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!

Are you Ready for a New Hurricane Season?

Well, Hurricane Season is here again and will be here until November 31st! Are you prepared for a hurricane or any other severe storm? Hurricanes are not the only storms that cause damage and changes in our lives for days or even years! So now, think ahead if you live in a northern climate with snow and ice storms, or in the mid-west with Tornadoes and floods. Whether it is an earth quake or a severe thunder storm, we all need to have some advance preparation.

Do you have a storm survival kit for each member of your family including the pets? Do you have a severe storm evacuation plan for your home in case of storm damage? How about a plan of what to do in case of an mandatory evacuation of your area due to storms? Where will you go? What about your pets? Do you have a horse?

Do you have your important documents in a safe location? Do you have copies of these papers with a family member or friend in another area of the country?

Do you have medical needs that require medications on a daily or weekly basis? Do you have medical needs that require electricity? Do you have a generator? How is it fueled? What can it support? How long will your fuel last? Do you have an outside place to keep the generator?

Do you have a portable cook stove for boiling water & making hot food? Flashlights? Batteries? Solar lights?

Do you have a food supply that does not require refrigeration? Do you have a well or other source for water?

Do you have a chain saw, axe, clippers and such that are not electric? Do you have shutters for your windows and doors? Do you know when to put them on your windows?

Do you know where the safe place is in your home in case of high winds? Does the family know?

Do you have neighbors that might need your help? Do you need help with heavy items?

Did you know that if two people can pick up an item in your yard, so can wind? So where are you going to store all that lawn furniture and hanging baskets and such?

I know this sounds like a lot of things to think about, but having lived through 4 Hurricanes in Florida during 2004, I have a good feel for what happens during severe weather. Being prepared is the only way to enter storm season. Don't wait until the last minute to get your supplies! Do it now and rest easy the rest of the season!