Hurricane season officially began on June 1st. It will last until the end of November. 2017 was a busy year for tropical storms and hurricanes. At times people were wondering if 2017 was going to be the worse year we’ve ever had in terms of hurricanes. With storms brewing on the coastal horizon, it is wise to address the needs of the many people who live in areas, such as Florida, who deal with hurricanes often. A Florida hurricane can pop up at any given time during the hurricane season. Lately, it appears like they often do. With storms being so consistent, it is always smart to go over proper hurricane preparation. These preparations would include things such as: what a person needs to prepare, how to waterproof or protect their house as much as possible, and how to reach out for legal support if needed.
What Do I Need to Prepare for a Hurricane?
When it comes to hurricane preparation people often feel overwhelmed. A hurricane hitting your home is a situation that tends to cause a raised level of anxiety. It is 1st important that you do not panic. Remember, there is nothing you can do to move, stop or sway this hurricane. The only thing you can do is stay calm and plan for the worse, as best as you possibly can.
To begin, let’s take a look at some of the most common emergency supplies in preparation for a storm.
- Bottled Water: It is important to remember that you will need enough water for everyone for at least a few days. A typical person needs about a gallon of water a day, while dogs need 1.75L of water per day. Cats will need significantly less water than this.
- Radio: Keeping a battery powered or wind up radio is important to gather news as to what is currently happening in your emergency situation, you can also have a radio or cell phone to call out for help if required.
- Canned Goods: Remember to gather enough food for everyone for a couple of days. Canned food is perfect as it last longer and does not spoil without refrigeration.
- Medical Supplies: Always keep adequate medical supplies on hand in case of a medical emergency. Simple things like bandages, gauze, antiseptic and other disinfectants can be useful. You can also add in simple medications such as over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Flashlight: Remember to keep at least 1 flashlight with your emergency kit. The electric will likely go out during a hurricane and you will require light.
There are always less significant and less common materials that people often keep on hand, some of these include things such as:
- Toilet paper
- Manual can opener
- Hygiene products
- Medical guides, printed from the internet
- Flares
- Jumping Cables
- Can of Gasoline
Keep in mind that many people also add additional ice to their refrigerators and freezers to store their water and to help keep food longer. It is important that if you do this, you remember to keep the fridge and freezer door closed as much as possible. By keeping the cold locked in the airtight space, you ensure that your food does not spoil very quickly. If your foo spoils and you eat it, you risk illness in an emergency situation. Which, of course, can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Protect Your House
In addition to proper flood insurance, make sure you fortify your house to protect glass windows and reduce water damage. A Florida hurricane can devastate your house, protect it with the following tips:
- Board up windows
- Turn gas and power off
- Keep trees cut away from the house
If you decide to stay home during a hurricane always remember to make a family plan and designate a safe room for your family. Follow the tips on turning the gas and power off to prevent gas leaks and potential fires. Remember to board up all windows to reduce shattering glass and prevent injuries.
What About Legal Help When It Comes to Damage?
You would not think to link together legal advice and hurricane damage. However, more times than not, people find themselves on one side of a legal battle after a natural disaster. There are many times a person may need to seek the advice of a lawyer after a hurricane.
Many flood insurance and house insurance policies try to word things in their contracts and plan to trick members. You may find yourself on the worse end of this after a hurricane strikes and destroys your home. There are laws protecting the people against unfair practices in insurance claims. Do not simply take “no” for an answer from your insurance provider. Always seek legal advice as to what can and cannot be covered. There is no reason for you as an insurance holder to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in insurance yearly just to be told that you are not covered. Seeking legal advice can help with damage and allow you to rebuild what you lose.
You can also use a legal team to help with damage to your business. Be sure to obtain proper insurance for your business alongside your house. Be sure to utilize a legal team to assess the damage done to your business and to your house. While flood insurance companies can provide these services, their quotes can often be on the low side. Make sure you are getting a fair and accurate quote by supplying your own damage assessment.