Storms can be devastating. They can cause severe damage to your property and livelihood, even lives, in general. That’s why preparing for them is very important, especially if your home is in a location prone to storms and hurricanes. In addition, your hurricane preparedness could have a say on how you can efficiently stall the possible wind and water damage and everything else.
Timing your preparations
Preparations for a storm should start not when it is already happening but ahead, even before the rainfall season begins. Keeping track of the weather news will guide you to devise an effective plan.
Clear up and clean up
An effective hurricane preparedness drill starts by clearing your home from clutter and cleaning up. In that case, you will need to hire a skip or an effective removal service in your area, specialising in such projects.
Clearing the clutter will help prevent items from flying around and hitting anywhere they could cause damage. So, at the very least, you must eliminate them or put them to better use. Ever thought of recycling and repurposing? They are such fun projects to get into.
On the other hand, cleaning will take care of overgrown shrubs and trees that could rub your roof and pull parts of it during a storm. It will also help keep the gutters from clogging, which is the leading cause of indoor flooding and severe roof damage.
Next up, secure your home
There are several ways to secure your home against a storm or hurricane, including the following:
- Review your insurance policy and ensure that you are sufficiently covered during a natural disaster. To be sure, you could ask your agent and possibly find additional coverage.
- Get your roof together. Since it is the first line of exposure, the roof is most vulnerable to destruction from ferocious storms. So, before the season for heavy rainfalls begins, have your roof checked for leaks, clogging, and other issues. And make sure they are adequately resolved and installed with fortifications that would make them stronger.
- Avail of storm shutters and shields for your doors and windows to seal off these vulnerable areas to flying projectiles in the form of broken tree branches and outdoor furniture.
- Prepare an emergency supplies kit. Many things could happen in the aftermath of a storm or hurricane, leading to electricity and water outages and food shortages. This is where an emergency kit comes in handy. It should contain basic needs and things you may use to live comfortably until things return to normal.
- Have an evacuation plan. It would be nice to fortify your home and make sure it is safe until a storm passes, but it is wise to have a plan if the authorities decide you need to vacate your home to ensure safety. Or at least have a shelter room ready.
Preparedness surely matters in navigating a storm safely, year after year, during the hurricane season.