Imagine this: You’re sitting at home with your family, watching TV or playing games, when you hear a loud siren. You turn on the news and see that a massive hurricane is heading your way. It’s already too late to evacuate. You have no idea what to do. You panic. You feel helpless. You wonder if you’ll survive.
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This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is a reality for millions of people who live in areas prone to hurricanes. Hurricanes are monstrous storms that can wipe out entire cities and towns in a matter of hours. They can unleash winds of over 200 mph, dump inches of rain, create walls of water that surge inland, flood homes and roads, and spawn deadly tornadoes.
Hurricanes are not something to take lightly. They can kill you, injure you, or leave you homeless. They can destroy everything you own and love. They can traumatize you for life.
But there is something you can do to protect yourself and your family from hurricanes. You can create a family disaster plan for hurricanes. A family disaster plan is a lifesaver. It’s a blueprint for how to prepare, respond, and recover from a hurricane. It’s a way to stay calm, confident, and in control during a crisis.
In this blog post, we will show you how to create a family disaster plan for hurricanes that works for you and your family. We will walk you through the essential steps of planning, such as knowing your risks, making an evacuation plan, gathering emergency supplies, securing your home, and staying informed. We will also give you some helpful tips and tricks to make your plan more effective and efficient. By following our advice, you can be ready for any hurricane that may strike.
The first step in creating a family disaster plan for hurricanes is to assess your risk of storm surge flooding. Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water caused by a hurricane’s winds pushing water toward the shore. Storm surge can be very dangerous and destructive, but you can take steps to reduce your exposure and vulnerability.
Fortunately, there are some resources and tools that can help you assess your risk of storm surge flooding. One of them is FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, which provides online access to flood hazard maps and information. You can enter your address or place name and view the flood zones and base flood elevations for your area. You can also download and print the maps for future reference.
Another tool is NOAA’s Storm Surge Inundation Map, which shows the areas that could be flooded by storm surge from different categories of hurricanes. You can select a hurricane category and a location and see the potential storm surge flooding in feet above ground level. You can also zoom in and out and pan around the map to explore different areas.
By using these tools, you can get a better understanding of your storm surge risk and plan accordingly. The next step is to identify safe places where you and your family can shelter during a hurricane.
The safest place to be during a hurricane is away from the storm surge zone. If you live in an evacuation zone, you should follow the instructions of your local authorities and evacuate as soon as possible. You should have a pre-determined destination and route that are well inland and out of harm’s way.
If you are not in an evacuation zone, you should stay at home or go to a nearby shelter that is sturdy and secure. The best place to shelter in your home is an interior room on the lowest level that has no windows or exterior doors. This could be a closet, bathroom, hallway, or basement. You should avoid rooms that are near the coast, facing the direction of the storm, or have large glass windows or doors.
If you go to a public shelter, you should bring your emergency supplies kit, personal documents, medications, and any special items for children, pets, or elderly members of your family. You should also follow the guidelines of the shelter staff and practice social distancing and hygiene measures to prevent the spread of various illnesses and bacteria.
By identifying safe places to shelter during a hurricane, you can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of storm surge flooding. You can also feel more confident and hopeful that you will survive and recover from a hurricane. It is important to remember humans are social animals and having a community of neighbors, friends, and family that will help each other in times of need, is an invaluable asset to get through any disaster. Be sure to share this with those you love so they are aware of how to properly prepare for a disaster, and talk about some ways you could help each other and be on the lookout for a future post about community preparedness.
Communication is key during a hurricane, as it can help you stay informed, coordinated, and safe. However, communication can also be challenging due to power outages, network congestion, or damage to infrastructure.
To communicate effectively with your family and community during a hurricane, you should:
Use text messages or social media instead of voice calls, as they use less bandwidth and can be sent even when the signal is weak
Use apps or websites that allow you to mark yourself as safe or check on others, such as Facebook’s Safety Check or the American Red Cross’s Safe and Well
Use apps or websites that allow you to request or offer help, such as CrowdSource Rescue or Mutual Aid Hub
Use battery-powered or hand-crank radios to listen to local news and weather updates
Use ham radios or walkie-talkies to communicate with other people in your area who have similar devices
One or more of these options should be included in your disaster kit. A disaster kit is a collection of items that can help you survive and cope with the effects of a hurricane, such as food, water, clothing, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, radios, etc. You should have enough supplies to last for at least three days, or longer if possible.
Preparing an emergency kit for hurricanes is one of the best ways to be ready for a potential disaster. A hurricane can cause strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, storm surges, and power outages that can last for days or weeks. Having an emergency kit can help you survive and cope with these effects.
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Here are the essential items that you should include in your emergency kit:
Water: one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. You can store water in clean plastic bottles or containers, or buy bottled water. You can also purify water by boiling it or using bleach or purification tablets.
Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. You can choose food that is easy to prepare and eat, such as canned goods, dry goods, energy bars, nuts, dried fruits, etc. You should also have a manual can opener and utensils.
Medications: a seven-day supply of prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. You should also have a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, etc.
Flashlights and batteries: a flashlight and extra batteries for each person. You can also have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to listen to news and weather updates. You should avoid candles or open flames as they can cause fires.
Radios: a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with NOAA weather channels. You can also have a ham radio or walkie-talkie to communicate with other people in your area who have similar devices.
Cash: some cash or traveler’s checks and change. You may need cash to buy supplies or services if ATMs are not working or credit cards are not accepted.
Documents: copies of important documents such as IDs, insurance policies, medical records, bank account information, etc. You should store them in a waterproof bag or container and keep them with you at all times.
Special items: items that are specific to your needs or preferences, such as clothing, bedding, hygiene products, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, etc12. You should also have items for children, pets, or people with disabilities, such as toys, games, diapers, formula, pet food, leashes, etc.
To store and maintain your emergency kit, you should:
Keep your kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack, duffel bag, or plastic bin . This will make it easier for you to grab your kit and go if you need to evacuate quickly. It will also protect your items from water, dust, or insects.
Label your kit with your name and contact information. This will help you identify your kit if it gets lost or mixed up with others. It will also help others contact you or your family in case of an emergency.
Store your kit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This will prevent your items from spoiling, melting, or catching fire. You should also avoid storing your kit in places that are prone to flooding, such as basements or garages.
Check your kit regularly and replace any expired or damaged items . This will ensure that your items are fresh and functional when you need them. You should check the expiration dates of your food, water, and medications, and replace them as needed. You should also inspect your batteries, flashlights, radios, and other devices for any signs of corrosion or damage.
Update your kit according to the season and your changing needs . This will help you adapt to the different weather conditions and hazards that you may face throughout the year. You should also update your kit according to any changes in your family size, health status, location, or preferences.
To customize your emergency kit according to your needs, you should:
Consider the size of your family and the space available in your home or vehicle. This will help you determine how much and what kind of supplies you need to pack. You should have enough supplies for each member of your family, including pets. You should also consider the space and weight limitations of your home or vehicle, and pack accordingly.
Think about the type and severity of the hazards that you may face in your area. This will help you prepare for the specific risks and challenges that you may encounter during a hurricane. For example, if you live in a coastal area, you may need to prepare for storm surges and flooding. If you live in a rural area, you may need to prepare for power outages and limited access to services.
Include items that are relevant to your location and climate. This will help you cope with the environmental factors that may affect your comfort and safety during a hurricane. For example, if you live in a hot and humid area, you may need to include more water and cooling items. If you live in a cold and snowy area, you may need to include more warm clothing and heating items.
Add items that are important to you or make you feel comfortable. This will help you reduce stress and anxiety during a disaster. For example, you may want to include some personal items such as photos, books, music, or games. You may also want to include some comfort items such as snacks, drinks, or candles.
Now we will touch on how to prepare your home for a hurricane, such as securing doors and windows, trimming trees and shrubs, clearing gutters and drains, moving outdoor furniture and objects indoors or anchoring them down, documenting and insuring your property, and safeguarding critical documents and valuables. By following these suggestions, you can reduce the impact of a hurricane on your home and increase your chances of survival.
Secure doors and windows: You can install hurricane-proof doors and storm shutters to protect your home from strong winds and flying debris. You can also cover or reinforce vulnerable areas with plywood or shutters1.
Trim trees and shrubs: You can prune any weak or dead branches that could fall on your house or power lines during a storm.
Clear gutters and drains: You can remove any leaves, dirt, or debris that could clog your gutters and drains and cause water damage to your roof or foundation1.
Move outdoor furniture and objects indoors or anchor them down: You can bring in any items that could become projectiles in high winds, such as patio furniture, potted plants, toys, trash cans, etc. If you can’t move them indoors, you can secure them with ropes, straps, or chains.
Document and insure your property: You can create a detailed inventory of everything you own, including photos, videos, receipts, appraisals, etc. You can store this inventory in a safe place, such as a waterproof and fireproof box, a bank deposit box, or a cloud service. You can also review your insurance policies and make sure you have adequate coverage for flood, wind, and other hazards. You can contact your insurance agent or company to discuss your options and update your policies if needed.
Safeguard critical documents and valuables: You can keep important papers and items in a waterproof container or bag, such as passports, birth certificates, deeds, titles, insurance policies, medical records, prescriptions, cash, jewelry, etc. You can also make copies of these documents and store them in a separate location or online.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned some useful tips on how to prepare your home for a hurricane. Hurricanes are no joke, and they can strike at any time, so it is better to be ready than sorry. By following the suggestions we shared, you can minimize the damage to your home and property, and maximize your safety and comfort. Remember, the best way to survive a hurricane is to plan ahead and take action before, during, and after the storm. If you want to learn more about hurricanes, survival, and preparedness, please subscribe to our blog and check out our other posts. We are The Ultimate Survival Companion, and we are here to help you face any disaster with confidence and courage. Thank you for reading and stay safe!
