Growing up on the Atlantic Coast means I've had a fair amount of experience weathering storms. And while I live in the city now, our proximity to the Chesapeake Bay means we're susceptible to many of the same dangers. In 2003, a simple shift in a storm's direction, sent Hurricane Isabel barreling up our bay. With little time to prepare, our downtown streets were soon flooded and many homes under water. As we now anxiously await Hurricane Earl's arrival, we're quickly prepping for the possible storm.
1. Get updates. A storm can weaken or strengthen as it runs its course, so it's best to keep a watchful eye on it. I prefer getting my information online, usually by following NOAA weather (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Of course, there many other websites out there; Stormpulse lets you track storms and their forecasted paths with a website that's a visual treat. Do you rely on TV or the internet when it comes finding out the latest updates?
2. Secure the outside your home. Patios, decks, and balconies are extremely vulnerable, so it's especially important to remove or secure anything that might blow away. Pots, grills, trashcans, and furniture are the first to go, but don't forget about removing trees or limbs that may damage your house or utility lines. Decide what is best for your situation, but often it's necessary to tape or board up windows as well.
3. Secure inside your home. It's wise to assume you might lose power, so have water and food on hand for you and your pets. Also, have any medications you may need nearby. Check flashlights and radios to make sure they are working and keep extra batteries with them. If you do lose power, turn off major appliances such as air conditioners and water heaters to reduce damage. Always unplug sensitive electronic equipment.
4. Park your vehicle in a safer place. Make sure you have a full tank of gas as well as being mindful of where you park your car during a storm. This is especially important — and often difficult — for those of us relying only on street parking. I always make sure my car is not parked under any trees. Even if this means driving my car to the closest parking lot and walking home, it's much easier to deal with this minor inconvenience, than having your car damaged by fallen trees or branches. If you are in lower lying areas, where flooding from storm surges is a real possibility, it's wise to move it to higher ground.
5. Prepare your Boat. If you're a boat owner, you have an added worry, one I know well. We're currently in the process of deciding whether to secure it in the water with extra mooring lines or to store it on it's trailer parked away from low-lying areas.
Is there anything you do to prepare that's not on our list?
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Run for the hills!
But seriously -- get a bunch of gallon-sized jugs of water in case the municipal supply is interruped, or in case you need to get in the car and head inland.
HA! That lady in the photo just read her trendy "Keep Calm" poster on her wall...
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce risks and issues associated with an approaching storm like a hurricane.
If you live in a vulnerable low lying or flood prone area, move valuables, including vehicles, to higher ground or to a higher level in your home to reduce their risk of damage.
If you are unaware of whether you live in a flood prone area, consult the flood map for your community at the Federal Emergency Management Agency website: www.FEMA.gov.
Checking gutters and downspouts and removing clogs and debris will help prevent water leakage problems and basement water problems. Make sure that downspouts are discharging water well away from your home.
Cut, tie, or reinforce wind-vulnerable branches on trees and shrubs.
Check and test basement sump pumps and discharge lines.
Electrical Issues
Make sure you have a sufficient supply of batteries for flashlights/radios and candles for several days of lost power.
If you have a back up electrical generator, make sure you have sufficient fuel to power it for several days. Electrical service is frequently disrupted during hurricanes and severe storms and power disruptions will frequently disable local gas stations. Do not overload generators with power demand that exceeds the unit’s electrical output or amp ratings of connected power cables. When running generators place them outdoors and away from open windows.
If you have a gas or charcoal barbeque grill, make sure you have sufficient gas or charcoal to run it. Loss of power will render stoves inoperable.
Purchase dry and/or plain ice in case of power failure. Slabs of dry ice may be placed in your refrigerator to maintain frozen food and cool temperatures. Make sure you have heavy gloves available to handle dry ice. To maintain temperatures, open your refrigerator as little as possible. Water ice should only be used with food in coolers.
If you live above the 4-5th floor in an apartment building, keep in mind that electric powered building pumps supply water to upper floors. Therefore, should you anticipate being marooned there after a power failure, fill your bathtub, buckets, jugs or other containers with water for cleaning and flushing of toilets. Flush your toilet only when necessary.
Keep cell phones as fully charged as possible while power is available.
If your desktop computer is important enough in your life, consider purchasing a battery back up power supply. This allows you to shut down your computer appropriately at the onset of power loss, or continue to use the computer for a prescribed number of hours during a loss.
Insurance Issues
Know where your auto, tenant, flood, and/or homeowner’s insurance policies are located and read them. Know and understand what your policy provides in coverage, do not depend upon the insurer’s customer service staff to know.
An automobile, motorcycle, or recreational vehicle insurance policy with comprehensive coverage provisions will cover your vehicle for damages from falling trees and branches, flooding, and other hazards. A liability-only policy will not. Vehicle damage from neighbor’s tree falling on your vehicle is covered by your policy and generally not covered by their homeowner’s coverage.
If you do not have tenant’s coverage for your belongings, consider purchasing a policy. Your landlord’s building insurance will not cover loss or damage to your belongings.
Should you incur a loss due to storm damage, notify the insurer immediately and if possible photograph the damage from multiple angles.
Your state department of insurance will have additional information concerning home and vehicle insurance coverage. Should you experience problems with your insurer, they will also provide you with assistance.
New Jersey www.njdobi.org
New York www.ins.state.ny.us
Maryland www.mdinsurance.state.md.us
DC www.disb.dc.gov
Additional disaster preparedness ideas and flood insurance information are available on the www.FEMA.gov website.
ElevatorHappyFun - Your comment has me rolling :)
Make sure the genny is gassed up and start it to make sure it's working properly.
We also take pics of the outside of our house (particularly windows, roof, fence, doors) and valuables inside the home before a hurricane hits in case there's damage that we need insurance to cover. Luckily we only lost our fence during Ike and my sweet uncle drove down from Oklahoma to rebuild it for free!
Charge up your cell phones, laptops and anything else you might want (like portable dvd players) in case power goes out.
Ugh, hurricane Isabelle flooded our back yard for a week. Earl better not move up the Delaware Bay.
As a Floridian one thinks they are ready till reallity hits.