Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful natural disasters, and one storm could dramatically alter the landscape of the community. Florida especially has a long history of severe tropical storms making landfall. With hurricane season just around the corner, it is important to start thinking about preparations for you and your family. All Florida residents should have a plan in place to keep loved ones and property protected. These essentials could make all the difference:
Know your Hurricanes
The first thing you need to do is understand common terms of a hurricane forecast. You will want to pay attention to the size, intensity, and the angle of these large storms. For example, a tropical depression is a cyclone with winds up to 38 mph. Tropical Storms are worse and have wind speeds up to 73 mph. Then Hurricanes can have winds 74 mph or greater. Other terms to listen for include hurricane watch, hurricane-warning, rain bands, and storm surge. Any mention of these and you will want to prepare your home for a severe storm. If you do not have hurricane impact resistant windows and doors, you will need to install hurricane shutters for added protection.
Follow Directions
For an extreme wind advisory (sustained winds of 115 mph or greater) you will want to take shelter immediately in the inner part of a well-constructed building. Also after a storm warning, you must carefully follow directions from officials in the area and evacuate if they advise it. Know your zone. If you do live near the coast, learn all the evacuation routes.
Build a Hurricane Kit
As with any natural disaster, preparation is key. If you are forced to evacuate you should have a kit full of supplies you can take with you. It will also be useful if you must remain in your home. By preparing ahead of time, you will not get caught up in the rush to gather supplies and wide-spread panic. Some items in your kit might include:
- Non-perishable food
- Water for 3 days
- A first-aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Flashlights and batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Waterproof container for important documents
- Manual can opener
- Waterproof matches
- Pet and baby supplies where applicable
- A cooler and ice packs
- Have plenty of fuel
Be Sure your Home Meets Building Codes
One of the most important things you can do is make sure your home meets stringent building codes. This means installing hurricane impact resistant windows and doors in Sarasota, FL. They will help protect your home against severe wind and debris. And in the event of a hurricane, you should know how to secure your home. You should cover all windows with hurricane shutters, or plywood if that is what you have on hand. You should also reinforce your garage doors, bring all outdoor furniture and garbage cans inside, and trim your trees and shrubs so they are clear of your home and rain gutters.
Prepare with Armored Dade Windows and Shutters
If you want to make sure your home is hurricane ready before disaster strikes, contact us at 941-798-9010 or visit us at 8112 Cortez Rd. West, Bradenton, FL. 34210. We want to help protect our neighbors in Sarasota, FL and guarantee complete customer satisfaction.
