Disaster Preparedness Guide: Hurricane Checklist

Whatever the disaster, being prepared starts with you. Through the month of September, we’ll be posting preparedness guides so you and your family can be safe no matter the storm. First up is our hurricane preparation checklist. 

When a hurricane strike is imminent, will you and your family stay at home, or can you travel somewhere safer? You should have an emergency plan for both scenarios.

If you plan to stay put through a hurricane, you should:

  • Plan for everyone. You should have a recovery plan in case something should go wrong. Make sure everyone in your party understands the communication and logistics plan — like a secure meeting point or safe rooms in your home, and how you would get in contact with one another if someone was to get caught out in the storm. 
  • Have a checklist on hand and complete the tasks you can ahead of time. Though you don’t know exactly when disaster might strike, this is the point of being prepared. Try to think of everything you might need: supplies like lighting, first aid, food and drink, and a power source. Having these items on hand will help you and your family move to your safe place more efficiently when times get tough. 
  • Keep your community in mind. During times of disaster, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest emergency news. Create a contact list with phone numbers and addresses of those in your neighborhood, and keep a battery operated radio on hand as telephone lines might be out of commission. Make sure your contact list includes individuals with medical training. 
  • Listen to orders. If an evacuation has been ordered for your area, don’t wait until it’s too late to leave. Have your safety bag and kit ready to go, so if you’re told you need to leave, you’re prepared. Make sure your family has time to travel — allow 24 to 36 hours, and be sure you’re off the highway when a storm strikes. 


Even if you’d prefer to stay at home, you should plan to go if:

  • You live in a mobile or manufactured home
  • Your home does not meet the current hurricane building standards (was built pre-hurricane standards)
  • A storm surge or flooding might reach your home
  • Evacuation orders have been issued
 

If you find yourself in any of the above circumstances, follow these steps:

  • Arrange where you’ll stay in advance. Perhaps you’ll go to a relative’s home, a friend, or a designated Red Cross location. Make sure you communicate clearly with family and loved ones about where you will be going. 
  • Prepare your “leaving” to do list. This includes things like shutting off the electricity in your home, locking doors and windows, and bracing entry points. Make sure important paperwork, like health insurance information, is in an easy-access spot. Also make sure that you have all your medications refilled prior to any natural disasters. 
  • Don’t wait until the last second, or to see if you can “weather the storm.” Give yourself a good 24 to 36 hours of travel time before the storm is to hit your area. Roadways will not be empty during an evacuation period, and you don’t want to be stuck on the highway when the storm does hit.

 

At Absolute Generators, we can help you parpare for the inevitable power outages caused by hurricaines with backup power solution.  To learn about our top generators for hurricane prepardness, click here.

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