Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th and if you are new to the southern United States, it can be overwhelming to think about what you should do, where you should go, and how you should begin your Hurricane preparation.
Living in the Southern US close to a coastal area, with kids and pets, we like to make sure we’re prepared for the worst. Preparing before a hurricane hits means that you’ll have the right supplies ready when you need them. My family has taken steps to ensure that we are ready for any emergency or severe weather situation that comes our way.
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Plan ahead! Will you stay home or evacuate?
- If you are directed by local authorities to evacuate, gather your supplies and follow their instructions.
- Hurricanes give about 3-4 days of preparation time for you to make decisions, but things can change very quickly. Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center for updates and predictions.
- Make your decision quickly, you don’t want to get stuck on the road during the storm. If you wait too long you could get caught in traffic on the roads during the storm. Hotels will most likely be booked up in cities along the evacuation route leaving you with nowhere to stay.
- Know the limits of your home. Our home has survived several hurricanes without flooding or major damage so we are confident that it can withstand at least a Category 4 storm. However, we evacuate to a family residence about three hours north of our home if predictions are showing a Category 3 storm. We know that at a Cat-3 our home will lose power and possibly water for several days, sometimes weeks.
- Are you in a flood zone? If your property floods after a quick summer pour down or if you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area, you should evacuate when a hurricane approaches. No emergency services will be available until after the storm has passed. Many counties and parishes will distribute free sandbags prior to the storm to help protect your property. To check if your property is located in a flood zone, visit FEMA Flood Map, type in your address, and click on the documents produced.
Deciding to stay? Get ready with the right supplies.
- Water. The rule is to store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. And at least a 3-day supply of water for each person and each pet. Try to store a 2-week supply if possible. but this is hard to do for a lot of people because of the lack of storage. But try to have as much as you can.
- Food and non-perishable supplies. Stock up on non-perishables that you will actually eat. Canned foods, meats, and dry foods are great. Go for food that requires little to no preparation and won’t need electricity to store. Pack extra batteries for your flashlight, radio, and cell phone charger.
- Medications. If you require daily medication and it’s not controlled, prepare at least an extra seven-day supply for emergencies. Call your pharmacy, they’ll typically allow you to refill prescriptions early in preparation for a storm. Don’t forget over-the-counter medications too, pain relievers, antihistamines, Neosporin, nausea, and diarrhea remedies.
- The right clothing. Do all your laundry beforehand so that you will have a large supply of fresh clothing. It’s probably going to be hot and humid, but sometimes the temperatures drop quickly right after a storm make especially at night, sure you have a few pieces of warm clothing or blankets. There will be a lot of debris and water, rain gear comes in handy, this includes raincoats, waterproof boots, and waders. It’s going to be bright and sunny without a cloud in the sky after a hurricane. Don’t forget hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Cash. Have at least $200 in cash on hand. Some stores may be operational right after the storm hits but using their registers in off-line mode or doing cash-only transactions. According to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Any amount more than $200 that is lost, damaged, or stolen in the home would be counted as a personal loss.
Get your pets prepared.
- Research pet-friendly hotels, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation.
- Make sure that your pets are microchipped, vaccinated, and up to date with their check-ups.
- Have their records and medical information on file or in an app on your phone.
- Prepare extra food and water for them.
- Call your veterinarian for an extra supply of their medication. If you need to evacuate, you may be away from home for several days/weeks and be unable to get back.
Have important documents ready to go.
Keep copies of important documents in a safe place or if you’re going to evacuate, bring these documents with you and keep them in a waterproof, portable container.
- Driver’s License, Passport, or other government issues ID’s
- Health Insurance Cards
- Credit Cards
- Will
- Birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates
- Insurance policies
- Tax returns
- Anything else that’s not easily easy to access quickly electronically
Know your local emergency response system and community.
If you decide to stay, the most important thing to know is that if you have an emergency happen during the hurricane, most emergency services will be unable to respond until the Storm has passed. You will be on your own for several hours, having first-aid training and a medical kit on hand is important.
If you have internet or TV access after the storm, tune into your local weather and news stations, they will have the latest information and special instructions.
If you are a member of your local Facebook neighborhood or community group. It’s a good source of information about your individual location. I’ve found the FB groups to be extremely helpful if you evacuate. Those who stayed are happy to send photos or give updates on your home or check on relatives/friends who have stayed behind. The groups are also a good source of when electricity and water have returned to your home.
Our List of Top Hurricane Preparation Items
This section contains Amazon affiliate links.
- Bottled Water
- Dry & Canned Goods + Snacks
- Generator
- Gas-powered Chainsaw
- Fuel (non-ethanol gas)
- Sandbags (Check your local government website/Facebook page, they will often give sandbags out for free before the storm.)
- Plywood
- Large Waterproof Tarp
- Hatchet
- Medical Kit + Antibiotics + Extra supply of your prescription medications
- Waders/Water Shoes
- Cell Phone Power Bank
- Cleaning Supplies
- Lanterns and Headlamps
- Battery Powered Fans or Portable AC Unit
- Hand crank radio
- Bug nets
- Ipad pre-loaded with favorite movies and tv shows + headphones
- Long-sleeve breathable shirts
- Wheelbarrow with airless tires
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