How to Barricade Your Home for a Hurricane: A Guide for Homeowners
Hurricanes are powerful and destructive storms that can cause severe damage to homes and properties. They can also pose serious risks to your safety and well-being. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, you need to know how to barricade your home for a hurricane and protect yourself and your family from the potential impacts.
In this blog post, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about how to barricade your home for a hurricane. I will also share some tips and recommendations on how to reduce the damage and increase the safety of your home in case of a hurricane.
What does it mean to barricade your home for a hurricane?
To barricade your home for a hurricane means to take measures to prevent or minimize the entry of wind, rain, and debris into your home during a hurricane. This can help protect your home from structural damage, water damage, fire hazards, and electrical hazards. It can also help keep you and your family safe from flying objects, broken glass, or falling materials.
Barricading your home for a hurricane involves covering your windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood, sealing any cracks or holes in your walls, roof, or foundation, securing any loose items in your yard or patio, turning off your utilities, and having an emergency kit and a safe room ready.
Why is it important to barricade your home for a hurricane?
It is important to barricade your home for a hurricane because hurricanes can cause devastating effects on homes and properties. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), hurricanes accounted for 42% of all insured catastrophe losses from 1997 to 2016 in the United States, totaling $161.1 billion.
Hurricanes can cause damage to homes in various ways, such as:
Wind damage: Hurricanes can produce strong winds that can exceed 150 mph in some cases. These winds can rip off roofs, siding, shingles, gutters, fences, or chimneys. They can also break windows and doors, allowing wind-driven rain and debris to enter the home.
Water damage: Hurricanes can bring heavy rain and storm surge that can cause flooding in coastal and low-lying areas. Flooding can damage the foundation, walls, floors, carpets, furniture, appliances, and electrical systems of the home. It can also create mold and mildew problems that can affect the health of the occupants.
Debris damage: Hurricanes can generate flying debris that can strike homes and properties. Debris can include tree branches, rocks, gravel, roof tiles, signs, or other objects that can become projectiles in high winds. Debris can damage the exterior and interior of the home, as well as injure or kill people or animals.
Fire damage: Hurricanes can create fire hazards in homes due to power outages, gas leaks, or electrical surges. Fire can spread quickly and consume the home and its contents. It can also cause smoke and soot damage that can affect the air quality and health of the occupants.
By barricading your home for a hurricane, you can reduce the chances of these types of damage occurring or worsening. You can also save money on repairs and insurance claims, as well as protect your personal belongings and sentimental items.
How do I barricade my windows and doors for a hurricane?
One of the most important steps to barricade your home for a hurricane is to cover your windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood. Windows and doors are the weakest points of your home during a hurricane because they can break or fly open due to wind pressure or flying debris.
Storm shutters are metal or plastic panels that are attached to the window or door frame with hinges or bolts. They can be closed manually or automatically when a storm approaches. Storm shutters are durable and effective in protecting windows and doors from wind and debris damage. However, they can be expensive and require professional installation.
Plywood is a cheaper and easier alternative to storm shutters that you can install yourself. Plywood is a type of wood panel that is cut to fit the size of the window or door opening. Plywood should be at least 5/8 inch thick and should be attached to the window or door frame with screws or nails at least 18 inches apart.
To install plywood on your windows and doors, you will need:
A tape measure
A saw
A drill
Screws or nails
A hammer
A ladder
Follow these steps to install plywood on your windows and doors:
Measure the dimensions of the window or door opening and add 8 inches to both the height and width. This will allow the plywood to overlap the frame by 4 inches on each side.
Cut the plywood to the measured size using a saw. You can also ask your local hardware store to cut the plywood for you.
Drill holes on the plywood about 2 inches from the edge and 18 inches apart. The holes should be slightly larger than the screws or nails you will use.
Place the plywood over the window or door and align the holes with the frame. Use a ladder if necessary.
Secure the plywood to the frame with screws or nails using a drill or a hammer. Make sure the plywood is flush with the frame and does not have any gaps or cracks.
How do I seal and secure my roof, walls, and foundation for a hurricane?
Another important step to barricade your home for a hurricane is to seal and secure your roof, walls, and foundation. These are the main structural components of your home that can be damaged by wind, rain, and debris during a hurricane.
To seal and secure your roof, walls, and foundation, you should:
Inspect your roof for any signs of damage, such as missing or loose shingles, tiles, or flashing. Repair or replace any damaged parts as soon as possible.
Apply roofing cement or caulk to any cracks or holes in your roof or around vents, skylights, or chimneys. This will prevent water leakage or structural damage.
Install hurricane straps or clips to connect your roof to the walls of your home. This will strengthen your roof and prevent it from being blown off by high winds.
Inspect your walls for any signs of damage, such as cracks, holes, or gaps. Repair or fill any damaged areas with caulk, mortar, or foam sealant. This will prevent water leakage or structural damage.
Install storm shutters or plywood over your windows and doors to protect them from wind and debris damage. See the previous section for more details on how to do this.
Inspect your foundation for any signs of damage, such as cracks, erosion, or settlement. Repair any damaged areas with concrete patching compound or epoxy injection. This will prevent water leakage or structural damage.
Elevate your foundation if possible to prevent flooding from storm surge or heavy rain. You can do this by adding concrete blocks, piers, or columns under your foundation. This will raise your home above the ground level and create a crawl space underneath.
How do I secure any loose items in my yard or patio for a hurricane?
Another important step to barricade your home for a hurricane is to secure any loose items in your yard or patio that could become projectiles or hazards during a hurricane. These items can include furniture, tools, toys, trash cans, plants, decorations, or anything else that is not fixed to the ground.
To secure any loose items in your yard or patio, you should:
Bring any small items indoors or store them in a shed, garage, basement, or other secure location. This will prevent them from being blown away by high winds or damaged by rain or debris.
Tie down any large items that cannot be moved indoors with ropes, cables, straps, or chains. Anchor them to sturdy structures such as trees, posts, fences, or walls. This will prevent them from being lifted by high winds or thrown by debris.
Cover any items that cannot be tied down with tarps, plastic sheets, blankets, or other protective materials. Secure the covers with ropes, cables, straps, or chains. This will prevent them from being scratched, dented, or soaked by rain or debris.
How do I turn off my utilities for a hurricane?
Another important step to barricade your home for a hurricane is to turn off your utilities such as gas, water, and electricity before the storm hits. This will prevent fires, explosions, or electrocution that could result from power outages, gas leaks, or water damage during a hurricane.
To turn off your utilities for a hurricane, you should:
Locate your main gas valve, water valve, and circuit breaker box in advance and know how to operate them safely.
Turn off your gas valve by rotating it a quarter turn with a wrench until it is perpendicular to the pipe. This will stop the flow of gas to your home.
Turn off your water valve by rotating it clockwise until it stops. This will stop the flow of water to your home.
Turn off your electricity by switching off the main circuit breaker in your circuit breaker box. This will cut off the power supply to your home.
How do I prepare an emergency kit and a safe room for a hurricane?
The final step to barricade your home for a hurricane is to prepare an emergency kit and a safe room for you and your family to stay during the storm. An emergency kit is a collection of items that you may need in case of an emergency, such as water, food, first aid, medications, flashlights, radio, phone chargers, cash, important documents, etc. A safe room is a designated room in your home where you can shelter in place during a hurricane. It should be an interior room with no windows or doors that can withstand strong winds and rain.
To prepare an emergency kit and a safe room for a hurricane, you should:
Gather enough supplies for at least three days for each person and pet in your household. You can use a backpack, a duffel bag, a plastic bin, or any other container to store your supplies. Make sure your supplies are fresh and up to date. Check the expiration dates of your food, water, and medications and replace them as needed.
Store your emergency kit in a safe and accessible location in your home. You should also have a smaller version of your emergency kit in your car in case you need to evacuate. Keep your emergency kit away from heat, moisture, or direct sunlight that could damage your supplies.
Choose a safe room in your home where you can shelter in place during the storm. Preferably an interior room with no windows or doors that can withstand strong winds and rain. Such as a closet, a bathroom, a hallway, or a basement. Avoid rooms with glass or objects that could fall or fly around.
Move your emergency kit and any other essential items to your safe room before the storm hits. This may include clothes, blankets, pillows, mattresses, books, games, toys, or anything else that can make you comfortable and entertained. You should also have a fire extinguisher and a whistle in your safe room in case of emergency.
Stay in your safe room until the storm passes and you receive official confirmation that it is safe to go outside. Listen to the radio or TV for weather updates and emergency information from authorities. Do not go outside during the eye of the storm when the wind may temporarily stop. The wind will resume from the opposite direction with equal or greater force.
Conclusion
Hurricanes are dangerous and unpredictable storms that can cause severe damage to homes and properties. They can also pose serious risks to your safety and well-being. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, you need to know how to barricade your home for a hurricane and protect yourself and your family from the potential impacts.
By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can prepare your home for a hurricane and reduce the damage and danger that it can cause. You can also save money on repairs and insurance claims, as well as protect your personal belongings and sentimental items.
Remember that the best way to protect yourself and your family from hurricanes is to follow the advice of your local community officials. They will tell you when to evacuate or shelter in place, depending on the severity and direction of the storm. Always listen to their instructions and act accordingly.
I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments about how to barricade your home for a hurricane, please feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you.
Stay safe and prepared!
