Being ready for a hurricane can help you and your family feel safer and more at ease, whether you are forced to leave or stay indoors, as well as avoid storm damage to your property. This hurricane season, take your time getting ready since hurricanes can strike without warning. Use the following hurricane preparedness advice to get ready in advance!

If a hurricane or severe weather has damaged your home, contact our storm claim attorneys with the Law Offices of Michael B. Brehne, P.A., to request a free consultation.

Protect Your Home & Belongings

Hurricanes and powerful storms can be extremely stressful and scary, with many thinking all may be lost! Thankfully, there are ways to protect your home from hurricane damage, including the following.

  • Board Your Windows. Attach a sheet of plywood slightly larger than your window outside your home. This will help prevent any heavy winds or debris from breaking the windows.
  • Secure Outdoor Items. Due to the high winds brought by hurricanes and severe storms, outdoor items can blow away! These can damage your home if left unsecured, making it important to tie down or move any outdoor items to a safe location.
  • Place Sandbags. If your home is susceptible to flooding, placing sandbags around your home's access points can help prevent water from entering. During hurricane season, many local governments will provide these sandbags!
  • Trim Tree Branches. One of the top causes of damage during a storm is fallen tree branches. Before hurricane season, check no trim branches are closer than 10 feet to your home or roof.Before hurricane season comes, it's important to have any tree branches within 10 feet of your home or roof.

Prepare The Proper Supplies

Hurricanes and severe weather can cause power outages, stores to close, roads to shut down, and more. In addition, before the storm, people will be frantic to buy their supplies, meaning stores will be crowded, and many essential supplies may sell out, making it important to gather the following supplies well in advance.

  • Water. Without power, your water supply may be impacted, making it important to purchase water bottles and jugs in case of an emergency.
  • Food. Hurricanes can last for several days, meaning you may be stuck in your home for several days, which is why we advise gathering enough food for 3 to 7 days.
  • Light. If your home has lost power, a source of light is important, such as battery-powered flashlights, oil lamps, and candles are all great sources of light for nights without power!
  • Gas. If you need to evacuate, it's important to have at least one full tank of gas to get you out of the hurricane's path.

Plan Ahead

Before an evacuation is necessary, it's crucial to have a strategy in place. Choose the best vehicle to use and the finest place to stay while being evacuated. Ask if you may remain with them until the storm passes if you have relatives or friends who live elsewhere or who are beyond the evacuation area.

During the storm, your home may fall victim to roof damage, exterior wall damage, or flooding. Before the storm hits, be aware of your home insurance coverage if you need to file a home insurance claim. Unfortunately, it is common for insurance companies to deny claims, so if issues arise, be sure to contact our experienced insurance claims lawyers to help you get the compensation you deserve.