On average, Florida is threatened by at least three hurricanes and several more tropical storms per year. And these storm could evolve into something more dangerous and devastating if they impact the area. As the climate changes, hurricanes and other severe storms become greater possibilities along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines. Preparing your Florida home and family for a hurricane is essential, but how? Read on to learn 15 steps to prepare your house for a hurricane, and then contact Eurex Shutters for a consultation to discuss proactive protective measures.
1. Create a Hurricane Emergency Plan
Where will you go? What will you do? What will you bring, and how will you stay safe? Your safety and that of your loved ones should be your biggest priority. Create a hurricane emergency plan by identifying evacuation routes, designating a secure room inside your home, establishing a networked communication plan, and updating your insurance policies to include potential hurricane damage. Make arrangements for your pets and keep loved ones updated with routine drills to practice getting everyone to safety.
Read more in our guide on Hurricane Preparation: How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Southwest Florida
2. Secure Doors, Windows, and Garage Doors
Doors, windows, and garage doors are entry points to your home. These openings stand between your home and the high winds, driving rain, and flying debris outside during a hurricane. If they get broken then the outside elements can and will affect the interior of your house.
Severe hurricanes can reach top speeds of 150 miles per hour or greater. These winds cause havoc on homes and structures. They also launch limbs and other debris through glass panes, which causes more severe issues, such as structural damage.
It is critical to protect these vulnerable openings of your home. That is why it is important to install exterior hurricane shutters or impact windows and doors in Florida to reinforce and secure your home’s weak points.
Garage doors are also a major vulnerability and are often overlooked. But if your garage door is compromised you will have a large opening exposed to the extreme elements. You can install impact garage doors or you can use braces or retrofit kits to withstand damaging elements.
3. Trim Trees and Remove Outdoor Hazards
Trees and outdoor belongings, such as patio furniture or potted plants easily become projectiles in a hurricane’s high winds. Before hurricane season it is a good idea to trim overhanging branches and remove dead or weak trees.
Before a storm hits you should also secure your outdoor furniture, grills and other items that could be launched and cause damage. As a general rule of thumb, if you can lift it you need to either bring it inside or securely tie it down. You can store items inside a garage, an enclosed lanai, or inside your home. Remember it is just temporary.
4. Gather Emergency Supplies and Essentials
Weathering a hurricane means having the right supplies to ensure your safety and the survival of your family and friends. Hurricanes can make roads un-drivable or even leave you stranded. Also, grocery stores run out of food and supplies quickly when a storm hits.
In turn, stock up on non-perishable foods like canned goods (don’t forget the can opener), bottled water (including gallons and 5 gallon jugs), flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and medications. Have cash on hand in case of downed power lines and networks that affect ATMs and bank payment systems. Use a battery-operated radio to stay informed about the storm.
Each member of your household should have a backpack (emergency kit) of essential supplies that they can grab and go at a moment’s notice.
5. Protect Important Valuables and Documents
Flooding is one of the most damaging elements of a hurricane. Flood waters can cause severe water damage to your Florida home. Pack important documents and valuables like passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and financial records in waterproof containers or zip-up plastic bags.
Make digital copies onto a portable USB and secure cloud service and then protect those portable drives. This is important so you have extra sets of essential documents—just in case.
For valuables, containers should be waterproof and fireproof, ensuring optimal safety without sacrificing your sentimental belongings.
6. Reinforce the Roof
Your roof is a vulnerable part of your Florida home, and an intense hurricane can shed shingles like they were nothing. Inspect your roof regularly for loose tiles/shingles, repair weak spots and damaged areas, and consider installing hurricane straps or clips to keep the roof attached to your home’s walls. There are services that will add a third nail to your roof if it is not up to current code. This will help reinforce your roof, and may also qualify you for insurance discounts due to the reinforcement.
Invest in a roof designed to withstand a hurricane, as a reinforced roof can help you avoid catastrophic property damage.
FloridaDisaster.org offers another technique to help strengthen your roof for a hurricane.
Just as important is to protect your windows and doors with hurricane shutters or impact glass. If these glass openings are damaged, your home may become pressurized and cause structural damage.
7. Turn Off Non-Essential Electronics
It is generally recommended to turn off power to non-essential electronics before a hurricane. This can prevent fires and other issues when the power comes back on. Your home’s power should be turned off if recommended by officials, such as if major flooding is expected.
8. Check Your Insurance Coverage
Check and see if your current insurance policy covers hurricane damage. If you live in Florida and have a mortgage are, chances are very strong that your lender requires wind coverage. However, it is best not to assume. Wind coverage can help with damage caused by or related to hurricane winds.
If you are in a flood zone you should ensure that you have flood insurance. Even if you are not in a flood zone, it is a good idea to have a flood policy, given that flooding can cause major damage is not covered under a wind or homeowners policy (generally).
It is also a good idea to document your belongings with photos, videos, and written reports, making the claims process easier in case of damage.
9. Install Surge Protectors
High winds can shake power lines, damaging electrical structures that send surges through your appliances. To safeguard your electrical system, install whole-house surge protectors on your electrical panels for a long-term solution. These are generally affordable to install, and can save expensive damage or replacement costs later on.
10. Elevate Appliances and Electrical Equipment
Some counties in Florida are more flood-prone than others. Flood waters begin at the base level and rise, causing slow damage because water can take weeks or months to drain. Build platforms for big appliances like washing machines and water heaters. Consider hiring an electrician to move the wiring and outlets if you have electrical outlets close to the ground.
11. Stock Up on Fuel
What begins as a warning could quickly escalate to a full-scale evacuation. If you need to evacuate it is important to fill up your vehicle before a storm hits. Gas stations typically are overloaded both before and after a hurricane. They are also overloaded if there is a situation where everyone is trying to evacuate. The state of Florida recommends consistently keeping your car’s gas tank at or near full during hurricane season in case you need to evacuate. This will allow you to get in the vehicle and go vs waiting for or trying to find gas.
If you have a generator then filling adequate gas tanks before an impending hurricane is also a good idea. Stock up for generators, heaters, and other equipment, keeping fuel in safe and approved containers in well-ventilated areas near your home.
12. Install Flood Barriers
Hurricane preparedness often involves barriers, especially along the coastlines. You can use the same concept to protect your home from water damage. Flood gates and sandbags can help combat flooding and absorb or slow waters, keeping your home dryer than it would be without barriers. As storm surge and flooding become worse there are more and more products being created to protect properties from water damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, this is a wise investment.
13. Secure Outdoor Items
Patios and porches are typically furnished like living spaces, allowing Florida residents to observe nature and relax after a long day. During hurricanes, outdoor furnishings become dangerous, destroying windows, doors, and other property when thrown by high winds. Bring in outdoor furniture if you can. Anything you can’t lift or get inside, like large grills or stone tables, you should anchor and tie down with ropes to prevent it from becoming a projectile.
14. Prepare for Power Outages
Power outages occur frequently during severe storms and hurricanes. Prepare with plenty of batteries, flashlights, portable chargers, lanterns, and battery-powered radios. Keep a manual can opener handy for canned goods.
15. Evacuate If Ordered
Florida authorities strive to keep the public updated on a hurricane’s trajectory and the devastation in its wake. Sometimes, an evacuation is necessary, so be attentive to advice and announcements. Run through regular hurricane drills with your household to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an evacuation order. Be quick and safe, and grab prepared essentials like emergency kits and important documents on your way out the door.
In Conclusion
Preparing for a hurricane in Florida requires proactive steps to help keep you safe and reduce the risk of damage and destruction. Following these guidelines is essential to ensuring well-being while protecting your property from high winds and flooding.
To learn more about hurricane preparedness and how hurricane protection products can help protect your Florida home, contact the team at Eurex Shutters now!
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
