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Hi everyone,
After seeing all of the hurricane evac info on here, it got me to thinkin'. We are buying new construction inventory. We have no experience with hurricane weather whatsoever. Are there any steps that we need to take or precautions that need to be done to get our new home ready for the storm season?? I only have experience shoveling lots of snow!
People all prepare differently, but there are some general guidelines.
Make sure that you have plenty of non perishable food. I think the rule if thumb is 2 gallons of water per person per day. They tell you to have enough for 48 hours, but I always had a weeks worth. Every week when I did my grocery shopping I would pick up some hurricane stash. That way I was not out right before a storm.
If anyone takes prescription meds you will need to have an adequate supply. I know that the insurance company does not care to let you stock up, but something to be aware of. Also have some first aid supplies.
Have some cash. If the power is out the ATM won't work.
Have a portable radio & plenty of batteries, flashlight, candles.
I always kept a few cans of Sterno for heating up some food. A charcoal grill with a few bags of charcoal works too.
If you have a generator, make sure that your gas cans are full.
Make sure that you know how to put up your hurricane shutters.
If a storm is headed for you bring in EVERYTHING in your yard. Even small things can become high speed projectiles.
I never had to use my hurricane stash, but I always felt better knowing it was there if I needed it.
Hi everyone,
After seeing all of the hurricane evac info on here, it got me to thinkin'. We are buying new construction inventory. We have no experience with hurricane weather whatsoever. Are there any steps that we need to take or precautions that need to be done to get our new home ready for the storm season?? I only have experience shoveling lots of snow!
If you can afford them, hurricane shutters for your windows would be a good investment.
With new construction, you will be fine. Your home will come with builder supplied hurricane shutters. Evey has some good pointers. We were here for Wilma. We stayed in our home through the hurricane and once we saw that there was no damage we left until the power was back on. We found this easier than stocking up and 'camping' inside.
Secure everything in the yard, I toss the lanai furniture into the pool. FIll up the propane tanks and tie the BBQ to something solid, you may not have a kitchen the next day. CASH, GAS, WATER, FOOD...do not store gasoline indoors. I have 4 huge blue tarps, 2 buckets of roofing nails, 1X2X8 wood strips to hold the tarps down, 220' of 1/4 " yellow line, you'll need that to hold the tarps down while nailing.
I load the truck with water and food, CB radio, and a hand held marine VHF radio, battery powered screw gun and saw, batteries fully charged, chainsaw with premixed fuel, raincoats and basic clothing,CASH, VIP documents, a cooler full of ice,flashlights. With this done if the storm is really bad we head to the local Elks lodge, it is a designated hurricane shelter.
Steel storm shutters are great and are not difficult to install yourself. Forget about trying to buy plywood the day before the storm, most places are sold out or will only give you a few sheets. ANticipate on surviving on your own for about two days before the Nat'l Guard or others come to help. Have a battle plan, know your way out and prepare before it hits the fan.
Been there, done that, got the T shirt....lost my house to Hurricane Charley in 2004
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Thanks so much for all of the information. I can't believe I am moving to a place that I have to be that much prepared for disaster. Why am I moving there again? Oh yea, job transfer!!
My husband laughs at me, but when we went house hunting, I always commented on a big closet that could be used as a safe room. Thats a good point to stock up on stuff everytime you go food shopping. I know what a small snow storm does to the supermarkets here on LI, I don't even want to think about trying to get supplies when a hurricane is on it's way.
I think what scrares me most is the fact that my husband travels for work and is away for days at a time. I am petrified (sp) to think that a hurricane could be predicted and my husband not be able to get home to help me prepare and deal with my 3 kids.
Do all new construction homes come with storm shutters? I didn't know that. I just thought that you had to get them yourself. I guess they would come pre-fit???
Thanks so much for all the info. I think I am going to print out the replies and keep them safe.
Hurricanes do happen - be prepared instead of surprised - plan ahead.
Basic items/categories you should stock for an emergency include:
1. Water
2. Food
3. First Aid Supplies
4. Clothing/Bedding
5. Tools & Emergency supplies
6. Special Items
Now is the time to go over your hurricane preparedness. If you have not made any emergency plans, you should do them now. Planning ahead will save you unnecessary stress from not knowing what to do or not having the supplies you will need to get you through the hurricane watch, warning, storm, and aftermath. Print and post this list on the refrigerator or somewhere it will be easily seen.
Plan Well Before Hurricane Season
Create An Emergency Plan
Discuss with family members what could happen
Discuss where to meet
Discuss what to do if an evacuation is needed
Discuss shelters/rules
Discuss what to do with family pets
Discuss how to protect elderly
Review the above Emergency Plan with your family every 3 to 6 months
Review Dates
1. __/__/__
2. __/__/__
Stored Supplies
Replace stored water every three months
1. __/__/__
2. __/__/__
Replace stored food every six months
1. __/__/__
2. __/__/__
Replace stored batteries
Test fire extinguishers according to instructions
Store your supplies in a convenient, dry place.
Review your supply needs yearly.
Keep items in air tight plastic bags.
Replace clothing articles for growing children.
Supplies to Have on Hand
A large, clean garbage can in which you can store your supplies until needed. This can also be used to store clean water for use during the storm.
CASH if the electricity goes out no automatic tellers will work.
Credit cards.
Identification/Valuable papers/documents
Drinking water for 5-10 days (1 gallon/person/day). Do not use milk containers that will break or decompose; use plastic soda bottles.
Canned/packaged food (1-2 weeks).
Canned meats, canned fish, canned fruits & vegetables, canned juices, dried fruit, bread, crackers, peanut butter, jelly and bottled water. Try to purchase in one meal packages, once opened they will spoil quickly.
Thanks so much for all of the information. I can't believe I am moving to a place that I have to be that much prepared for disaster. Why am I moving there again? Oh yea, job transfer!!
Well the good thing is that the hurricanes are watched a good week or even 2 weeks ahead of time and when there is one out there, believe me, it's all over the news for days because of the track it may or may not take. Also you will find supply lists everywhere you go. Newspapers, grocery stores, home supply stores. FL is very good at getting people prepared and making sure everyone knows what they need to do particularly for the new comers. A week in advance is the time to stock up on food, medicine, money and whatever else you don't already have supplied cause those last few days before the storm hits is terrible in the stores. Oh and make sure to get ice. We were out of power for 6 days in the middle of August and could not find any ice anywhere. Oh we were just dying for a cold drink of water. And don't count on going to a restaurant to eat. Our 2 McDonald's in town ran out of food as well as some other restaurants and the ones that had food.... forget it. 2 hour wait for a table. Sounds scary but really just be prepared well in advance and beat the last minute rush. You'll be alright.
All new construction homes in FL come with hurricane shutters. On the outside of the windows you will see the studs, and the shutters will most likely be in the garage. They look like corrugated metal. My husband used to install shutters on new homes, the builder can not get a CO without them.
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Oh yea, job transfer!!
