Hurricane Preparedness

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Are you ready?

Hurricane Season starts June 1^st, get prepared now!

Living in or near a coastal county, you’re most likely already accustomed to stalking the weather channel during Hurricane Season. The more you can prepare ahead of time, the less frustration you’ll have in the event a hurricane threatens the Gulf Coast. And, you will thank yourself later, I promise.

Follow these 4 Steps for successful Hurricane Preparedness.

• Start putting together a disaster supply kit now. Getting a jump on this will help prevent a last-minute run to the store only to find empty shelves, and you can save yourself from incurring the expense all at once. Get a medium-sized plastic, sealable container to keep everything dry and together. Include a flashlight (or few), extra batteries, cash, first aid supplies, water, portable chargers (fully charged), an extra pair of contacts (if needed) and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate. 
• Create an evacuation plan. In the event your area is ordered to evacuate, having a plan in place will save you a lot of stress. Know the local hurricane route(s) and have a plan for where to stay. Make sure your plan includes supplies you may need while you’re traveling. Traffic on hurricane evacuation routes can seriously delay normal travel times, so be sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks for the kiddos and pets. Also, consider packing a small “entertainment box” in advance for each child, stuffed with their favorite (quiet) activities. Including something new, such as a travel game or new movie can help curb boredom. You’ll want to keep them as entertained as possible. You might also want to throw a roll or two of toilet paper in your disaster supply kit (trust me on this one). An extra gas can (full, of course) won’t hurt either. 
• Stock up on supplies. If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you plan to weather the storm in place, be sure you have adequate supplies. Make sure your portable generator is working, and you have plenty of gas on-hand. You may lose power and water for several days and you may not be able to leave due to flooding. Have a one-week supply of non-perishable food and water for each person. Don’t forget to get those prescriptions filled, also. If you have infants, stock up on diapers, wipes, and formula.
• Prepare your home. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds. Secure loose rain gutters and clear them of debris. Also, bring in any outdoor furniture or toys that could get tossed around, damaging your, or even your neighbor’s, home. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings and use a cooler when possible to keep food cold during a power outage. Fill your bathtub(s) with water for use in flushing toilets, especially crucial for those who have septic systems when the power goes out.

If your home suffers storm damage during Hurricane Season, count on the professionals at SERVPRO of S. Pasadena to restore your property to pre-disaster condition. "Like it never even happened." Please call Kimberly at 281-520-8197 any time of the day or night for assistance.