Disaster Preparedness: Hurricane Disaster Plan

Master Disaster Checklist

If you want to keep your property, family, pets, and business safe during natural disasters, it’s important to be prepared. This master checklist gives you a good foundation for what to do, what to have, and what to plan for.

• Secure Contact Information: Make sure you have a printed out copy as the power may be out and you might not have access to your computer or documents. Include names and telephone numbers, as well as out-of-town friends or family who might be able to help you. It’s important to have an out-of-town friend listed because your friends who live in your town might not be able to help you if a disaster affected them, too. Additionally, prearrange a nearby meet-up place after the emergency. It could be the local high school, a relative’s home, or a grocery store.
• Have a Plan: Make sure that all of your family knows about your disaster plan (escape routes, where the emergency kit is stored, who to contact, and what to do in case of a natural disaster).
  • Identify a Safe Room: Point out which room is the safest room in your home. This should be an interior room without windows, if possible (maybe a closet or a bathroom). This is the place your family should seek shelter when storm warnings are issued.
• Stay Informed: Make sure that you have a portable radio with fully charged batteries so that you can get the latest up-to-date information about the disaster. If you are in the path of the disaster, go to your pre-designated shelter area immediately.
• Take Photos/Video of Your Property: If you have an inventory of your valuables and possessions you are likely to be able to claim up to 20% more insurance than if you don’t. Taking photos and videos with your cell phone is an easy way to document your items. Be sure to upload all the images to secure cloud backup and not just store on your property.
• Charge Electronic Devices: During a disaster, you may lose power. Ensure your cell phone is fully charged, along with other electronic devices like tablets and laptop computers. Also, think about purchasing a solar-powered backup charging device.
• Get Cash: When the power goes out, ATM machines won’t work. Get plenty of one dollar bills because not many people will have change for twenty and hundred dollar bills. Try to aim for ones, fives, and tens.
• Fill Up on Gas: Fill your gas tank. When the power goes out, gas pumps won’t work.
• Disaster Supplies Kit: A disaster supplies kit is essential to keeping you and your family safe. It should include non-perishable food, water, medical supplies, clothes, pet food and supplies, medications, batteries, flashlights, etc. Consider the following list: 
  • Flashlight
  • Batteries
  • First Aid Kits: For $20, you can have medical supply basics — all in one place — and ready to use. Minor as well as major injuries are possible during an earthquake and it’s possible that emergency services will be overwhelmed, so having a first aid kit is essential.
  • Solar Cell Phone Charger: Solar powered charges start in the mid-$20 range and go up from there. The best selling Amazon solar charger is $60 and is fast with “industrial-strength PET polymer faced solar panels sewn into a rugged polyester canvas offer weather-resistant outdoor durability.” If the power goes out, you might have no other way to charge your phone.
  • Crank-Powered Radio: You can pay upwards of $100 for a decent crank radio, but you don’t have to spend that much. The best-selling Amazon crank radio is only $20!
  • Emergency Water Filter: There’s no need for an expensive filtration system. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter has 5,000 reviews and is only $20! The LifeStraw “removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EPA filter standards.”
  • Bottled Water (minimum of three gallons for each member of your family)
  • Battery-Powered Radio
  • Battery-Powered Lantern
  • Emergency Food Supply
  • Can Opener
  • Basic Tools (utility knife, pliers, wrench, tape, compass)
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution, toilet paper)
  • Pencils and Paper
  • Pet Supplies (food, litter)
  • Rain Gear
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Change of Clothes
  • Plastic Garbage Bags
  • Face Masks
  • Gloves
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Cleaning Wipes

• Have a “Go Bag”: Having an emergency bag packed with essentials (food, clothes, toiletries, cash, etc.) can save you time in a crisis. P.S. A little bit of toilet paper goes a long way…
• Gather Your Important Papers: Keep all special papers and photographs in a watertight container or plastic bag. You know, all of those important things like bank account papers, birth certificates, property deeds, medical cards, social security cards, etc. as well as photos and important keepsakes which can never be replaced. During a disaster, they could all be ruined and washed away forever in one whoosh!
  • Identification (copy of driver’s license or passport)
  • Insurance Policies
  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Proof of Residence (copy of lease, mortgage documents)
  • Deeds or Wills
  • Tax Returns
  • Social Security Cards
• Plan for Your Pets: Many hotels and motels won’t accommodate your pets, so if your plan is to evacuate to a hotel, then you’ll need to find them a safe boarding kennels or cattery which is outside of the disaster’s impact zone. Be sure you have plenty of your pet’s preferred food and whatever medications they might need.
• Refill Your Medications: Make sure that you have plenty of your prescription medicines on hand. If a disaster hits your area, the last thing you want to worry about is a medical emergency. 
• Disaster Insurance: Check your insurance coverage as part of your disaster preparedness plan. Many home insurance policies do not cover hazards like flooding caused by hurricanes, for example. If you live in a disaster-prone area, consider getting insurance to cover damages.
• Have a Plan for After the Disaster: After a disaster, get out of town until emergency services and law enforcement have gotten control of the situation. Unfortunately, like many other disaster situations, there are people who will try to take advantage of the chaos. It’s best to avoid being in the disaster zone until things are under control.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricanes are one of the greatest forms of natural disaster to strike America.

The United States coastline is hit by five hurricanes every three years on average, causing major problems for people, property and whole communities.

The one good thing about hurricanes is that there is usually plenty of warning that a hurricane is on its way which means that you have time to prepare. You need a hurricane disaster plan so that you can move into action quickly and help to protect your home and your family.

The first and very important part of your hurricane disaster plan is to have a disaster supplies kit on hand which is important for all types of disaster preparedness (not just hurricanes). You can purchase a hurricane survival kit here.

You need at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food (canned foods are good) plus plenty of bottled water at home, plus around 3 days worth ready in an evacuation kit for if you have to leave in a hurry.

Here are some items that can help keep your family safe during a hurricane:

 

Hurricane Disaster Plan – Protect Your Property

The two most dangerous parts of a hurricane are the torrential rain which can cause flooding and the high winds which can cause property damage, injuries by flying items, and more. Before the storm arrives, take care of the following:

• Bring Items Inside: Outside furniture, trampolines, potted plants, hanging plants, toys, and bicycles can all become deadly projectiles in hurricane-force winds. Bring everything you can inside and tie down anything you can’t.
• Trim Your Trees: Hurricanes can break off weak tree limbs and hurl them around at great speed, causing injuries and property damage. Keep all trees and shrubbery well trimmed, especially those closest to your house.
• Take Necessary Precautions: If you’re in an area that is likely to be hit hard, make sure you install hurricane shutters and batten down the hatches. You don’t want a window to break and for flood waters or flying glass to be strewn all over your home.
• Strengthen the Garage: Strengthen your garage door, this is often the weakest point of your house and if the hurricane gets in there it good lift off your roof and destroy the rest of your house.

 

Keep Yourself Informed

Unlike some other natural disasters, there is often several days of warning before a hurricane hits so make sure that you are kept up to date with all of the latest information. Watch your local news and listen to the weather on the radio. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service can provide you with immediate updates on the storm.

If you are advised to evacuate your property then follow your evacuation plans and leave immediately.

If you are advised to stay, try to follow these tips:

• Take refuge in the safest area of your home — on the first floor if possible.
• Keep away from windows, glass doors and skylights, even if they have hurricane covers.
• Make sure that there are as many walls as possible between your family and the hurricane.
• Stay low under a sturdy table or other structure that will prevent you from falling objects.