June 1 marks the official start of the six-month Atlantic hurricane season. Whether or not you live in a hurricane-prone area, use this opportunity to plan and prepare for potential dangerous weather ahead.
Do you have enough insurance coverage to rebuild your home and replace your personal belongings in the event they are damaged or destroyed? Before the wind begins to blow, review your hurricane risk and insurance policy with your professional, local independent agent. Create or update a home inventory list by taking photos or videos of the contents in each room of your house.
Make and practice an evacuation plan. Know where the nearest shelter is and review the different routes you could take to get there safely. Follow instructions issued by local authorities and leave immediately if ordered to evacuate. Beware of road hazards such as washed out bridges, downed power lines and trees. Never drive in flooded areas.
Understanding the difference between National Weather Service hurricane watches and warnings is critical to being prepared and saving lives. Tune in to radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio and follow instructions issued by officials.
- Hurricane Watch: Conditions are possible in your area within 48 hours
- Hurricane Warning: Conditions are expected in your area within 36 hours
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Gather enough water, food, medication, batteries and supplies to build a 3-day disaster kit. Store your kit in an easily accessible location and make sure all family members know where it is kept in case you have to evacuate quickly.
Preparedness is the best protection against strong storms and dangerous hurricanes. For more information, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.