Preparing for a Hurricane

This photo was taken after Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you will know that Florida is once again facing the threat of a hurricane. I’ve been meaning to get this post out for a little bit and I kept putting it off. But I guess there’s no time like the present!
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As soon as I hear that there is the threat of a storm, we buy water. Worst case scenario, we bought it for nothing and we’ll use it later. The other thing I do is fill up my gas tank. That way once the lines get really bad I don’t have to go. Here’s a list of the things we do, starting with when we first find out there’s the possibility of a storm, leading to right up until the storm begins.

Before the Storm

• Gas up cars
• Stock up on water, or get yourself a water bottle that filters tap water. 
• If you have a generator, test it and make sure it’s working properly
• Get propane for your grill - that will make it easy for you to cook if you lose power! 
• Purchase/Make sure you have on hand: 
  • canned goods, shelf stable soups
  • shelf stable milk
  • Pouches for kids
  • Snacks - chips, cereal, peanut butter, jelly
  • paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels - doing dishes will be tough if water supply is compromised. 
  • Moist towelettes - for cleaning yourself if you don’t have access to running water
  • Manual can opener
  • Fill any prescription medications
  • Non-prescription meds - Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc. Make sure they aren’t expired. 
  • Formula, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Feminine supplies - or get yourself a menstrual cup so you don’t have to worry about this! 
  • Batteries
  • Toys, books, activities for kids
  • Flashlight/lanterns
  • First aid kit
  • AM/FM Radio (battery operated)
  • Matches
• Get cash! Immediately after the storm some places may open but may only take cash. 
• Consume as much of your perishables as possible - we made banana bread today to use up eggs, butter, and the overripe bananas.
• Secure your home
  • Shutters
  • Bring in patio furniture or tie it down
  • Pump some water out of your pool (but not too much)
  • Bring in garbage cans
• Back up electronics
• Unplug electronics (desktop computers, TVs)
• Charge devices, have backup chargers fully charged
• Fill freezer with Ziplocks filled with ice/water bottles to help keep it cold as long as possible in case of loss of power. Empty space will 
• Pets? Have a plan. Make sure you have food, water for them, peepee pads, and any medications they may need. 
• Know where will you evacuate to if given the order
• Have an emergency evacuation bag ready
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Complete change of clothing
  • Important documents (passports, birth certificates, etc) in a ziplock
• Fill the tubs with water

During the Storm

• Keep calm.
• Stay inside the house until the storm passes.
• Disconnect circuit breakers before electrical power is cut off. Leave a single switch enabled with a lamp connected to it to know when the current has been restored.
• Stay in the room that offers the most security even if you hear that the glass is breaking.
• If your home begins to be destroyed, cover yourself with a mattress. If your safe room is a bathroom with a bathtub, get inside the bathtub and cover yourself with a mattress.
• Use the telephone only in case of urgent calls. Do not do it if you hear it is thundering.
• If you are in a high-rise building, avoid upper floors, since the wind speed on higher floors is much higher. Go to a safe room.

After the Storm 

• Use flashlights only, not candles, to illuminate in case of emergency.
• Disconnect any electrical equipment you were using when the power was interrupted. 
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
• If your garage door is electric, be sure to know where the lever is to operate it manually.
• Be careful with standing water, downed trees, and power lines. 
  
  

To download a printable version of this checklist, click here!

Stay safe, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise