The Good News About Hurricane Preparedness
At this point in 2020 everyone is ready for good news, so do we really need to bring up hurricanes right now? It’s a fact that hurricane season is upon us, but as long as we stay informed and make sure we’re prepared, this doesn’t necessarily have to mean bad news.
The Weather Company’s 2020 Atlantic Hurricane forecast predicts this season to be more active than usual with 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). For comparison, an average season has 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
The official Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov 30, so now’s the time to make sure you’re prepared.
Due to the fact that many of us are still sheltering in place, it’s more important than ever to make sure the power in our home stays on. Our homes mean safety and protection, and owning a reliable generator will make sure you and your family have peace of mind when a storm hits.
Here’s a handy to-do list to make sure you’re prepared for whatever hurricane season brings.
Evacuation Plan: Know the recommended evacuation route, and keep your gas tank full.
Supplies: Keep bottled water and other supplies on hand.
Hurricane Kit: Include a first-aid kit, medications, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, batteries, whistle and local maps.
Copy Important Documents: Back up your computer, and keep copies of important documents in a safety deposit box.
Prepare Your Home: Secure or store outdoor items, and make sure your roof, shingles, and gutters are in good shape to withstand strong winds. Check your trees and landscaping, and make sure you know how to board up your home if necessary.
Back Up Your Power: If you don’t have a plan for backing up the power in your home, determine what type of generator you need in case of a power outage.
There are two main types of generators for hurricanes: portable and home standby.
A portable generator is a convenient solution if you only want to back up a few essentials. Portable generators come in different sizes, they run on either gasoline or propane, and they don’t need to be installed.
If you’d like to power more than just the essentials, or even your whole home, you may want to have a standby generator installed. Standbys never need refueling since they are connected to your propane or natural gas system. Your home standby generator starts automatically when the power goes out and returns to standby when power is restored, ensuring security and convenience for your family during a hurricane power outage.
Things that used to be no big deal take a lot more time and effort due to the current strain on our country’s resources and the restrictions many of us are under. Now is not the time to wait until the last minute. The security and safety of your family is more important than anything. When a hurricane causes a power outage, you won’t regret your decision to have a safe source of power.
While the weather is still calm, make the preparations you need so when a hurricane occurs, the good news will be that you and your family are ready.