We all remember Hurricane Katrina, probably because it was the 3rd most severe, deadliest storm in U.S. history. In fact, hurricanes kill more people than any other kind of storm, and with climate change slowly but surely dawning on the country as a reality, people are starting to realize that Katrina may not be the end of it. Below are a few tips on how to prepare for hurricanes:
1. Fortify your windows before the storm hits.
There’s a famous episode of Louie where his ex wife is desperately trying to use duct tape on her windows while a hurricane is in progress. (Clearly she forgot to Google “How to prepare your home for a hurricane”). Of course, since hurricane winds can reach up to 200 mph, she fails miserably and the window breaks.
Don’t let this be you. Rolling storm shutters are a long term investment that should be a part of every hurricane preparedness plan. With accordion storm shutters, you can help keep unwanted wind and tree branches out while also protecting your home’s interior from any shattered glass. Also, when investing in rolling storm shutters, consider extra hurricane window film for added glass support. Finally, if rolling storm shutters are out of your price range, we really suggest putting a little bit of money away before next spring. High velocity hurricane shutters may be what separates you from the guy who needs to spend hundreds replacing all his windows.
2. Stock up on food and supplies.
In the movies, the storm always seems to last for a single night or until the protagonist can find his girlfriend. However, a real hurricane can last anywhere between 10 days to weeks, and then of course there’s the clean-up and the delay before your town runs normally again. Have a pantry stocked with easy-to-make canned goods, batteries, flashlights, a gas tank, and bottled water so that life’s post-storm inconveniences won’t stop you in your tracks.
3. Have an emergency stack of cash.
After Superstorm Sandy, one problem that stymied traumatized New Yorkers everywhere was that all the ATMs were down for at least three days. This left people without cash essentially destitute and in a precarious position. If possible, have a couple of dollars saved up for that initial post-storm run for coffee, gas, etc.
4. Have an evacuation plan.
A lot of people are caught off guard when they are ordered to evacuate the area during a hurricane. It’s always good to know where the higher ground in your region is and to have something set up with a friend or relative before disaster strikes. That way, you’ll be able to get moving faster if necessary and won’t feel like such an unexpected, burdensome house guest.
Please, if we’ve forgotten anything, let us know. And if you say “the zombies,” we will tell you to leave.
