BBB Urges Preparation For Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season The month of June marks the beginning of hurricane season. In living on the Gulf Coast your family should be prepared in the case a hurricane should strike.

by Better Business Bureau

Published: Wed, May 27, 2009 - 12:39 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, May 27, 2009 - 12:44 pm CST

Pensacola, Fla. (May 27, 2009) – The month of June marks the beginning of hurricane season. In living on the Gulf Coast, your family should be prepared in the case a hurricane should strike.

“Having a plan for hurricane season is a must this time of year,” said Norman Wright, president and CEO of your BBB serving northwest Florida. “You always want to be prepared. The last thing you want to do is wait until the last minute to make a plan for your family.”

To help prepare your family before an actual storm threatens the area, your BBB offers advice:

Make a checklist of supplies. You always want to have essential supplies on hand in case you are unable to leave your home or are without power for a few days such as flashlights, batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid kit, water, etc.

Plan an evacuation route. Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters. Learn safe routes inland. Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.

Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.

Protect your windows. Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood—marine plywood is best—cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.

Clear debris. Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.

Consider flood insurance. Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners’ policies do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.

For additional information on hurricane preparedness and advice you can trust, start with bbb.org.

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