Are You Prepared for a Hurricane?

Are You Prepared For Hurricane Season?

Having an emergency plan for hurricane season will make a hectic situation easier to deal with. As much work that is put into hurricane tracking, the projected landfall is still unpredictable. They can change their direction last minute and make a surprise turn for the worst. If you are not properly prepared for the storm chances are you will forget about valuable steps and items you may need in the event a catastrophic storm makes landfall in your area. Having yourself, your family and your pets prepared will avoid any delay in getting everyone to safety during dangerous weather. 

 What Should You Do To Prepare?

Whether you live alone, have a family or have pets you should be prepared. Having a checklist will insure you don’t forget vital items such as medications that could easily be overlooked in a hectic event. Some examples of hurricane supplies you should have on your checklist are:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily for people and 1.75 liters for pets
• Food – at least enough for 5-7 days 
• Manual can opener
• Plastic-ware (cups, utensils, plates)
• First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescriptions Drugs/Eye Glasses/Contacts
• Toiletries/Hygiene Items/Moisture Wipes
• Sunscreen and Lotion
• Water purification tablets
• Radio (battery operated and NOAA weather radio)
• Flashlights/batteries
• Cash (banks may be closed and ATMs may be down) 
• Keys (house, cars, boats, etc.)
• Ziplock bags (for food and items that must stay dry)
• Important documents (Insurance cards, Driver's License, SSC, etc.)
• Coolers and ice 

If you have pets:

• Food, Water, Leash and Collar (ID Tags), Medications, current photographs, any favorite toys or blankets to help with anxiety. 

In the event that you are forced to evacuate your home you should take steps to help prevent possible damages from happening. Before you leave your home for a safe zone take the following precautions:

• Cover all windows with plywood that are cut to fit the window – tape does not prevent your windows from breaking.
• Pick up any lose debris in your yard – furniture, branches, anything loose that could become a missile to your home. 
• Secure boats, trailers, campers and RVS in the safest place you can find. Do your best to secure them in the hopes that they will  not be damaged by the approaching storm. 
• Move all items that can be damaged from water to higher areas and away from windows in your home. 
• Huge items need to be secured in big storms. Strong winds can pick up vehicles and throw them. Do your best to secure any large items you have outdoors. 
• Bring in all plants, decorative items, grills, etc. into a closed area.
• Close and fasten all gates and doors. 

Picking Up the Pieces after the Storm

Some people may be stuck having to clean up after a storm has passed. Hurricanes can make areas look completely unrecognizable. If you happen to be one of the unfortunate people to suffer from the wrath of a storm hopefully your home is restorable. The first step you should take is surveying the damage to your home. Take pictures, document your losses, and be aware of possible dangers such as broken glass and leaking gas. Time is precious during this time, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. This is where understanding your homeowner’s insurance policy is important. Please see the previous post about water damage below to understand the difference in water and flood damage coverage.

After you have contacted your insurance company the next step is to contact a restoration professional in your area. This is a time sensitive step as well because the sooner repairs are underway the less damage your property will suffer from. Hiring a certified restoration professional is extremely important. Being certified is expensive and is a privilege. Many companies out there will offer a great price but chances are they are not certified. If you are a Florida resident you can go to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp to verify a State license. Protect yourself and always do research before you agree to have a company begin repairs. 

Restoring Your Home after a Hurricane by PRS 

Hiring a company that can offer immediate response is critical. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is here to aid those in need during a disaster. We offer emergency services 24 hours a day 365 days a year to both residential and commercial losses. PRS handles all hurricane damages; water damage, flood damage, fire damage, wind damage, and mold. We are a certified and reputable company that understands the importance of an immediate response to your loss.