Protecting Your Home During Hurricane Season

As residents of the North East, you are most likely aware of how unpredictable hurricane season can be.  Thunderstorms, and strong gusts of wind that could reach up to 100 miles per hour could not only cripple major roadways in your town or city, but they could also do catastrophic damage to your home or business.  With that said, you can never be too careful when preparing for a hurricane in your area.  Here are some safety precautions you and your family could benefit from to prepare for a hurricane.

Know Your Surroundings

Be aware of any trees or nearby power lines on your street or in your driveway.  Fallen trees and flying debris from excessive winds are what end up becoming the most destructive force during a hurricane.  Your home should be looked at as a safe haven while the storm passes.  Thus it is important to make sure that your home is not in range of any large and unsteady trees that could collapse on your property.  To prevent this from happening, make sure all of your trees and bushes are properly trimmed to make them more wind resistant.

Learn the Elevation Level of Your Property

This is important to recognize so you can get an idea if your home is susceptible to water damage caused by flooding.  If your home has low elevation that is close to sea level, be sure to identify your community’s hurricane evacuation routes.  It is also important to figure out where you should go in the event of an evacuation as well as the safest route to travel. 

Reinforcing Your Home

Make sure you have secured the inside and outside of your home before a hurricane is predicted to strike.  Some ways of doing this include covering your windows with storm shutters, installing straps or hurricane clips to fasten your roof structure, and clearing all of clogged rain gutters around your home.  It is also important to reinforce your garage doors from heavy winds.  This could cause serious and expensive structural damage to your home or your vehicle.

I would advise all families to install a generator so they can have working water, and electricity if we find ourselves without power for an extended period of time.  Finally, put together a first aid kit as well as an in depth plan to follow if a major storm were to strike. 

We certainly hope your home or property will not require our services, but if your home should be damaged by water, wind, fire or smoke, call Tri-State Restoration’s emergency hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-679-5327.