Hurricanes are a reality for people living in Florida. This is something that everyone who decides to live in the state needs to adjust to if they have never lived in a place where hurricanes are a possibility. You need to know how to prepare for hurricane season so that you don’t end up struggling through the process of repairing and recovering from hurricanes each season.
Hurricane-resistant homes in Florida can help you to weather these months with ease. If you invest in upgrading your home to be hurricane-resistant, you will be much less likely to have your heart broken each storm season. If you can’t afford to upgrade your home right now, there are some other things that you can do to make sure that your home is likely to survive the next hurricane without issues.
Ways to Prepare a Home for Hurricane Season in Florida
1. Have a Hurricane Kit Prepared
This is one of the best ways to be sure that you and your family will be okay, whether you can stay at home during the storm or whether you have to evacuate. You will be able to use the kit for emergency supplies in either situation, making it far less scary to weather a storm of this type.
This is a kit that you need to prepare ahead of time. A very large family might need more than one kit.
You will want to be sure that you consider the following items for your kits:
- A first-aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Enough water for 3 days
- Non-perishable food that should last you for at least 3 days
- Medications for you, loved ones, and even pets
- Flashlights
- Waterproof containers that you can put cash and important documents into
- A manual can opener
- A cooler and ice packs
- Lighter or matches
These kits save lives and are an important part of getting through hurricane season.
2. Have an Evacuation Plan
You and your family should make a plan to be sure that you are all prepared in case you get separated. This can happen in the panic of getting out of an area that has an evacuation order. Sometimes kids might be at school, or maybe your spouse is elsewhere at work. You need to have a plan to make sure that you are all about to meet up somewhere and regroup.
An evacuation plan doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. Just make sure that you have one in place.
3. Cover the Windows
Make sure that you cover the windows of your home before the storm hits. Storm shutters are the most ideal way of protecting your windows, but you can also use plywood to protect them. This can make a huge difference in the damage that your home might suffer during the storm event. Shattered glass can make a huge mess, and wind can throw water and debris into your home that can further damage the interior of your home.
You should also reinforce garage doors and even the front door of your home to be sure that your house stays sealed up. If you are inside your home during the storm, stay away from windows and doors just in case they shatter or break. Even with the windows shuttered or boarded over, sometimes large objects like trees can break through the protections that you have in place.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/coffee-kettle-on-gas-stove-placed-on-table-during-camping-6271290/
4. Prepare for Power Outages
In lots of cases, the power will go out during a hurricane. If you have access to gas, you will want to be sure that your tank is full. However, you will also want to make sure that gas isn’t flowing to your home during the peak of the storm. You might also want to have propane on hand to allow you to cook on a barbecue or camp stove once the storm has passed by.
Power outages can be lengthy during the storm cleanup process, so it’s important that you have some way of cooking or heating water for at least a few days after the storm is over.
5. Trim Your Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can be one of the main sources of damage to your home during a hurricane. The force of the wind can rip limbs off the trees or even uproot shrubs and send them through your windows. Plants can also damage your home’s siding and make a huge mess in your yard. Keeping things cleaned up in your yard can have a big impact on your home’s safety during a storm of this kind.
6. Have Some Cash on Hand Just in Case
It’s always a good idea to have cash on hand during a hurricane. Most businesses won’t have their POS systems up and running following the storm, but they might still be able to service your needs. If you have cash, you will be able to get the things that you need, even if the roads are still a mess. Cash can be a great guarantee that you and your family will be okay during the recovery period after a hurricane.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/palm-trees-during-a-hurricane-16313103/
Hurricanes Don’t Have to Devastate Your Home
If you live in Florida, you need to be sure that your home will be okay when the next hurricane hits. Hurricanes can be very hard on homes that are not prepared for them, but you have lots of options to make sure that your house will be secure during a storm event.
If you are able to upgrade your house to a hurricane-resistant home, you will be able to enjoy an added level of peace of mind during hurricane season. Hurricane-resistant homes are built to weather Florida storms, and they also offer year-round benefits such as energy efficiency and noise reduction. If you are going to be staying in Florida, you should have a plan for hurricane season or for home upgrades to make sure that your house will weather the storm properly.
