No matter where you live in the U.S., you’ve heard about hurricane season.
These storms have the potential to devastate coastlines, stretching from islands in the Caribbean, up, down and around the country. For all the news coverage they can garner, on average, there aren’t that many hurricanes per year.
In fact, in a typical year, we only see 12 named storms. This includes hurricanes, but also tropical depressions or storms. Of these 12, around six end up as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. An additional three edge up to major hurricanes at a Category 3, 4 or 5.
Even one hurricane can do a lot of damage, so if you live in an area where hurricanes happen, it’s always best to prepare.
In this guide:
Knowing when and where hurricanes are coming
Hurricane season begins in June and extends to November. This is the primary time hurricanes appear, although they can show up all year. Since they need water to gain strength, hurricanes are most likely found along the coast or blowing over islands.
Historically, the most likely county to get hit by a hurricane in the U.S. is Monroe County, FL. Other commonly affected areas include coastal towns in Louisiana and North Carolina. Living in any of these spots definitely ups your risk for encountering a hurricane. Are you ready if one does come through?
Preparing for a hurricane
There’s a definite benefit to preparing for a hurricane before there’s ever a chance of encountering one. But, this is only necessary if you live in an area that’s likely to experience a hurricane. It’s always a good idea to check if the city you live in does have a higher chance of any natural disaster.
If you live in a flood plain, consider having a plan in place for heavy rains or flood warnings. If you live in the infamous Tornado Alley, make sure you’re prepared for a twister to come whipping through town.
Hurricanes are a little different in that they usually move slowly enough that you have some warning. Even without a plan in place, you should have time for some hurricane preparedness once one is already on its way.
If you live in an apartment, the best resource is your apartment manager. They’ll monitor the situation and keep you informed on what actions they’re taking and what you’ll need to do yourself. While you wait for this information to come through, start securing any belongings you have outside your unit.
- Bring in what you can, including patio furniture, potted plants and yard décor. These can all quickly turn into loaded missiles in heavy winds.
- If you live in an apartment that has storm windows, make sure they’re closed
Added precautions at sea level
If you live in a ground-floor apartment near the coast, you’ll need to make a few extra preparations since there’s good chance water will come into your unit. Keep an eye on the forecast for a storm surge.
This occurs when water from the ocean gets pushed into the shore by hurricane-force winds. The water then combines with normal tides and can increase the water level by 30 feet or more. This movement of all this water can cause serious damage and flooding.
To prepare for this specific side effect of a hurricane:
- Make sure your building’s maintenance staff has cleared all debris from the gutters and downspouts so water can flow freely
- Unplug all electrical items and relocate them up as high as safely possible
- Roll up any rugs and store them at a higher level, as well
Deciding whether to stay or evacuate
The next step, after initial preparations, is to decide whether to stay and ride out the storm at home or go somewhere else. In either case, it’s important to have the right supplies to be hurricane-ready and safe.
Staying through the storm
The trick to riding out a hurricane at home is being prepared for any possible scenario, including the worst case. This means anticipating things like no power, no food or drinkable water, no way to contact others for help and no ability to leave.
In order to cover your bases, it’s best to stock up on some essential items as early on as possible, including:
- Portable radio
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Bottled drinking water
- Canned and dried food
- Candles
- Matches
- First-aid kit
- Bug spray
- A few battery-operated fans with extra batteries
- A few books or magazines for entertainment if there’s no power
You should also make sure you’ve recently filled any prescription medications and have fully-charged your phone. If you’re worried about not having enough water, prior to the hurricane hitting, fill up your bathtub. Doing this allows you to save your bottled water for drinking. The tub provides a ready-supply of water to flush toilets or clean dishes if you lose access to running water.
If you have a bicycle, make sure there’s air in the tires and it’s ready to go. This may be your only mode of transportation immediately following the hurricane. Make a list of emergency numbers, and put it into your phone, but also have a written copy just in case. This should include ways to get in touch with your property manager, your utility companies, the closest hospital and any other emergency services you think you may need to access after the hurricane passes through.
Moving to a safer location
If you decide it’s better to weather the storm away from home, make sure you fill up your car with gas as early as possible. If everyone else is trying to leave when you do, you’ll have a hard time at a gas station.
If you’re going to a hotel, try and make a reservation as far in advance as possible. Hotels and other accommodations, like Airbnb, will fill up fast. When you get to your alternate location, make sure not to park under any large trees. It won’t guarantee your car will stay in one piece, but it helps your odds.
Before you go, make sure to:
- Empty your fridge and freezer. There’s a good chance food will spoil and you don’t want to come home to a terrible smell.
- Make arrangements for your pet if you can’t take them with you. Either give them to someone else who can safely care for them or set out large amounts of food and freshwater up on a counter. This is mostly done in a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, for stronger storms, it’s best to evacuate your pet, as well.
- Pack up your important papers and small valuables to bring with you. Include all essential paperwork, electronics and irreplaceable items. This includes licenses, ownership titles, your passport, insurance policies, deeds, wills, personal letters and photographs, jewelry and smaller, irreplaceable items. Place everything in a water-tight box or portable safe.
- Relocate anything you can’t take with you to higher ground within your apartment
- Pack up enough clothes for at least a week. Assume you won’t get back to your apartment quickly and most likely won’t have access to laundry.
- Tell a trusted friend or family member where you’re going and how best to reach you. Consider leaving a key with someone who’s staying close should you want an update on the damage post-hurricane. Inform your property manager you’re leaving as well.
What to do in a mandatory evacuation
In some cases, you might have no choice whether to stay or go. If a mandatory evacuation is ordered, it’s most likely because your home is in the path of a hurricane. Get out to stay safe. Although, when enacted by government officials, a mandatory evacuation doesn’t mean you’re legally obligated to leave. It means that by staying, you forfeit your right to emergency services even if you need them.
When a mandatory evacuation gets called, it means officials anticipate situations that could result in downed trees, impassable roads, structural damage and a lack of power and water. Ignoring this warning and staying puts you on your own, no matter what.
According to The Weather Channel, if you ignore a mandatory evacuation, you should prepare to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after the hurricane passes. This is potentially a very dangerous and isolated place to be.
Crafting a hurricane preparedness checklist
Preparing for a hurricane means making a lot of major decisions even before you begin saving your stuff. Do I stay? Do I go? Am I prepared to handle the after-effects of a hurricane? You don’t want to have to figure all this out as a hurricane approaches.
To avoid the stress of too many last-minute decisions, it’s best to do a little preparation when times are quiet. Pick a sunny, warm day and craft a hurricane preparedness checklist.
Staying safe by knowing how to prepare for a hurricane
Whether you stay, go, get evacuated or spend hours preparing to ride it out, hurricanes are scary and unpredictable. If you do live in an area where hurricanes are common, make sure you’re prepared.
Talk to your property manager about safety precautions in your building, decide on a plan for yourself to keep your stuff secure and most of all take it seriously. However you ride out a hurricane, stay safe and out of the weather.
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Source: apartmentguide.com