googletag.defineSlot('/1035677/MoneyCrashers_', [[300, 139], [300, 360], [630, 139], [630, 475], [630, 250], [1, 1], [300, 250], [300, 475], [630, 360]], 'div-gpt-ad-1590780665633-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); Having “before” and “after” pictures can significantly speed up an insurance claim and make it easier to receive FEMA assistance.

We ran the generator every day for an hour, long enough to pump water for the horses, to chill the refrigerator again, and take cold showers. Here I've included my own tips and timeline that has kept my family organized and stress-free for many years.

Another option is to find alternate routes away from coasts and rivers using the Waze app. Check, double check, and triple check everything.

It’s important to be proactive and have a plan and supplies in place long before a hurricane arrives. Most of your hurricane preparedness should take place when there is no threat of a hurricane. If you take a careful look at the details, you might uncover a few unpleasant surprises. You can see if your state is one of them here. You can also purchase used camping equipment at OutdoorsGeek and GearTrade. It’s also smart to keep a local map in your car. And preparing for a hurricane well in advance will also save you money, because you can purchase many items when on sale rather than when those items are in high demand. In fact, if you give yourself time to prepare adequately, it will be much more stress-free. If you have pets, who would return home to get them? In all four, we lost power from two days to a week. Make arrangements for lodging if you plan to evacuate. Have you ever read your homeowners insurance policy?

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. With strong enough winds, if either failed, the winds could compromise the roof so while I felt fairly confident in the home's strength, my son and I still discussed a plan in case of the worst possible scenario. However, you should have duplicates in a bag that’s always packed and ready to go.

The most important thing you can do to prepare for a hurricane is to establish a hurricane emergency plan for your family. You probably know someone... HGTV is teeming with shows about people who fix up old, damaged houses for a living. You still need a hurricane emergency plan. Take this time to rest, try to relax, help your neighbors finish their preparations. Yes, please. Talk to the people you plan to stay with about how you can all best protect yourselves from COVID-19. Reviews: 3,157 Rating: 4.5 stars No power means no electricity which means you'll definitely need a pack of reliable batteries.Our experts prefer these Panasonic rechargeable ones—especially for an emergency preparedness kit—because they can hold 85 percent of their charge for up to a year at a time and they come fully pre-charged and ready to use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. I also keep several LifeStraws at home and in my truck. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors.

Next, create a long-term food storage pantry. Donate the non-perishables to a food pantry or local shelter in November and December. She lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband and two young sons, where they're often wandering on frequent picnics to find feathers and wildflowers.
That generator saved our sanity and wallets!

MoneyCrashers.com does not include all banks, credit card companies or all available credit card offers, although best efforts are made to include a comprehensive list of offers regardless of compensation. Purchase or start making ice. However, FEMA recommends that every family have a Go Bag. Some insurance companies don’t cover indirect flood-related damage at all. If you will be staying with friends or family outside your household to evacuate from the storm: In addition to following guidance for staying safe and healthy after a hurricane, note that: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though you may need some flexibility—for example, if you plan to go to a hotel out of state—having at least a basic plan in place helps so that you aren't caught with no plan. You set this plan in motion if you need to or choose to evacuate. Here are some supplies you should consider putting in your Go Bag: As you can see, many of the supplies on this list are also listed for your home’s 72-hour emergency supply kit. Research some alternate routes away from the coast, and drive these routes at least once so you’re familiar with them.
It’s also important to have a way to purify water in the event of a long-term emergency. Purchase perishables, such as meat and milk, and freeze them.

Better batteries? If you're going to evacuate, do so now, especially in long states like Florida or if you have a long way to drive to get out of harm's way. Withdraw cash.

I have Midland 50-Channel Walkie-Talkies with a 36-mile range, and they work great.

Your Go Bag is what you would grab if you suddenly found yourself in an emergency and had to evacuate with little warning. Bring potted plants in if they have the potential to fly away. During an evacuation, you depend on your car to get you to safety. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Even if you’re not in a classified flood plain, you still might want to consider flood insurance. Last minute preparations are underway. Preparation is always key - checking every box on the hurricane preparedness list and making sure we have everything on the hurricane supplies list. Keep in mind that this is distinctly different from your home’s 72-hour emergency supplies. We had no electricity for 6 weeks, and no water either as we used a well for water and that ran on electricity. Preparing For a Hurricane: Before, During, and After the Storm How to Prepare Your Home to Weather the Storm and Keep Your Family Safe Preparing for hurricane season in advance and knowing what to expect when one hits is one of the smartest things you can do, whether you need to remain in your home or create and follow a hurricane evacuation plan. Create a plan now so you have plenty of time to go over it with your family before an emergency occurs. Lay down heavy objects like birdbaths and feeders. If you're staying, now is the time to really start putting your plans into play. We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. This app uses real-time traffic information from other drivers to help you find routes around traffic backups and road closures. Frozen water bottles will help your freezer run more efficiently and will also help it stay colder for longer if the power goes out. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they appear on category pages. The benefit of having a well-stocked pantry is that you don’t have to worry about feeding your family during and after a disaster. And so much can change! Keep an eye out for sales and buy extra when you spot a good deal. Another useful item to have on hand, especially if you need to power smaller items for children or to keep cell phones charged, is a gas-powered generator. Expect to be in the car anywhere from a few hours to more than 30. According to the Center for Insurance Policy and Research, 19 states plus the District of Columbia currently have a “hurricane clause” or “named storm clause” in their policy.

Next, find alternate, safe places to stay during the storm. googletag.enableServices(); If an area is especially hard-hit, there might not be enough food to go around at first. Many families have a well-stocked freezer and assume they can rely on this when a storm comes; however, if the power goes out for an extended period, the food in your freezer will quickly become inedible. Speaking of paperwork, if you depend on monthly mailed checks for income, such as Social Security, switch these payments to direct deposit. No matter how good hurricane predictions may be, sometimes Mother Nature doesn't do exactly what the experts predict. After a major hurricane, mail service can be delayed by days or weeks, depending on the level of damage. You might have to drive farther than you anticipated to find a safe place to stay.

Put this video on a jump drive and keep it in a safe deposit box in another town. That will vary based on your family’s needs and the ages of your children.

When an area is affected by flooding or high winds, some items disappear fast. Personally, I've experienced several tropical storms and rarely worry about those. You’ll want to do this before you evacuate to prevent a possible explosion.