Hurricane Season Begins- Are You Prepared?

For homeowners along the east and gulf coasts, June 1st marks the first day of hurricane season. And while some homeowners are particularly more concerned than others- really everyone in these areas should be preparing in the event their home happens to lie in the path of a hurricane large or small this year.

Today, more than 35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes”.

-Gary Locke U.S. Commerce Secretary

The 2009 Forecast

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released it’s initial hurricane prediction report this week, calling for a rather near-normal season. Fluctuations in  global weather patterns have made it slightly more difficult to predict the storm frequency this season, however, officials from NOAA are predicting that there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to fourteen named storms- with four to seven having hurricane potential. Overall, they are predicting one to three major hurricanes to make U.S. landfall this year.

Despite the Forecast

As some homeowners in hurricane-prone regions have learned the hard way- the forecast is truly only that- a forecast. And whether it be a normal season or not- there is just as great of a need to prepare your family for a major hurricane. However, with all the information out there- we thought we would put together a Hurricane 2009 Checklist to help you with your disaster plan and protect your family and home.

[  ]  Evacuation- We all remember the scenes from the days prior to  Hurricane Katrina- freeways backed up for miles, gas stations out of fuel. Avoiding  evacuation chaos is difficult- however, there are ways to ease the process. Make sure you have an evacuation plan drawn up ahead of time. Visit your state’s Department of Transportation website in order to view the recommended evacuation routes in your area. Also, some homeowners keep a spare tank of gasoline in order to be prepared for a gasoline shortage. Anything you can do ahead of time to get your family on the road and out of harm’s way quickly will surely pay off in the event of a major storm.

[  ] A Safe Place- So you know the best route out of town- but where are you planning to go? Obviously heading as far inland as possible is probably your best bet for getting out of the storm’s path. Do you have family or friends that can take you in while the storm runs it’s course? Do you know where the closest shelter is located? Find a safe spot where you can your family can stay and also have a back-up plan in place.

[  ] Preparedness Kit- In the event that you choose not to evacuate, or have to evacuate to somewhere without all the conveniences of home,  you should always have a Hurricane Preparedness Kit handy. Have enough food, water and other necessary items to sustain your family in the event you are stuck without power or aid for at least 5-7 days. Some hurricane kits can be purchased online, however, most homeowners choose to create their own or supplement a purchased kit with their own items. Remember the basics, of course, like bottled water and canned or non-perishable foods which  are a must. However, also keep in mind that you may need lanterns or candles, matches, a first aid kit, a pocket knife, rain coats, etc. Pack all of these things into a large duffel bag or plastic tub where you can access it quickly if you need to grab it and go.

[  ] Before the Storm Hits- Once you have all your hurricane preparedness plans in place, make sure you take care of other necessary tasks.

• Review your disaster plan with your family and make sure they know where to find the preparedness kit and what your evacuation plans will be. 
• Call your home insurance agent! Hurricane season is a perfect time to review your renters or homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of a storm.
• Get your home ready for the storm season by cleaning out gutters, getting hurricane shutters ready and checking your roof for any needed repairs.

Like the old adage we live by around here- it’s better to be safe than sorry. So take a little time to prepare for a storm and it will surely pay off if you need it.