Dean and Felix have been some of the biggest tropical storms to hit this year, but there are surely more to come with hurricane season lasting from June until November. As the months pass, those living in the Caribbean, Mexico, and along the U.S. Gulf Coast brace themselves for storm surges, flooding, and damaging winds. Threats of Category 5 hurricanes have evacuated entire communities, causing tourists and native citizens to flee and government agencies promising aid to mobilize. No one wants a repeat of 2005’s catastrophic Hurricane Katrina which ravaged cities, took lives, and damaged the reputations of those in power. While you can’t control the intensity of the storm or your region’s response to flood damage, there are some vital precautions you can take to secure your home if a hurricane hits.

How to Protect the Outside of Your Home

The outside of your home is arguably the most susceptible to hurricane damage. Read the tips below to find out how you can protect your roof, windows, and the rest of your house.

1. Affordable Window Guards Window Films: Affordable Window Guards are featured on the website HurricaneTips.com, where you can find a plethora of information on preparing yourself for a hurricane or tropical storm. Window films can be used all year round, but they are especially valuable when used during hurricane season because they will keep strong winds from blowing broken glass all over your home if your windows sustain any damage.
2. Hurricane Shield: Another product from Affordable Window Guards, this shield is perfect for enclosing patios and porches. By keeping water out and protecting your outdoor furniture and doorway from flying debris, the Hurricane Shield acts as an extra insulator between the outside and your home.
3. Plywood: Plywood has long been used as a defense against hurricanes and tropical storms. According to HurricaneTips.com, “Sheets should be at least 5/8 inch thick and should overlap openings being covered by 4 to 6 inches.”
4. Remove debris from your roof or yard: CBS3.com, a news station in Philadelphia, recommends removing debris from the outside of your house. Loose tiles, large toys, and heavy branches can be picked up by heavy winds and thrown against your home, causing unnecessary damage.
5. Hurricane Shutters: HurricaneShutters.com sells all kinds of extra strong shutters for protecting your windows during a hurricane. Choose between Bahama and accordion shutters, storm panels, and more.
6. Roof Straps and Harnesses: This guide shows you how to secure your roof with the help of straps and harnesses.
7. Clear away the area near power lines: If possible, clear away the area underneath power lines, which could fall during a severe storm.
8. “Yikes! Shiners in the Attic!” by Bob Vila: This article by Bob Vila gives tips on how to gauge whether or not your roof is secure enough to withstand a hurricane. Check for shiners, or exposed nails, in your attic, and strengthen your roof if necessary.
9. Protect your Garage Door: The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi suggests reinforcing your garage door before a hurricane. Horizontal support bars can help it to withstand winds up to 120 mph.

How to Protect the Inside of Your Home

The inside of your home is also at risk from storm damage. Avoid fires and minimize water leakage by using the tips on this list.

10. Smoke Alarms: The U.S. Fire Administration strongly encourages homeowners to check smoke alarms before a hurricane. Put one on each floor of your home, and always have a stash of extra batteries.
11. Unplug electrical items: Unplug TVs, computers, and other powerful electrical items as the storm approaches to decrease the risk of electrical fires. Use a battery-operated radio to listen to news and weather updates.
12. Boil and store water: Storing water before a hurricane will allow you to drink, cook, and clean yourself in case the water is shut off after the storm hits. Boil water to sanitize it in case your city’s water supply was contaminated due to the hurricane.
13. Put down towels near doors and windows: This list of hurricane dos and don’ts found on Florida’s Broward County Web site suggests putting down towels at the bottom of doorframes leading to the outside and at the base of windows. The towels will absorb any excess water leaking into your home, protecting floors and walls from water damage.
14. Lift up valuables and electrical items off the floor: In case your home does flood, make sure your valuables and electrical items, like computers, have been lifted off the floor to avoid being damaged or swept away.
15. Clear away loose items around windows and doors: Minimize the amount of household items that could instantly be transformed into powerful weapons with the help of hurricane-strength winds.
16. Equip your home with supplies: After the storm, you may have to wait a few days before help arrives. Equip your home with a survival kit to keep you and your family going after the hurricane passes.

General Precautions and Resources

Here are a few more ideas for protecting your home, along with a solid list of links that will keep you in the know when the storm strikes.

17. Insurance: Making sure that your house is covered by adequate hurricane insurance is vital. Be sure to read between the lines: not all companies will cover flooding and other after effects of the actual storm.
18. Keep your files in order: Before the storm hits, organize your mortgage, deed, and title papers for your home and vehicles. If there is any damage, you may need to present them to insurance agents or other authorities.
19. Rent a safe-deposit box: USA Today recommends renting a safe-deposit box to keep birth certificates, marriage licenses, spare keys and other important documents in case they are lost in the storm or stolen by looters.
20. NASA’s Hurricane Web Page: Get some of the earliest information on new hurricanes by visiting NASA’s site.
21. Hurricane Recovery Resources - HUD: This division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will direct you to information on recovering from destructive hurricanes.
22. National Hurricane Center: The National Weather Services’ hurricane center is full of valuable links and resources for the most detailed weather forecasts.
23. IRS Help for Hurricane Relief: This link will direct you to the IRS page especially for hurricane victims. Learn about tax relief and more.
24. Red Cross: Read more hurricane preparedness ideas for protecting your home and family — before and after a hurricane.
25. National Weather Service: Track hurricane developments in your area with the help of the National Weather Service. You can also find information about their radio broadcasts by clicking here.

Hopefully you’ll never need to use these tips, but if you do find yourself facing a disasterous storm they can help provide guidance to make sure you and your home will be protected. Remember, it’s always best to stock up and prepare early, as stores will run out of high-demand items quickly.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 at 10:52 am and is filed under Hurricane Insurance, Natural Disaster. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.