Preparing for a Hurricane

Hurricane season is here, and while we’ve had a slower start to the season, if you have lived in Florida for any amount of hurricane seasons, you know August through October are usually the busiest months for hurricanes. We’ll keep praying for a slow season, but just in case we end up with a couple storms headed our way, here’s how you can prepare.
​
As soon as I hear that there is the threat of a storm, we buy water. Worst case scenario, we bought it for nothing and we’ll use it later. The other thing I do is fill up my gas tank. That way once the lines get really bad I don’t have to go. Here’s a list of the things we do, starting with when we first find out there’s the possibility of a storm, leading to right up until the storm begins.

Be Prepared

Take advantage of the state’s two disaster preparedness sales tax holidays taking place now through June 9 and Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.

Stock up on essential items and enjoy significant discounts on a wide range of preparedness items. Take advantage of incredible deals and prepare for any situation that may come your way.

Before the Storm

• Gas up cars
• Stock up on water, or get yourself a water bottle that filters tap water. 
• If you have a generator, test it and make sure it’s working properly
• Get propane for your grill – that will make it easy for you to cook if you lose power! 
• Prepare to be self-sustained for 72 hours after a storm.
• Purchase/Make sure you have on hand:
  • canned goods, shelf stable soups
  • shelf stable milk
  • Pouches for kids
  • Snacks – chips, cereal, peanut butter, jelly
  • paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels – doing dishes will be tough if water supply is compromised. 
  • Moist towelettes – for cleaning yourself if you don’t have access to running water
  • Manual can opener
  • Fill any prescription medications
  • Non-prescription meds – Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc. Make sure they aren’t expired. 
  • Formula, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Feminine supplies – or get yourself a menstrual cup so you don’t have to worry about this! 
  • Batteries
  • Toys, books, activities for kids
  • Flashlight/lanterns
  • First aid kit
  • AM/FM Radio (battery operated)
  • Matches
• Get cash! Immediately after the storm some places may open but may only take cash. 
• Consume as much of your perishables as possible – we made banana bread today to use up eggs, butter, and the overripe bananas.
• Secure your home
  • Shutters
  • Bring in patio furniture or tie it down
  • Pump some water out of your pool (but not too much)
  • Bring in garbage cans
• Back up electronics
• Unplug electronics (desktop computers, TVs)
• Charge devices, have any and all backup chargers fully charged
• Fill freezer with Ziplocks filled with ice/water bottles to help keep it cold as long as possible in case of loss of power. Empty space will cause the refrigerator to warm up more quickly.
• Pets? Have a plan. Make sure you have food, water for them, peepee pads, and any medications they may need. 
• Know where will you evacuate to if given the order
• Have an emergency evacuation bag ready
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Complete change of clothing
  • Important documents (passports, birth certificates, etc) in a ziplock
• Fill the tubs with water

During the Storm

• Keep calm.
• Stay inside the house until the storm passes.
• Disconnect circuit breakers before electrical power is cut off. Leave a single switch enabled with a lamp connected to it to know when the current has been restored.
• Stay in the room that offers the most security even if you hear that the glass is breaking.
• If your home begins to be destroyed, cover yourself with a mattress. If your safe room is a bathroom with a bathtub, get inside the bathtub and cover yourself with a mattress.
• Use the telephone only in case of urgent calls. Do not do it if you hear it is thundering.
• If you are in a high-rise building, avoid upper floors, since the wind speed on higher floors is much higher. Go to a safe room.

After the Storm

• Use flashlights only, not candles, to illuminate in case of emergency.
• Disconnect any electrical equipment you were using when the power was interrupted. 
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
• If your garage door is electric, be sure to know where the lever is to operate it manually.
• Be careful with standing water, downed trees, and power lines. 

Stay safe, friends! 

xoxo,