Almost nothing is immune to the destruction that nature may inflict when it strikes. Floods, tornadoes, and deadly hurricanes are just a few examples of catastrophic weather events that cause millions of dollars in damage.
When Mother Nature decides to be unpredictable, we usually have little choice but to relocate out of the way or make every attempt to preserve our property.
Randy Wagner of Texas used this identical line of action to protect his property during hurricane season. Randy may have paid up to $8,300 on a 400-foot-long plastic sheet to protect his property from flooding during the hurricane.
Many of his friends and neighbors believed it was a poor investment and unnecessary to spend so much money on plastic and so much time installing it.
But to them, Randy’s perfectly reasonable plan to defend his home against the storm sounded mad. Randy, contrary to his neighbors’ expectations, erected a 400-foot wall around his house to keep the water out. His $8,300 investment eventually spared him from damages that could have cost as much as $150,000 to fix.
Just like Randy, it is critical to understand what safety actions to take when a storm approaches. These simple guidelines may be beneficial. You should always be aware of your surroundings and familiar with the best evacuation routes before receiving an order to leave. Also, make preparations for where you will stay. Include everything you need in an emergency kit bag, such as a flashlight, batteries, cash, basic first-aid supplies, and medicine.
Never return home after receiving instructions to leave. If you have not received a warning to leave and plan to stay at home, prepare emergency supplies that can sustain you for several days in the event of a power or water outage. Imagine how your family and community will communicate in an emergency.
To avoid and limit damage during a storm, you should try to protect your house. Before hurricane season, prune any adjacent tree limbs that might fall during a blast of wind and cause property damage.
To prepare your property for the extra water, clean any clogged gutters and remove any debris. You must secure and fortify the roof, windows, and doors to ensure they can resist the impact of the impending weather.
Storms nearly always create power outages, so prepare by building or purchasing a portable generator. If you have the resources, consider constructing an “ICC 500 storm shelter” or a “FEME safe room” above flood levels to protect yourself from strong winds.
If you are not fleeing, stay home and notify friends and family. It is not advisable to drive during a storm. If you’re sheltering in place at home during a hurricane, close all of the windows and storm shutters and keep a safe distance away from them to avoid injuries from shattered windows.
Set your refrigerator to the coldest setting to keep your food fresher for longer, even if you lose power. Try to pay attention to the weather and emergency alerts.
When a storm is 36 hours away, what should you do?
Watch TV or use other devices to stay informed about weather and emergencies. Make sure the emergency kit you put together contains all of the needs in the proper quantities. Set up a reliable mode of contact; ideally, this will be via email or SMS messaging rather than phone conversations.
Again, go over the evacuation plan with your family. Keep your automobile nearby and in functioning shape in case you need to leave right away. When a storm is 18–36 hours away, what should you do?
Add your city’s webpage to your favorites to get quick access to weather, emergency alerts, and directions. Take out any lightweight items, like patio furniture and garbage cans, that high winds can easily propel. If it’s safe, bring them inside, but keep dangerous equipment like gas tanks outside. Verify the proper sealing of all your windows. You might be able to board up the windows.
When a storm is six to eighteen hours away, what should you do?
For the latest information, turn on your TV and radio. Check the weather website every 30 minutes for updates. Storms can change their direction quickly and dramatically. Additionally, ensure that all your phones have a full charge in case the power goes out. What happens after a hurricane?
Keep a lookout for guidance and updates, and check in with your family members to ensure they are all okay. Wait until you are absolutely confident it is safe to come home.
When returning home, avoid driving or walking through floodwaters since they can be dangerous and conceal risky areas where the earth has become unstable or washed away.
Downed power lines may potentially introduce electricity into the water. Take a photograph of any property damage for insurance purposes. Please join us in praying for those who have lost friends and family due to the recent hurricanes. Always be cautious. Being cautious is preferable to regretting it.