Hurricanes and tropical storms generally can be tracked days ahead of any impact, providing ample time to prepare for potential evacuation. But being prepared now will make an evacuation easier, and keep your home and family protected as much as possible from danger.
What to do when a Tropical Storm or Hurricane is on it’s way….
- Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
- Decide where you will store your boat during a tropical storm or hurricane, and factor into your action plan the time to move it to storage.
- Compile a family emergency supplies kit. Make certain everything you need is in one specific, easy-to-access location.
- Assemble a hurricane survival kit. Obtain emergency supplies now to be self sufficient during the storm and its potentially lengthy aftermath. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep to buy these items, they will be in very short supply or even completely unavailable.
- Test emergency equipment such as generators and flashlights.
- Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
- Close your windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
- Turn off propane tank.
- Unplug small appliances.
- Fill your car’s gas tank.
- Create a hurricane evacuation plan with members of your household. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
- Find out about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
- Obey evacuation orders. Avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges
Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. It’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov. To get a quote on flood insurance please click here: LPL Risk Management Flood Insurance
- Prepare Your Home
There are a number of cost-effective measures that be taken to strengthen the exterior and interior structural integrity of a house.
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