| Another hurricane season is here, and like some | | | | 8. Make sure you have a good supply of |
| before, it's predicted to be an active one with | | | | non-perishable "comfort foods" on hand. Include |
| quite a number of named storms, some | | | | treats for your pets. |
| projected to hit the US. | | | | 9. Check your stock of all medications, both |
| For years we've heard "Have a kit, have a plan," | | | | prescription and over-the-counter. Include your |
| but what kind of kit? Are kits really useful? And | | | | pets here too. |
| what kind of plan? What are the considerations? | | | | 10. Gas up all your vehicles and fill a couple of |
| What should I actually DO in a hurricane? | | | | 5-gallon gas cans to keep on hand. |
| As a short answer to that last question, we put | | | | Two Days Out |
| together a short list of things you should do if a | | | | At this point the weather forecast is going to be |
| hurricane is headed your way. Keep in mind | | | | pretty accurate as to whether or not your |
| though that this is an intro list. You'll find the link to | | | | vicinity will feel the effects of a hurricane. |
| the full article below. | | | | 11. Fill some empty milk jugs or plastic soda |
| For now we'll assume that you're not in a coastal | | | | bottles with water and put them in the freezer |
| area, you're not under mandatory evacuation | | | | (as many as you can fit). Let them freeze solid. If |
| orders, and that you've decided to stay and | | | | the power goes out, these will help keep your |
| shelter in place. So, we'll start by saying that | | | | fridge and freezer cold longer. |
| under certain circumstances it is possible to ride | | | | 12. Secure your more important household items |
| out the storm safely, if you know how to | | | | such as backup computer disks, paperwork, |
| R.E.A.C.T.: | | | | heirlooms, etc. by putting them in plastic tubs. |
| Reinforcement - Have you prepared your home | | | | One Day Out |
| structurally in advance, even if it's just shutters? | | | | 13. Start doing some safety landscaping by |
| Equipment - Do you have all the supplies you'll | | | | removing dangerous tree limbs, loose yard |
| need on hand, or are you waiting for the last | | | | furniture, and so forth. |
| minute? | | | | 14. Put your storm shutters in place. |
| Awareness - Do you have a way to track the | | | | Six to Eight Hours Out |
| storm, and do you have a way for others to | | | | At this point, you'll probably know whether or not |
| track you? | | | | the storm is going to be a direct hit for your area. |
| Cautions - Are you aware of the various risks | | | | 15. Take last minute photos of property and |
| involved in staying in place in a hurricane? | | | | family members. |
| Timeline - You'll need to do a few things as the | | | | 16. Recharge all your electronics (cell phone, |
| storm approaches, and timing is a factor. | | | | laptop, etc.) while you still have power. |
| For our "30 Tips" intro article, we'll cut directly to | | | | 17. Turn your fridge and freezer down to their |
| the "Timeline" portion of this piece so you can see | | | | lowest setting to keep food colder longer should |
| a list of considerations for bracing against the | | | | you lose power. |
| storm: | | | | 18. Move your cars to higher ground if your home |
| Timeline | | | | might flood and move your more valuable |
| Some things you need to do well in advance of a | | | | furniture and possessions off the floor. |
| major storm and some things have to wait until | | | | 19. If flooding is not an issue, park your car in the |
| the last minute. In any event, with something as | | | | garage or other protected area. |
| large and dangerous as a hurricane, there are | | | | 20. Brace your garage doors so they don't cave |
| always details that need to be tended to and you | | | | in during high winds. |
| have to consider your timing in the process. | | | | 21. Make sure the kids are home. |
| These are presented in something of a | | | | Two or Three Hours Out |
| chronological order and you'll notice these also | | | | Again, please remember that when we say "so |
| happen to be arranged in an "outside in" order, | | | | and so hours out" we're referring to the leading |
| meaning that you want to do the things that are | | | | edge of the storm that will hit you first, and not |
| farthest away from home first and work your | | | | the eye of the storm. |
| way in. | | | | 22. Bring the kids in the house and have them |
| Important note: Below when we say "out" | | | | help you with last minute stuff. |
| referring to how close the storm is, we're | | | | 23. Bring in all outdoor pets. If they can fit in the |
| referring to the nearest edge of the storm that's | | | | house they should be brought inside the house. |
| going to reach you first, and not the eye of the | | | | 24. Start building a "nest" in the room that's the |
| hurricane. Keep this in mind since most weather | | | | safest area of the house. Put down a mattress, |
| stations will measure from the eye of the | | | | have some snacks and water handy, make sure |
| hurricane. It's up to you to know the difference. | | | | you have a radio and flashlights all with extra |
| Before Hurricane Season Starts | | | | batteries. |
| 1. Make sure you performed all the structural | | | | 25. If the kids have bike or skateboard helmets |
| enhancements you could for your home. | | | | have them put them on. |
| 2. First aid and CPR classes are great classes to | | | | 26. Start filling your extra water containers |
| take. | | | | (bathtub, etc.) in anticipation of a loss of water. |
| 3. Make your decision well in advance on whether | | | | 27. If you can secure them (so they don't blow |
| you want to evacuate or stay put. | | | | away), your outside trashcans can be used as rain |
| A Week Out | | | | barrels. |
| This is about as long a warning as we'd have that | | | | As the Storm Comes Rolling In |
| a hurricane was heading toward any particular | | | | 28. Unplug all the electronics you were charging |
| region. | | | | and unplug any valuable electronics like your |
| 4. Look at the structural integrity of your home | | | | television, stereo, desktop computer, etc. to |
| and make sure you have all the shutter material | | | | protect them against surge from lightning strike. |
| and hardware you'll need already on hand. | | | | 29. Close but don't lock all your interior doors to |
| 5. If you have a gas-powered generator make | | | | limit flying debris or wind flow should a window |
| sure it works. If it needs repairs you'll want to | | | | break. |
| know now. | | | | 30. Move to the "nest" you made in your safe |
| Three Days Out | | | | area and stay put until the storm is over. |
| This is about the last day you want to be out and | | | | Next, you'll want to read the full version of this |
| about running errands or buying supplies. | | | | article, complete with outside links for additional |
| 6. Make sure your pantry is full as you'd like it to | | | | free information and lots more important detail |
| be. | | | | than we can post in this abbreviated version. For |
| 7. Get longer shelf-life items like canned goods and | | | | the full article complete with free PDF download |
| have ways to cook such as charcoal, gas for | | | | visit and look for it on the "News and Articles" |
| your grill, etc. | | | | page. |