June 1 is the opening day of hurricane season for the Atlantic region of North America, as it is every year. For people who live in coastal regions, this can be a very scary time. Hurricane preparations often start well in advance of hurricane season. Many people make preparations to leave their home in advance of a hurricane while other people choose to stay in their homes and hope for the best.
Regardless of whether the family is going to stay or leave, there are important safety precautions and organization steps that should be taken to weather the storm.
Preparing for the Hurricane Season
Fortunately, there is usually at least a few days warning when a hurricane appears to be imminent. In the United States, NOAA is always on top of tropical weather activity and sends out updates on a regular basis. These days are crucial in making sure that everyone who can possibly be saved from tragedy is saved. Being prepared for a hurricane warning should be simple if an organized plan has been put into place.
- Know the locations of emergency shelters and what they require.
- Know the evacuation route and have a map detailing driving directions.
- Have a list of all medications and medical conditions in a safe, easy to access location.
- Have a listing of all emergency numbers and family members’ numbers.
- Purchase a weather radio and make sure it has fresh batteries.
- Scan and make a DVD or CD of all important paperwork – store this in a safe deposit box along with copies of wills and other important papers.
- Make a video of or photograph all items in the house for insurance purposes.
These are things that should be a part of any family’s emergency preparations, be it for a hurricane or other emergency. There are more specific tasks to tend to if the family plans on evacuating the home.
Preparing for Evacuation
Evacuating is a scary and harried event that sends many people into a tailspin. However, with a little pre-planning evacuating can be a smooth, seamless process. The steps listed here can be completed early in the season to avoid forgetting anything during hurricane season.
- Make a folder with all medications listed, doctors names and numbers, and medical conditions.
- Keep all insurance and identification documents easily accessible.
- Some people have all their photos and documents scanned to DVD or CD making them portable and easily stored.
- Prepare a first aid kit and have it ready to go.
If animals are going to travel, make sure to have their medical records easily accessible. Also pack a bag for them with a chew toy, food, clean water and a bowl.
Being prepared with these and other items ready to pick up and go takes some of the worry out of trying to pack for evacuation. This list is not meant to be exhaustive; there are many, many more things that can be done to prepare for a hurricane. The most important thing to do is stay safe and evacuate if necessary, homes can be replaced, and lives can’t.
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