26
How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane
When you own a home in an area that could be affected by hurricanes, it's important to plan ahead to prepare both your home and all of the people in your household.
Hurricane damage can cut homeowners off from important services like electricity, internet, phone, and water. These risks are present no matter the strength of the hurricane affecting homes both inland and directly on the coast. While there is no way to eliminate the risk of hurricane damage, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure that your home is prepared.
Weathering the Storm
Being informed is one of the most important steps you can take during hurricane season. You can install a weather app on your phone, watch the local news, or visit the National Hurricane Center's website for the most up to date information on potential storms. Knowing when a storm is coming will give you as much time as possible to prepare.
- Evacuation Routes and "Escape" Supplies – Take the time when the weather is nice to research evacuation routes in your area, and plan ahead so that you have somewhere safe to go in the event of a storm. Make sure that everyone in your household understands your evacuation plan. It's also a good idea to put together a set of tools for evacuation, including a disaster kit, batteries, flashlights, first aid supplies, and emergency cash.
- Prepare Outdoor Areas – If you live in an area with hurricane risk, keeping your outdoor spaces safe can reduce potential damage to your home. Check the trees and shrubs in your yard to make sure that they are healthy, trim them to reduce the risk a fallen branches, and clear out any lawn furniture if the arrival of a hurricane is imminent. If a tree or shrub is not healthy, removing it may be the best course of action.
- Clean Gutters – Hurricanes have the potential to drop tremendous amounts of rainfall in a short time, so it's also a very good idea to clean your gutters regularly, including downspouts. If your gutters are aging, loose, or otherwise not looking their best, it may be time to replace them.
- Ready Your Roof – While you are up cleaning gutters, check the condition of your roof to see if it is in need of repair or reinforcement. Having a professional repair any issues before a storm comes is well worth the cost.
- Purchase Supplies – In addition to the preparedness kit we mentioned above, there are a few items you may want to pick up if a hurricane is coming to your area including plywood to cover windows, fresh water in case of emergency, and batteries for electronics.
- Check Your Home Insurance – No matter how much you do to prepare, hurricanes can still cause serious damage to your home. Check your home insurance to see what coverage you have in the event of a hurricane, and don't wait until the last minute to do so. It is so much easier to take care of these important details ahead of time, when you don't have to worry about the pressure of an incoming storm.
Our REALTORS® are here to help with all of your real estate needs on the Florida coast. Contact Wagner Realty to buy and sell homes in the Sarasota/Bradenton, FL area.
