Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. But these storms can occur outside of this date range, as we learned from Hurricane Alex in January 2016. 2016 has been forecasted to be a very hurricane-heavy year. And whether you live in a coastal area or miles inland, you are still at risk to the damages associated with a hurricane and its aftermath.
Hurricane Preparedness Week
May 15 through May 21, 2016 is Hurricane Preparedness Week. Below is a breakdown of each day with an action for you to take to be more prepared in the case of a hurricane.
Sunday, May 15, 2016: Determine Your Risk – Where you live can impact your home’s risk for hurricane damage. By knowing your risk level, you can create a better hurricane plan.
Monday, May 16, 2016: Develop an Evacuation Plan – You should have a safe place you and your family can go if you would need to evacuate your home. You should also include your pets in the evacuation plan in case shelters do not permit animals.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016: Secure an Insurance Check-Up – Once you’ve determined your home’s risk to hurricane damage, it’s important to make sure that any potential damages are covered by your insurance.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016: Assemble Disaster Supplies – You should have hurricane supplies that last one week or longer. Supplies include first aid, medicine, non-perishable food, bottled water, and a flashlight.
Thursday, May 19, 2016: Strengthen Your Home – Depending on the hurricane category, you should board up your windows and doors with the proper paneling materials.
Friday, May 20, 2016: Identify Your Trusted Sources of Information for a Hurricane Event – NOAA is a trusted hurricane information source. There are also apps for your smartphone that will notify you with hurricane alerts.
Saturday, May 21, 2016: Complete Your Written Hurricane Plan – Create a written plan including a checklist to make sure you are ready for the storm. The last thing you want is for everyone to be in panic mode, having no idea what to do. The time to prepare is before hurricane season begins.
Hurricane damage varies depending on the hurricane category including wind speeds. And if you’re not properly prepared, you can end up with a hefty amount of home repairs. As hurricane season approaches, start drafting your hurricane plan and make sure everyone in your home knows the plan.