When a hurricane threatens, these tips can help you prepare

Hurricane season can be stressful for anyone near a storm’s potential path, as strong winds and heavy rain can cause widespread damage, cut power for days or weeks, and otherwise upend people’s lives.

Smart preparation ahead of time can reduce that stress and keep you safe. Emergency management officials say good practices include preparing for potential hazards around your home. This includes looking, considering how you can handle an evacuation, and putting together a kit of essential supplies.

How to Prepare a Home for a Storm

Anything in the backyard that isn’t tied down, such as furniture and barbecue grills, should be secured or brought inside so it doesn’t become a projectile that could come through a window, said Shawn Schloss, regional CEO of the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast region.

If possible, board up the windows and keep important documents like passports and birth certificates in a waterproof case or even a Ziploc bag. This will prevent damage and make it easier to locate documents in a quick evacuation.

Some preparation needs to be done well before a storm approaches. This includes trimming or removing overhanging or weak tree limbs and shrubs from homes to reduce potential damage from high winds, said Macy Hunt, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Insurance.

Hunt also urged people to review what kind of insurance coverage they have and take photos of their possessions in case they need to make an insurance claim after the storm.

Brian Mason, director of Houston’s Office of Emergency Management, advises homeowners to inspect their roofs before each hurricane season and know how to shut off their utilities in the event of damage.

Have an emergency kit

Every family should have an emergency kit with supplies to meet their basic needs.

For those who need a kit that should contain at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per day, that’s enough for seven days, Mason said. One way to have enough water is to fill the bathtub.

People should also have enough nonperishable food for seven days, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles, medicine, a portable power bank or other power source, and a radio that runs on batteries.

Pets should be included in preparations, including bringing them inside before the storm, and having enough food, water and essential medications for seven days, Mason said.

Mason said parents should include something to entertain their children, such as games or coloring books, because power outages after a hurricane mean no Internet and cellular service, and “there’s nothing more difficult for a family than kids bouncing off walls because they’re angry,” Mason said. “

“If you decide to stay, you have to make sure you can be self-sufficient for days to weeks, depending on how long it takes to restore power,” Mason said.

There is an evacuation plan

If people decide to leave before the storm hits, they should also prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to reach their destination, officials said.

Mason said that before a storm hits, people should know they have evacuation routes and backup routes in case the roads are overcrowded.

Officials recommend refueling vehicles if a storm is approaching. He said that people with electric vehicles should ensure that there are charging stations along their route.

Schloss said it’s natural for people to be afraid when a hurricane is approaching, but having a plan in place and letting your loved ones know you’re prepared will go a long way in easing the fear.

“Think about the worst that could happen and prepare for it and you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way,” Schloss said.

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