First, here’s some bad but seasonally expected news: Hurricane season in the Atlantic began June 1st and doesn’t end until November 30th.
No
w here’s the even worse news:
Tampa Bay, Savannah, New York City, San Diego and Honolulu are overdue for hurricanes.
How so? Well, a study of how long it’s been since a significant hurricane was recently completed. And those five cities were tops on the list.
Even if your city isn’t due for a hurricane or has been lucky to not been touched by recent tornadoes or other natural disasters, it’s important to take time to make sure you and your family is ready.
I like to check out the Great Hurricane Blowout each year to remind myself of their emergency checklist. While they developed the list for hurricane season, the list can help you prep for anytime nature decides to wreak havoc in your town.
Few things they suggest:
· Collect copies of important papers like the deed to your home, insurance paperwork, financial information, etc.
· Review your property insurance coverage and keep updated photos and/or a video inventory of your personal belongings.
· Collect important phone numbers like the number your insurance company, doctor, veterinarian and family contacts and store them in your cell phone.
· Identify your evacuation routes. Have an alternate route planned in case the first option is not navigable.
· Identify the safest place in your home to ride out a storm and make sure everyone knows where to go.
· I
n case your family is not together when a hurricane hits, make sure you have a pre-identified meeting place in addition to your home, and make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your meeting spot.
For more information visit http://www.greathurricaneblowout.org/
