Some people find that living in hurricane-zone Florida is normal just like anywhere else where natural disasters come and go, season per season. Coping with life every hurricane season is just a matter of adjusting and ‘dealing with it‘—an attitude that most Floridians have understood and coped with to enjoy the Floridian lifestyle.
This article is limited to the basics of hurricane safety especially for newly moved residents of Florida, who are new to the ‘hurricane experience’.
Pre-Season Preparation
First, create a ready-made anti-hurricane program plan.
Preparation with knowledge is the key to every Floridian hurricane survival. Most residents prepare their families especially their children about what to do and how to do it. Do research on community programs for hurricane preparedness to find out how workplace and school groups handle hurricane situations. If you’re new to Florida, ask your neighbors if your area is hurricane-prone since they are more knowledgeable about it. Make a well-detailed list or questionnaire so that you’ll know what to do in advance, involving basic questions about basic necessities—food, water, shelter, security, and others. Know the evacuation center’s location, when to go and how to get there, and keep a list of contact persons. Advanced knowledge can help a lot and give you a sense of confidence and courage in tackling a disaster that is about to come. Make sure you have the contact information of ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief if you have a flood or hurricane event to deal with.
Second, ready your property both inside and out. Strengthen and build more structural supports for parts of the house that are the weakest and the most common targets of a hurricane like windows, doors, garages, and, most importantly, rooftops. Trim and clean surrounding shrubs and trees. Inside the house, check if radios are battery-ready, if water bottles are filled with drinking water, and if sanitary water is readily available for bathtubs.
Third, assemble and prepare a hurricane emergency box, which includes basic emergency medical supplies and equipment; first aid kits and medicine, especially maintenance medicine (the hurricane might take weeks); and blankets and pillows with water-resistant pillowcases (at least).
Last, make a reinforced safe room in your house with a three-to-seven-day list of items/goods like food and water, kitchen accessories, hygienic items, flashlights and batteries, tools, and a ‘grab bag’ which includes cash, camera, keys, mobile phones with chargers, and your most important documents.
Before the Hurricane
Always stay alert and be ready to put your plan in action; if there is still have time to review your plan, do it. Double-check everything from your house preparation to your anti-hurricane items. Stay updated with the latest news. Obey advisories for evacuation.
During the Storm
Stay inside your safe room and stay away from windows and doors. Monitor the NOAA radio for latest updates, especially the location of the hurricane’s eye. Perform instructions commanded by local authorities like turning off the power if necessary, avoiding contact with flood waters especially children, and waiting until everything is back to normal.
After the storm
Contact your family and friends to be informed about their status and to inform them about yours. Keep listening to local news for updated information and instructions while keeping watch for extended rainfalls and flooding. If evacuated, follow the local authorities’ instructions before you return. Before going outside, make sure everything is clear and the storm has already left the vicinity. Once confirmed safe, document the damages on your property by taking pictures and videos, for insurance purposes and personal use.
If fortune is on your side, everything will be safe and you’ll have no property damages. However, if you are unfortunate and disaster strikes your property and you need water damage restoration and remediation works, call ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief, Florida’s trusted professionals and experts in residential and commercial restoration for water and storm damages.
ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief takes pride in its level of service when it comes to water and storm damages on your home or business. A water damage emergency can be traumatic and we understand that. Our goal is to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas.
