Florida homeowners know that hurricane season is a serious concern. Beyond evacuation plans, taking proactive steps to secure your home can significantly reduce damage and provide peace of mind. Here’s how to fortify your property before the storms hit:
Family & Emergency Preparedness
- Create a Family Emergency Plan: This is paramount. Establish clear communication methods, designate a safe meeting place, and ensure everyone knows what to do if an evacuation becomes necessary.
- Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit: Stock up on essential items. This includes non-perishable food, water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), necessary medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, extra batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
Exterior Property Protection
- Inspect and Repair Your Roof: Your roof is your home’s primary defense against hurricane winds and rain. Check for loose, damaged, or missing shingles, and make all necessary repairs promptly. For long-term protection, consider investing in hurricane-rated roof materials.
- Protect Windows and Doors: Install storm shutters or cut plywood to precisely fit all windows and glass doors. Garage doors are particularly vulnerable to high winds, so reinforce them with bracing kits if they are not already hurricane-rated.
- Trim Trees and Clear Debris: Remove any dead or weak branches from trees and shrubs located near your home. Furthermore, clear your yard of any loose items such as outdoor furniture, grills, toys, and trash cans, as these can easily become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
- Check and Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Ensure your gutters are completely clear of debris. This allows rainwater to flow freely away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can lead to significant water intrusion during heavy rains, causing interior damage.
- Secure Outdoor Structures: Make sure sheds, fences, and any other outdoor structures are properly anchored to the ground. This prevents them from becoming airborne during strong winds, protecting both your property and neighboring ones.
Financial & Flood Preparedness
- Elevate Valuables: If your home is in a flood-prone area, move important belongings, critical documents, and valuable appliances to higher levels of your home. This protects them from potential flooding and water damage.
- Review Your Insurance Policies: Understand your homeowners insurance and, critically, your flood insurance coverage. Remember, standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flood damage resulting from heavy rain or storm surge. If you reside in a high-risk area, it is essential to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.
Evacuation Readiness
- Know Your Evacuation Zone and Routes: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation zones and designated routes well in advance. Do not wait until a hurricane is imminent to figure this out; preparedness is key to a safe and timely evacuation.