Hurricane Preparation From A Property Damage Expert

Below you will find tips and tricks from Nick Schupbach, owner of PuroClean of Melbourne, on how to protect your home before, during and after a hurricane. 

Water damage to your property can still occur, even if you have followed proper tips on preparing for hurricanes. For water removal services and mold cleaning services, contact PuroClean immediately. 

Before the storm:

• Learn your area’s flooding risk and community hurricane evacuation routes. Know the geographical location you live in.
• If you don’t have flood insurance, get a policy now. Regular homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.
• Reinforce your garage. To make it withstand powerful winds, secure your garage door with a brace kit rated for storm and hurricane winds. Other ways to strengthen your garage door are installing a metal post system or covering the door with metal panels, fabric screen, or 5/8-inch plywood.
• Secure your windows. High winds can shatter your windows, leaving your home vulnerable. The best way to secure your windows is to install permanent hurricane shutters made of steel, aluminum and other materials. Installing plywood is also a good defense for your windows.

During the storm:

• Pile up sandbags at least two feet high as an efficient barricade against floodwaters. If you don’t have sandbags, place heavy-duty garbage bags, filled one-third of the way with water, around your house doors.
• While indoors, stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safer spot to stay in, such as an interior room or a lower-level bathroom. 
• If your home is at risk of flooding, turn off the electricity at the main circuit breaker. Don’t turn on electricity until local officials have advised you to do so. 

After the storm:

• Take photos of any property damage and contact your insurance company for assistance. Wear protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, rubber boots and masks, when inspecting your home.
• Stay indoors until the local officials have announced the storm is over. Listen to the radio or turn on the TV (if safe to do so) to get the latest updates.

Supplies for a Hurricane

You can still order supplies and have them shipped to you the next day. 

Make sure you have a weather radio powered by a hand crank or a solar panel. We found one here that comes with a couple of lights, radio, and an outlet to keep your mobile phones and other devices charged. You might want to invest in a generator to keep your refrigerator, TV, and other necessities alive when you lose power. We found a good generator that is less expensive and should get you through a storm. You may need hurricane window board-up clips for plywood, which can save time.

But you can also shop around for the best generator, depending on how much power you need. 

You will need to gas up your vehicle before a storm. The other supplies you’ll need are water, canned food, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered fan since you’ll lose air conditioning. 

These are just some of the things you can do to prepare for hurricane season in Florida. The season ends on November 30, 2022.