Hurricane Prep Checklist: What to Do Now to Prepare for the Upcoming Hurricane Season

The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, and it’s well-known that the impact of a hurricane on a home and its surroundings can be devastating. Extreme weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rains, and storm surges can cause significant damage to a home and its surroundings. Here’s what you need to know for a hurricane prep checklist.

Due to the long history of hurricanes impacting the state of Florida, inhabitants should take steps to ready their homes for the upcoming hurricane season. Here are the steps of hurricane prep every Florida homeowner should take to prepare for this hurricane season:

Have an Emergency Plan

One of the most important aspects of hurricane prep is having an emergency plan. Having a plan can help reduce the stress and chaos of a hurricane.

When devising an emergency plan, the first thing in this hurricane prep is determining your risk. Is it flooding, is it high winds, or something else? Knowing what damage you may face can help you better plan for it. Also, stay informed about the weather and potential threats in your area.

Next, you should determine what your evacuation routes are. Be sure to know the local evacuation routes in case you need to evacuate. You can also find your local shelters’ locations and ensure you have their contact information. Also, have emergency numbers handy so you can quickly call for help if needed.

Another important thing to do is to secure your emergency documents. Ensure you have your important documents, such as birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, and bank statements, in a safe place.

By creating a plan and preparing for the hurricane season, you can rest assured that you and your family will be ready in an emergency.

Build a Kit

Building an emergency kit’s an essential hurricane prep step. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having a kit with essential supplies for at least three days. This includes food and water, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and other basic supplies.

Depending on your home’s risks, you may need to add items to your FEMA-supplied emergency kit.

With the right supplies and proper storage, you can ensure you have the necessary items to survive during a hurricane.

Be Ready to Evacuate or Stay Home

Evacuating can be difficult, especially if you have personal belongings or pets that you must leave behind. However, it’s important to remember that safety must come first.

Depending on the storm’s severity, authorities may advise that residents evacuate the area. In these cases, it’s imperative that you comply with the evacuation orders. Following the evacuation order is still important even if you have taken all necessary precautions and feel safe in your home. If there is no need to evacuate, it’s important to remain in your home and take extra precautions.

Stay Informed

Floridians must be more prepared than ever to stay informed during an emergency. Access to the latest news and updates can make all the difference in staying safe and responding quickly to any potential threat.

One of the best ways to stay informed is to download apps that give you real-time alerts. These apps will provide up-to-date information about the storm’s path, intensity, and potential threats. This can help you decide whether to evacuate your home or take other measures to protect yourself and your family.

In addition to downloading apps, you should also make sure to have a few other devices ready. Radios are great for staying informed during a hurricane. You can get updates from NOAA weather radio stations and local news stations to keep up with the latest news and advisories.

Also, you should charge your cell phone and other devices to make emergency calls or check for updates. You should also plan to stay connected with your family and friends to stay informed about each other’s safety.

Prepare Your Home

Cleaning your yard and removing any items that may catch a flight and cause additional damage is essential. This is because lawn furniture, grills, toys, and garbage cans can all become airborne and cause damage to homes and other property.

Additionally, these items can cause injury to people if they hit them. Therefore, securing these items before a hurricane is important to minimize the risk of additional damage and injury.

Taking the time to upgrade your home to impact windows and doors is another important step that can help keep your family safe in the event of a storm. These types of windows and doors are designed to withstand high winds and heavy rains that come with a hurricane. This type of protection is much stronger than the traditional plywood and shutters and can give you and your family peace of mind in a severe storm.

Additionally, hurricane–resistant windows and doors are an excellent way to save money in the long run, as they can reduce your energy costs and improve your home’s overall safety and security.

Choose Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors from a Company You Can Trust

Are you considering taking additional steps to protect your home from hurricanes? ARMORVUE is here to help! We are the #1 rated impact window and door company, with over 125 years of combined experience in the industry.

We pride ourselves on being a local company that you can trust. Our high-quality products are made in Florida and are designed to withstand harsh heat, sun, rain, and wind. We also understand the importance of hurricane preparedness and are committed to helping you get the most out of your new products. With a lifetime transferable warranty on all ARMORVUE products, you can trust that your new windows and doors will remain safe and secure for years.

Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation in-home or showroom consultation and estimate.