furniture, garbage cans, and decorations.

Reinforce the Roof, Doors, and Garage Doors:

• Inspect and maintain your roof regularly, replacing any loose or damaged shingles or tiles. 
• Consider installing additional bolts or reinforcements to strengthen doors against high winds. 
• Reinforce garage doors with horizontal bracing or install stronger doors designed to withstand high winds.

Prepare for Potential Flooding:

• Elevate appliances, furniture, and valuables if you live in a flood-prone area.
• Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, and drainage areas around your home.
• Consider installing a sump pump with a battery backup to help remove accumulated water.

Protect your windows:

• Install hurricane shutters to board up windows with plywood to prevent shattering and water intrusion.

Secure Utilities: 

• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Know how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at the main switches and valves. 

Review Your Insurance Coverage:

• Take an inventory of all your valuables before the storm (with photos and videos) for potential insurance claims.
• Understand your deductibles and document any damages with photos or videos for insurance claims. 

Create an Emergency Kit: 

• Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, portable phone charges, and any necessary medications or prescriptions. 

Watercraft and Mobile Assets:

Most insurance policies require reasonable efforts to protect watercraft, mobile homes, and other movable assets from impending hurricanes. If possible, consider the following measures:

• Relocate watercraft to a secure inland storage facility or marina away from the storm's projected path. 
• Transport mobile homes and vehicles to a sheltered location with minimal exposure to falling trees and debris.
• For assets that cannot be relocated, secure them in a sturdy structure or move them to an open area with limited potential hazard. 

Family Preparedness: 

• Refill any prescriptions ahead of time.
• Fill you vehicle's gas tank.
• Stock up on essential supplies, such as bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, and plywood.
• Consider evacuating if you are in the direct path of the storm.
• Have a plan and route for evacuation if needed, accounting for all family members, including pets.
• Inform all group members of the plan and their roles/ responsibilities.
• Keep pets close by and inside during a storm.
• If not evacuating, seek shelter in an interior room away from windows, such as a closet. Stay put until it is safe to move. 
• Store valuable papers in waterproof bags.
• If told to evacuate, do so immediately.

By following these preparedness measures, you can better protect your home, family, and belongings from the potential devastation of a hurricane.