The Eastern pacific hurricane season is upon us and will be for several months. According to federal resources, this season kicks off on May 15th and runs through November of each year. With the potential for heavy rains and damaging winds, it is important to know what to do if faced with the lashing Mother Nature can give. Hurricane preparation is something that should be consider long before any actual threat is detected.
Before storms approach, you should ensure that your home has proper insurance coverage – homeowner’s insurance and possible flood insurance. Water damage repair, whether in Honolulu, Hawaii or Watsonville, CA can get expensive, especially when considering the need to replace many material items should mold have time to take hold. So, save yourself financial ruin and sign up for the policies before the storms kick up the destructive forces. Once a storm has been spotted and is reported to hit your area, the insurance companies will likely turn down your request for additional coverage.
Preparing for a hurricane can take some time, which is why the experts suggest that you do as much as possible in advance. For instance, emergency kits can be packed and stored long before any threat is present. To put together an effective emergency kit, you will need the following items:
• Food Without it, the body becomes weak and the mind will be quickly muddled. To be save, store away at least three days worth of non-perishable food items for each person living in the home. It is also a good idea to have a manual can opener stored with this food. Infants and toddlers may require baby food and formula and don’t forget family pets as you stock up.
• Water Again, it is an essential item, so stash at least three gallons per person. This is the equivalent of three days worth
• Medical Supplies Injuries can happen when winds are whipping debris about, so be sure to have a first aid kit close at hand, a whistle to alert others when help is needed, dusk masks for everyone, and all necessary medications.
• Hygienic Goods Unfortunately, flood waters can destroy sewer systems and ruin all paper products in the home. It is a good idea to have plastic bags, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and diapers for infants and toddlers on hand in an emergency situation.
• Life Lines Part of every great emergency kit is a list of contacts. It is a good idea to have the phone number and address of a friend of family member living outside the immediate area that can be contacted and visited in such a situation. You should also have a charged cell phone, a gassed and ready vehicle, a battery powered radio, and flashlight with extra batteries to be sure you can make a quick escape if necessary. It is important to note that pets are not allowed at public shelters, so you will also need to plan for their safety in advance.
• Warmth, Comfort, and Entertainment If recent natural disasters have taught us nothing else, we should have learned how long people can go without basic comforts after they occur. To keep your family as comfortable as possible, be sure to have blankets, cash, matches, extra clothing, toys, books, and magazines packed and ready to go. You may also need rain gear, plastic bags, tarps, tape, and rope.
Once your emergency kit is packed and you know that you have some place to go should you need to evacuate, it is time to consider how you will secure your property. To keep windows safe you will need to cover them with storm shutters or plywood. If relying on the latter, it is a good idea to have the necessary materials on hand and cut to appropriate sizes for quick installation. You will also want to prepare and test your generator, so you know that it can be relied on in an emergency.
When news of a possible storm breaks, bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, toys, garbage cans, grills, and anything else that is prone to high winds and rain. Always have a television or radio turned to local station to know if and when emergency evacuation is recommended.
Once the storm has passed, you may need help cleaning up. Visit our website to learn more about water damage repair services in Santa Cruz, CA.
Hail storm (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brostad/4741809385/) / CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
