How to Prepare for a Hurricane and its Aftereffects

By RPS Metal Roofing & Siding.  

There are important tasks homeowners need to do in preparation for a hurricane and once it has passed.  

Editor’s note: Share this helpful guide with your customers who live in hurricane-prone areas. 

It is incredibly important to know how to prepare your home and family for natural disasters. For those living in regions that are susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, it is vital to know exactly how to best protect your home from damage caused by wind, water and debris. In the case of a hurricane, it is also necessary to make sure you are prepared with adequate supplies if sheltering in place or to have a pre-planned evacuation route if evacuating. This preparation and knowledge can save lives and prevent further home damage.  

In the following guide from RPS Metal Roofing & Siding, they have provided a checklist of items to consider when preparing your home and family to weather the impact of a hurricane. And in the event you need to evacuate, what you need to know prior to returning home. To learn how to best fortify your home to have the best chances at withstanding the impact of a hurricane, continue reading the following checklist or view the infographic.  

Preparation and planning  

• Have an evacuation plan ready 
• Locate nearby shelters 
• Map out all possible evacuation routes 
• Clean yard of any debris and trim any long hanging branches or limbs  
• Cover windows and doors with plywood  
• Close or fasten any storm shutters  
• Turn off power and gas if told to evacuate 
• Store cars, motor vehicles and bikes in garage 
• Find a suitable room in the home if sheltering in place 
• Keep vehicle fueled in case of evacuation 

Items to gather  

• An updated map in case power or cellular service is lost  
• Emergency non-perishable food and water supply  
• First aid kit 
• Flashlight and candles 
• Batteries or power banks that are fully charged 
• A written or printed list of emergency contact numbers  
• Battery operated radio  
• Medical records or list of special care needs 
• A satellite phone  

Before you return after evacuation  

• Ensure that authorities have cleared your community for return  
• Check if energy and communications providers are still experiencing outages  
• Leave children and pets with family if possible until you have had a chance to inspect your home and assess any damages  
• Confirm whether local hospitals are open and operational  

Supplies to bring  

• Batteries and power banks  
• Flashlight 
• A camera  
• Water  
• First aid kit 
• Carbon monoxide detector 
• Adult family or friend to assist in damage cleanup  

Things to do  

• Turn off the main electrical circuit breaker and gas lines until they can be properly inspected  
• Smell for gas and leave immediately if you believe there is a leak due to damaged pipelines  
• Take pictures of damage for insurance  
• Remove any furniture and/or drywall that has taken water damage 
• Open all doors and windows for ventilation 
• Clean and disinfect surface areas  

Resources  

• Red Cross 
• National Center for Disaster Preparedness  
• National Hurricane Survival Initiative 
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention 
• National Weather Service 
• Ready.gov 

Original article source: RPS Metal Roofing & Siding