When Mother Nature decides to show us who’s in charge, there is very little we can do to stop it. All that we can do is to prepare for the worse to minimize the potential damage and wait for the hurricane to end.
If you have recently moved to Florida, you have most likely heard about all the stories about hurricanes. You have most likely seen the images on the news, heard the stories of residents of Florida, or even saw the devastation the natural disaster left behind. According to data, on average only one or two hurricanes affect America each year and only 40% of them hit Florida.
However, last year, the Hurricane season was significantly more active than normal, and it was the third in a consecutive series. So, it is always better to be prepared in case the hurricane season will hit even more aggressively.
So, how do you protect your home and family in the region that is most affected by hurricane season? Here’s what to do before, during, and after a hurricane to protect your loved ones:
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Before the hurricane
In regions like Florida, hurricanes can always happen between the 1st of June and November 30 when the hurricane season is taking place. So, at the start of the hurricane season, every household should be prepared for the events that will happen during a hurricane. So, before the disaster strikes, there are a few steps you should make to prepare for such an event in order to keep your family safe.
Prepare a hurricane kit
If there is one thing that you should absolutely do unless told so by the authorities, that would be leaving your house during a hurricane. Yet, being stuck in your home for days can be really difficult if you don’t prepare your home with supplies beforehand.
A hurricane kit needs to include everything that you and your family may be needing within a few days to a week from food to water, medications, and first aid kits. You should also prepare batteries and flashlights, pet supplies if you own a pet, chargers for your smartphones, and copies of the most important personal documents of you and your kids. When it comes to food and water, it is recommended to have non-perishable food to make sure it resists for a long time and at least 1 gallon of water per family member for each day.
Insure your home
According to CoreLogic, in 2018, over 2.8 million homes were at risk due to hurricanes and the total costs to rebuild them would have been worth $552.4 trillion. What does that mean? It means that when a hurricane starts, not only you and your family are in danger but so is your house. Due to floods, powerful winds, and all the events caused by the hurricane can damage your home.
In terms of money, rebuilding your home from the ground after a hurricane can be really challenging. So, in areas prone to be affected by natural disasters like Florida, it is mandatory to have complex home insurance that will support you in case a disaster strikes your home. For example, wind insurance in Florida combined with flood insurance can help you rebuild your home in case it gets damaged during a hurricane.
Teach your kids about hurricanes
When they are little, kids tend to get very scared and don’t know how to react in case of a natural disaster. They might try to run away or hide which can put them in danger when disaster strikes. So, a good way to make sure that your kids will be safe when a hurricane starts is to teach them about this natural phenomenon and what is the right way to react.
When a hurricane is heading to the area of your home, you will know about it. everybody on the news and radio will be talking about it in order to warn the residents of that region to find shelter and stay safe during the storm. So, that is the moment when you must take your loved ones and get inside where you can be safe during the hurricane.
During the hurricane
Once the storm has started, there is nothing humans can do to stop it. So, the only thing that is left to be done is to stay safe until the storm has passed. But what should you do to stay safe during a hurricane?
Well, first things first, you should never leave your home if there is no imminent danger and unless told so by the local authorities. Going outside your home can be extremely dangerous due to the strong winds that will blow things around that can hit you. Also, you should avoid staying in the low-lying and flood-prone areas like your home’s basement as these areas are most likely to get flooded by the water brought by the hurricane.
Depending on the location of your house and the area of the coast where the hurricane will hit, your house may be prone to more damage than other properties. So, you may be asked by emergency managers to evacuate your home. Don’t even think to hesitate because if you don’t leave the house immediately, you may put yourself and your family in danger.
After the hurricane
Once the hurricane has ended, you will most likely see it for yourself but also hear it from the local authorities. However, it is recommended to stay indoors until you are told that you are safe to come out. Consider that the roads are very likely to be flooded and there can still be many risks outside. After you get outside of your house, you need to be part of your community and help the authorities look for injured and trapped people whose lives may be in danger.
When it comes to keeping your family and your home safe from a hurricane, there is no such thing as being “too prepared”. Being caught unprepared can put your loved ones in danger. So, if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, make sure you prepare your house for surviving such a natural disaster.
