Are You Good to Go? Hurricane Preparedness for your Home

March 10, 2023

The National Weather Service predicts another above-average hurricane season this year, with three to six major storms likely. To help you prepare, ServiSolutions has compiled our top ten tips for protecting your largest investment – your home.

1. Clear your yard. Bring tools, toys and patio furniture inside. Anything left outdoors, including that cute garden gnome, can become a missile in high winds.
2. Trim your trees. Dead branches and overgrown foliage are more likely to fall during storms, causing more damage to your property.
3. Repair leaks, holes and roof damage. Do everything possible to keep water out and your belongings safe and dry.
4. Clean gutters and clear drains. Having open drains and gutters will help direct water away from your property instead of letting it pool up and enter your home.
5. Secure propane tanks. Filled with explosive fuel, propane tanks are one of the most dangerous projectiles during a hurricane. Shut off the valves and make sure the tank is bolted or tied down in a well-ventilated area in an upright position. Never bring the tank inside your home.
6. Prepare shutters or plywood to cover windows. Flying glass can injure your family, and broken windows leave your property vulnerable to thieves and looters after a storm.
7. Fill sandbags for your doorways. These can keep floodwaters out of your home. A helpful video and written directions are available here.
8. Clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Remove foods that will spoil quickly. Use the coldest settings and open doors as little as possible.
9. Fill tub and other bottles with clean tap water. You’ll want this for bathing, flushing, and general use. Authorities recommend at least three gallons per person.
10. Review your insurance policies. Check with your insurance agent to ensure you have coverage for the full cost of rebuilding your home. Make a list of your belongings. Consider flood insurance, because some homeowner policies cover hurricane damage but not the flood damage that comes afterward.

Don’t wait until a storm is on its way. Many of these tasks can be accomplished in advance of an approaching storm to give you peace of mind and more time to protect your most important investment – your family.