Are You in a Hurricane Zone? Here’s How to Prepare

Hurricane season: that period of time between June 1 and November 30 where hurricanes are likely to form. The east coast is no stranger to these natural disasters. Every year, about one or two hurricanes form in the Atlantic, with 40% of those hitting Florida. So if you’ve lived in Florida for a while, odds are you know how to prepare. But if you don’t, we’re here to help. We’ve laid out a helpful guide on things you should do to prepare for a hurricane.

Prepare Your Windows

Your windows are incredibly important in protecting your home from hurricanes. If something were to happen to one of your windows during a hurricane, enough pressure could build up in your home to blow the roof off, not to mention all the damage that can be caused with debris flying into your home. Luckily, there are a couple of things you can do to protect your windows. For those that don’t have hurricane shutters or impact windows, one of the most popular ways to protect your windows from a hurricane is to board up each window with plywood. You could also apply hurricane film on your window. This will help prevent glass shards from blowing into your home if a piece of debris hits and breaks your windows. Unfortunately, the film will not protect your window or your home if the entire frame is blown in, nor does it address the UV heat factor that new replacement impact windows do. With film on the windows, heat can build up and cause the window to crack. That is why adding a film to the window often voids the warranty from the manufacturer. That being said, the most effective way to truly protect your windows is by replacing them with hurricane impact windows. This way, you can ensure that not just the window, but the frame as well is secure, ensuring that you will be protected from the worst of storms at all times.

Trim Your Trees

If you haven’t had your trees trimmed in a while, now would be the time to do it, before a hurricane starts to form. Hurricane force winds can easily break off loose branches, adding to the amount of debris that’s already flying around during the hurricane, and thereby increasing the chances of damages occurring.

Prepare Your Door

Like with your windows, you need to ensure that your doors are capable of withstanding hurricane force winds and flying debris. You should ensure that not just the door, but the frame as well is able to withstand tremendous forces. Locks, jambs, and hinges should be looked at to guarantee that they will not give way when you need them the most. If your door has any glass, you need to take as much precaution to protect them as you would with any non-impact windows. However, if your door is quite aged or weak, we would strongly recommend looking into replacing the door altogether, as old and/or weak doors are not likely to be capable of withstanding a hurricane.

Know Your Evacuation Route

Even if you have followed the steps we outlined above, you may still be ordered to evacuate. If you do get the order, get out. Because of Florida’s coastal and low-lying geography, we are extremely susceptible to storm surges: “the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm over and above the predicted astronomical tide.”[1] Storm surges are incredibly dangerous. In fact, they actually kill more people than hurricanes do. Be sure to have a plan as to where you’re going to go, and the route you need to take to evacuate. Given the tremendous amount of stress that goes with having to evacuate, this is not something you want to leave until the last minute.

Get Your Windows & Doors Replaced Today

If you’re uncertain as to whether or not your windows and doors are able to withstand a hurricane, there’s no time to wait. Hurricane season will be here before you know it and you need to ensure that you and your home will be protected. Call us today to schedule a completely free, in-home consultation where you will also receive a free estimate. Our experts will sit down with you to discuss your wants and needs, as well as your budget. Together we will work to find the right solution for you and your home. Call us today or fill out one of our quick and easy forms to schedule your appointment!

[1] https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/