Hurricane and Severe Storm Preparedness Part II

Now that you realize that Severe Storm Preparedness is a complicated process, let’s get started. The sooner you are prepared this year, the quicker you will be able to relax knowing you are ready for any severe storm. And, once the major items are out of the way, they don’t have to be done each year from scratch. Use the following list for reminders as you go through the year.

Yearly Check List Part 1:

Replenish Personal Emergency Kits: Add fresh water, medications and food, snacks, games, personal toiletries, wipes, and whatever your family wants to have for a few days. Freshen and fluff pillows, blankets, and clothing. Children may need new supplies since they grow so quickly! Don’t forget diapers and such too. While you are in the emergency kits, update your important papers with any changes that have occurred. Have you gotten your pet supplies replenished?

Check Shutters: Each year you need to double check your shutters and storm doors. Make certain they are is good working condition, not bent or damaged from a previous storm. Flying debris can bang into shutters at amazing rates and can do damage. Check also to make certain that the locking mechanisms are still working properly. Do this before severe weather approaches. You don’t want to have to be in a rush to get a shutter working properly.

Replace or replenish Fuel and Batteries: Check Flashlights, Radios and lanterns as well as cook stoves and grills. Do you need new bulbs for the lights and lanterns? Fresh batteries will last longer as will fresh charcoal and new matches or cooking fuels. Store in watertight containers in a cool place. Store Matches and fire lighters separately from fuel sources.

Look around the Yard again: How many flowing pots do you have this year? Hanging baskets? Fountains, Orbs, Statues or Firepots? Portable Gazebos, children’s swings, play houses, dog houses, and other out buildings? Remember, if two (2) people can move an object, so can wind! Have a plan on what is going where when Severe Weather approaches.

Trim Trees: My neighborhood in Florida had a tree service come out each year to lighten and trim our oak trees in our village. The oaks still had plenty of branches and leaves for shade, but the old, dead limbs were removed and the trees shaped each year. When we went through Charlie, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan, our trees were not so top heavy and were able to sway in the 100+ Mile per Hour winds and not fall over. Also, fewer limbs and branches came down meaning fewer flying objects to bang into houses.

More to come next post! We are going to be Prepared for Severe Storms!