Hurricane Preparedness in 2020

Hurricane Preparedness in 2020: What to do to Prepare for a Hurricane

Those of us who live in low-lying areas already have a general idea of how to prepare for hurricane season, but 2020 looks a little bit different than it ever did before. But you need to know how to weather the storm, so to speak, no matter what’s going on in the world. We can help.

Hurricane Preparation Checklist

Always pay close attention to the guidelines provided by local officials as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as hurricane season unfolds. FEMA’s Ready.gov website can be extremely helpful when figuring out how to navigate hurricane season. Here are some of the most important things to do in the off-season.

Create a home emergency kit (more information below) months ahead of time
Create a go bag (more information below) months ahead of time
Know the evacuation routes in your area
Design an evacuation plan for you and your pets
Let your loved ones know your plan well in advance
Look into acquiring flood insurance if you don’t already have it
Install or replace storm shutters on your home
Clean and inspect your gutters, extend downspouts if needed
Secure and cover outdoor décor, grills and patio furniture
Keep your gas tank full if there is a severe storm in the forecast
Secure and lock garage doors and windows
Invest in a backup power solution

Items to Prepare for Hurricane Season

In the event of a hurricane or severe tropical storm, you will have to respond in one of two ways: either hunker down at home, potentially with no electricity, or evacuate. Always follow all evacuation orders and guidelines provided by your state and local government. If there is no mandatory evacuation, you may opt to stay home. Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand either way.

Invest in Backup Power – High winds, lightning and excessive rainfall and cause on-grid power outages. Standard generators can help in a pinch, but they tend to be bulky and expensive to operate. Instead, consider investing in a power inverter that provides the same or better power potential without the noise or hassle. Another reliable option is a small solar panel kit that offers emergency power that’s easy to transport. Neither of these options rely on vulnerable power lines and don’t require bulky, expensive propane tanks to operate.
Stock Your Emergency Kit – You need to create or restock two types of emergency kits when preparing for hurricane season – an at-home emergency kit and a go bag. In your home kit, you want to include:

One gallon of drinking water per person per day
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
First-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Cloth masks
Dust mask
Flashlight, preferably solar-powered
Extra batteries
NOAA weather radio
Candles
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Backup power station
Extra pet supplies, including food, medication and leash

Build Your Go Bag – In the event of a severe storm, your governor may mandate an evacuation. Prepare for this scenario by packing an emergency go bag for each of your family members. What is a go bag? This small but potentially life-saving kit containing 72 hours of emergency supplies that you can grab on your way out the door in the event of an emergency. We recommend using a backpack or durable duffel bag and storing it somewhere close to the door.

One gallon of drinking water per person per day
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Emergency blanket
Rain poncho
Prescription medications
Eyeglasses
Portable solar kit, such as one of these
Cell phone and chargers
Solar-powered phone charger
Manual can opener
Disposable plates and silverware
Portable first-aid kit
Over-the-counter medications
Hand sanitizer
Cloth masks
Dust mask
Flashlight, preferably solar-powered
Extra batteries
Small toolkit with wrench or pliers
Local maps (we recommend downloading them via Google Maps so you have offline access)
NOAA weather radio
Emergency whistle
Important documents, including ID, birth certificate and copy of insurance policies
Phone numbers of medical professionals and emergency contacts
Extra pet supplies, including food, medication and leash
Personal items, including toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

COVID-19 Considerations

How do you prepare for a hurricane in the midst of a pandemic? There are a few things that might concern you about evacuating in this scenario. For one, emergency shelters tend to house large groups of people in close proximity, which could significantly increase your likelihood of getting or spreading the virus. On top of that, running water is often limited when a hurricane strikes. For these reasons, we recommend keeping cloth masks and hand sanitizer in your go bag.

Staying Safe When the Storm Hits

Whether you plan to stay put or head to higher ground, you’ll find that a little bit of preparation can go a long way when it comes to staying safe during a hurricane. The most important thing you need to do during hurricane season is to prepare ahead of time. This will help you remain calm and collected until you get to a safe place to ride out the storm.