Hurricane Season

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30 and will begin in under 2 weeks. Located along the shores of the Long Island Sound our communities have a much greater chance of flooding than our neighbors further inland. Living in flood and hurricane prone areas require an extra level of awareness of the weather, especially during hurricane season. Here are some tips to prepare for a hurricane.

• Build an emergency kit that contains non-perishable canned food for at least three days, a gallon of water for each person in your household for 3 days, fully stocked first aid kit, disinfectant wipes, soap, hand sanitizer, non-prescription medicines for common ailments, prescription eyeglasses, contact lens cleaner, pet food and water, cash, traveler’s checks, important family and household documents, warm blankets for each person, change of clothes, comfortable and sturdy shoes, fire extinguisher, matches, personal hygiene items,paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, paper, pen, pencil, books, puzzles, deck of cards and other games. 
• Learn evacuation routes in case the need to leave arises.
• Sign up for emergency alerts in your area.
• Keep gutters and drains clear of leaves and debris to allow water to flow freely and not dam up.
• Cover all your windows. Permanent shutters are the best option but you can also board up your home's windows using at least marine plywood that has been cut and ready to install.
• Make sure your garage door is reinforced because if wind gets into your garage it can cause extensive damage.
• Make sure your generator is serviced and operational.
• Remove any outdoor furniture, lawn ornaments, or decorations that can become deadly projectiles during extreme high winds. Move them to the basement.
• Charge up all cell phones, laptops and portable batteries.

Staying safe and alive during a hurricane is very important. These items will help you before, during and after a storm has passed.