Given that the North Atlantic hurricane season started earlier this month, it’s no wonder sales of emergency supplies have sharpened, from generators to Berkey® water systems*, and first-aid supplies to fuel storage containers.
Among the four natural weather hazards that Americans should prepare for this summer, the National Weather Service emphasizes hurricanes as a major concern for the following North Atlantic coastal states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine.
For those living within 100-200 miles inland from the coasts of those states, the threat of a hurricane changes to that of a tropical storm or depression, where torrential rains cause flash floods. For those affected by such hazards, it is critical to have sufficient emergency preps in place along with clear plans and to communicate those plans to trusted contacts.
Our friends at SaveOnEnergy.com reached out to us to share some valuable information on hurricane preparation.
From their Hurricane Preparedness Guide, these six steps provide an excellent starting point:
1. Create an emergency kit. This includes any essential supplies you’ll need to survive for a few days. And don’t forget to include a list of emergency contact phone numbers too!
2. Install hurricane-proof windows and shutters. This is a larger upgrade that could pay off big time when it protects the inside of your home from storm wreckage.
3. Buy surge protectors. Plug small electronics into these so it’s easy to switch everything off at once.
4. Set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest temperature. This way, food will stay fresh for as long as possible if the power goes out.
5. Designate a safe room. Pick an interior room without windows and make sure everyone knows where it is.
6. Know your building. Talk to your landlord about the power-outage protocol for apartments or condos with elevators or a key card door entry systems. If you have a garage, make sure you know how to open it manually.
Additional resources to help you in your preparations for tropical hazards:
- Current Forecast of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones & Disturbances
- Hurricane Safety Explained
- Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Centers
