With Dorian just off the coast, there is no better time to ensure that you are properly prepared for a hurricane to make landfall. Here are our tips for preparing yourself and your family for an oncoming storm:
- Meet with your insurance agent to make sure that you are adequately covered.
- Gather all important documents –
- Including your insurance paperwork, bank statements, and identification - and place them in zip lock bags to protect from water damage.
- If possible, scan and maintain a digital back up of your documents. Keep these documents in a safe place, like a fireproof safe.
- Gather supplies for your emergency supply kit. This kit should include:
- One gallon of water per person for at least 3 days (for drinking and sanitation).
- Enough non-perishable food items to last 3 days. Make sure to have a can opener if your kit contains canned items.
- A battery or hand crank weather radio and extra batteries, if necessary.
- Flash light and extra batteries.
- A first aid kit
- Moist towelettes or baby wipes.
- Sleeping bags or blankets for each person.
- Cash and change.
- Cell phone with charge and inverter.
- Take a personal inventory of your home and contents using inventory software or a video camera –
- You should also take photos of the outside of your home to have in case of damage. Make sure a backup of this information is contained with your important documents.
- Install hurricane shutters over windows, doors, and garage doors.
- Make sure your car’s tank is full.
- Bring in all loose items from outside.
- Trim your trees and shrubs and make sure there is no loose debris in your yard.
- Make sure you have a family emergency plan in place –
- This should include an out of town contact and a meeting place, in case you separate. FEMA has a great tool to help create this plan. Visit www.floridadisaster.org.
Please refer to our Hurricane Preparedness Guide for further information including safety instructions for during and after a storm, as well as a list of emergency contacts: