Preparing for a Hurricane

The winds are changing….

  I’ve been a floridian all my life. I know the feelings you get when that storm prediction cone is headed straight for you. I keep watching online updates and it seems like every couples of hours the hurricane veers or changes course. But either way it seems to veer, my beloved little town of Miami Beach is going to get hit with something. Hurricane Irma is definitely headed towards Florida. The sound of a hurricane strikes fear. But let’s not be afraid. I will help you. It looks like Hurricane Irma is a category 5 – and nothing to laugh at. So let’s prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I will help you make a Make a Hurricane Kit and give you some tips on how to “top off essentials”.

First off, you should be topping off your essentials in the days leading up to the storm.
Essentials:
1. Your phone. Keep your phone fully charged, plug it in overnight and any chance you get. when the storm hits you want a full battery in case the power goes out. This goes for all your electronics. (computer, iPads, etc.)
2. Your Fridge & Freezer. Do not buy too many perishable items in the days leading up to the storm. The day of the hurricane, turn down the temperature in the fridge/freezer. In case the power does go out, your food will last a but longer.
3. Your car. You may need to evacuate, leave home for supplies, or drive for an emergency. Keep your cars gas tank completely filled. Fill up your gas tank, and top off every day leading up to the storm.
4. You’ll need cash. After a big storm, credit card systems often go out. You will need cash to buy whatever you need. Go to an ATM and put some emergency cash in your wallet.
5. Check your home insurance coverage and make copies of your important documents (birth certificates, passports, degrees, shot records, etc.) Put them in ziplock or waterproof cases.
6. BUY SUPPLIES. The following print out will give you an idea of how to buy for a hurricane. This is my family list and what we prepare in our kit. We put all of this into a big plastic bin.

Now, let’s head to the store and create a Hurricane Kit that will keep your family surviving for a few days. You don’t have to wonder and wander around the stores. Click here to print this out and go with purpose!

Extra Tips:
-Bring in all your outdoor furniture, decorations, toys – anything that isn’t tied or bolted down should come inside.
-Trim your trees & bushes
-Clean out rain gutters and clear the openings of your streets storm drains.
-Cover windows and glass doors with shutters or wooden planks.

This is a cool resource: The CDC wrote an article about staying safe during disaster power outages. Click Here.

This is worst case scenario. Best case scenario at this point is that hurricane Irma stays way off our coast – we get a little wind and rain – they close schools and most offices – and we all get more time inside with our family.

Wouldn’t that be nice?
Stay safe everyone!

xo