What To Do To Your Home Before Evacuating Ahead Of A Storm

If you live in a place that is inclined to be affected by storms, hurricanes or flooding, you may encounter a situation where evacuation is necessary. If you live in such an area it is important to know how you can set up your home for any approaching severe weather conditions. 

Spending a few minutes reading this article can help save you time and money when disaster strikes. 

Document Your Belongings 

It is important to take stock of what is in your home. Use your smartphone to take videos and photographs of your property and goods. Ensure you capture more than just electronic devices such as your television, like your furniture, clothes, cooking utensils and more. etc. Doing so will help keep track of your inventory in case of theft or destruction. First, walk through every room and take photos from each corner. After that, work your way through storage cases, bookshelves and the like. Insurance companies have strict policies when it comes to coverage for disaster-prone areas so make sure you document all of your belongings

Rearranging 

Make sure your yard is cleared. Store grills, patio furniture, lawnmowers, plants & bikes inside. Remove all the loose debris away from your house since hurricanes have the ability to cause otherwise harmless objects to become a projectile. Ensure that storm drains are clear from blockage so that water build-up does not cause your house to flood.

Brace Opening

Ensure sandbags are stacked on the exterior of all doors, especially the garage door. Doing this can help the house from depressurizing. Doors and windows often blow off during high winds. Even a small hole in your home can cause depressurization during a storm. Use plywood to cover door frames and windows since they are inexpensive and readily available. Buy plywood that is at least a half-inch thick to provide protection from impact. Avoid using tape since it does not help in protecting your home and is a bigger chore when you get back home after an evacuation 

Elevate Corrosive Objects 

Make sure you unplug all of your appliances and electronics and place them on higher ground. Move televisions, vacuum cleaners, generators, speaker, etc several feet off the ground to a countertop or a table. If you have a second floor in your house you could keep it there. If you have floor rugs, roll them up and stack them vertically so that they do not become floor sponges.

Turn Off The Water And Power Lines

On securing your entire house, shut off your main electricity and water valve. Simply turn the main circuit switch to “off” on your circuit breaker panel. To turn off the main water valve use a wrench to turn the valve clockwise to cut the water supply.

We hope you find these tips useful in times of severe storms. Stay safe and protected.