Hurricanes can be violent, leading to the devastating loss of lives and property. However, having a solid guide to hurricane preparedness can be a true lifesaver. Please do not wait until it is too late to take the necessary precautions. Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. is ready to help you navigate the process and secure your home.
Your Guide to Hurricane Preparedness
Plan Your Evacuation Before the Storm Hits
In the event of a major storm, you may be required to evacuate. Planning ahead of time helps you identify safe shelters where you and your pets can go. Ask a friend or out-of-state relative to be your designated point of contact. Before the storm arrives, ensure all your family members know this contact person’s name, address, and phone numbers.
Gather Non-Perishable Emergency Supplies
Most people wait until a hurricane warning is officially issued before rushing to the stores, resulting in empty shelves. Having the following items ready will put you ahead of the rush:
- First-aid supplies
- Prescription medications
- Canned or dried food that does not require refrigeration
- A three-day supply of drinking water (one gallon per person, per day)
- Candles, lamps, and matches
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- A wrench and other basic hand tools
- Materials for emergency home repairs (tarps, duct tape, etc.)
Prepare Your Children for the Situation
High-stress weather events can be terrifying for young ones. Practice evacuation drills with your kids so that your family can leave the house quickly, calmly, and safely when an emergency occurs.
How Do I Prepare My House for Hurricane Season?
A hurricane can easily turn lightweight material from your surroundings into high-speed missiles that can break your doors and windows. Here is how to lock down your property:
- Keep Supplies Stocked: Maintain your three-day supply of water, food, and essentials. You can consult FEMA’s official emergency supply list to ensure you are not forgetting anything.
- Unplug Electronics: The best protection against severe surge-related damage is to physically unplug all electronics from the wall, even if you are using a surge protector.
- Prepare for Long-Term Outages: Consider purchasing a generator small enough to run the most important appliances that make life manageable while the power grid is down.
- Remove Clutter: Get rid of items that can turn into projectiles. Move lightweight outdoor items such as potted plants, children’s toys, patio furniture, and trashcans indoors or into the garage.
- Trim Surrounding Trees: Trim all tree branches touching or hanging near your house. If left hanging, high winds can whip them against your house and pull off parts of your roof. Re-grade the area around the tree to strengthen the ground and offer the roots something to firmly cling to.
- Clean Your Gutters: Cleaning out your gutters ensures that heavy rain can drain properly, preventing interior flooding and potential roof damage from pooling water.
- Verify Your Insurance Coverage: Review your policy and consider purchasing additional flood insurance to ensure you are adequately protected financially in case of severe damage.
- Secure Your Home’s Structure: Install window shutters, secure roof clips, anchor fuel tanks, and utilize garage door braces to withstand extreme wind pressure.
Affordable Ways to Prep Your Home
If you are on a budget, there are still highly effective ways to protect your property:
- Stock Up on Plywood: Plywood offers a much cheaper alternative to specialized hurricane shutters and effectively protects your windows from flying objects.
- Cover Your Air Conditioner: Airborne debris and projectiles can lodge in your unit, causing massive damage to your outdoor A/C compressor. Get a manufacturer-approved protective cover. Be cautious with DIY solutions like plastic tarps, as you might trap moisture inside and void your warranty.
- Seal Exterior Holes: Use a high-quality caulk to seal any gaps or holes where your cables, pipes, or other wires come into your home to prevent wind-driven rain from entering.
Contact the Roofing Experts
Make early plans for a safe evacuation in case the storm becomes severe. Heed the hurricane tips above and evacuate immediately if you live in a high-risk flood zone or mobile home.
Preparedness is all about getting the best protection possible, and this is where Certified Roofers & General Contractors, Inc. comes in to help secure your roof before the storm hits. With decades of experience in the Florida market, we offer the strongest and most reliable roofing products available.
Call us at (813) 643-8333 or get in touch with us online today to schedule a pre-storm roof inspection!
