Almost nothing is safe from Nature’s fury, which strikes with little notice and leaves devastation in its wake. From floods to tornados to deadly hurricanes, they all wreak havoc and cost millions of dollars in repairs. When Nature goes berserk, the only thing we can usually do is step out of the way or find any means to protect our property from harm as best we may.
Randy Wagner, a Texan man, took precautions for his home during hurricane season by investing in 400 feet of plastic material to serve as a barrier from flood waters. This cost him $8,300.
It was a huge investment, and many of his pals and neighbors considered spending so much on plastic and wasting so much time in attaching it to be completely insane.
What seemed crazy to them was Randy’s clever method of keeping his home safe from the approaching storm. When the flood came, the plastic he had constructed around his property proved capable of keeping water away from his home, contrary to what his neighbors thought. His $8,300 investment saved him at least $150,000 in repairs.
It’s likewise critical to be informed of the measures to take when a hurricane is on its way. It’s just as important as Randy, and there are several precautions that must be taken. Here are some basic suggestions that might assist you.
Where to go: It’s vital that you’re aware of your surroundings and know the best evacuation routes in advance of an order to leave. You should also make arrangements for where you may stay in case of an emergency. Make a kit bag with all of the essential gear, such as a flashlight, batteries, some cash, first-aid supplies, and pills if necessary.
If you are instructed to evacuate, do so immediately. If not, ensure that you have enough emergency supplies to last a few days without power or water. Furthermore, devise a plan for how your family or community will communicate in case of an emergency.
It’s easy to find information about your community emergency communication service online.
Making Your Home Ready
As part of your hurricane readiness, you should attempt to protect your property to the greatest extent feasible in order to avoid and minimize damage. Trim tree branches near your home ahead of time since they can fall when the wind blows and wreak havoc on properties nearby. Prepare your property for the extra water that will flow in by clearing any clogged drainage pipes and debris from around it. To best protect your property, you should make sure the roofing, windows, and doors are strengthened and able to withstand high winds. Additionally, because power outages often occur during extreme weather events, it is advisable that you have a generator on hand. If budget allows for it, building a “FEMA safe room” or “ICC 500 storm shelter” above flood level will provide an additional layer of protection from severe weather conditions.
If you are staying put during a hurricane, plan to stay at home and inform your friends and family members of your location. It is not advisable to be on the road during stormy weather. When bunkering up at home during a hurricane, shut all the windows and storm shutters and stay away from the windows to avoid getting injured by broken glass.
The best way to keep your food from going bad is by setting your fridge to the coldest setting and monitoring weather/emergency reports.
What should you do if a hurricane is 36 hours away?
To be weather-wise and up-to-date with emergency instructions, tune in to your TV or other trusted source. When severe weather hits, the last thing you want is to realize that your survival kit is lacking basics. longitudinal way of communication like messaging or emailing is more effective than making calls when trying to get in touch with loved ones during an evacuation.
Check with your family members once again to confirm that they know how you intend to evacuate. Keep your vehicle close and in good condition, just in case you have to make a last-minute dash for it.
What should you do when a hurricane is 18-36 hours away?
For easy access to weather and emergency information, bookmark your city’s website. Remove light objects that can be easily thrown about by strong winds, such as patios, garbage cans, and so on. If they’re safe to bring inside but hazardous things like propane tanks should be stored outside instead. Make sure all of your windows are tightly shut. If possible, put boards over your windows.
What should you do when a hurricane is 6-18 hours away?
Please keep updated with the current weather situation by checking the TV or radio for updates every half hour. Additionally, please regularly check the weather website for any changes in storms. These occurrences can be very unpredictable and change quickly, so it is essential to stay alert. Also, make sure all your phones are charged fully in case you lose power due to severe conditions.
After a Hurricane?
Check-in with your family members to make sure they are okay, and only return home when you know it is safe. Be careful walking or driving through flood waters as they can contain dangerous debris or unstable places where the ground has been washed away.
Take pictures of the damage done to your property for insurance purposes, as electricity can also charge water due to downed lines.
As we remember those who have lost loved ones from the recent hurricanes, let us also pray for their safety and well-being. Join us in prayer as we stay safe and always be careful.
