Hurricane Preparedness The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is just one month away. Do you have your personal hurricane plan ready? Remember, regardless of how many storms are forecast in a seasonal outlook, it should not be used as a guide for preparation. It only takes one storm hitting your area to make it a bad year. The year 1992 is an excellent example. There were only seven storms that year, but one of them was Category 5 Hurricane Andrew. hurricanes.gov/prepare nws.noaa.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf Before a Hurricane To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. For more information go to ready.gov Know your surroundings. Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted. Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you. Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate. Make plans to secure your property: Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down. Determine how and where to secure your boat. If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor. Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) Web site,floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 14:46:01 +0000
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