Hurricanes can happen at any time throughout the year over the East and Gulf Coast of the United States. Hurricane preparedness is crucial when people know that a hurricane is heading their way. If people are given a mandatory evacuation, they know that it is going to be serious, and they will be better off leaving their homes to protect their lives and their families. Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example as to what can happen to people when they are stuck during a hurricane. Any number of floods can happen all over cities, as well as flying debris, and winds up to one hundred and forty five miles per hour. Roofs can be blown off of houses, and houses themselves can be torn from their foundations. For people who are in areas where hurricanes will not be as hard on them than other areas, can still prepare for the worst by stockpiling their homes with plenty of food and water, lots of batteries, flashlights, candles, matches, fuel, communication methods, battery operated radios, medical supplies, tools, smoke detectors, money, tarps, sand bags, and tape. If the power goes off during a hurricane the only cooking methods people may have are barbecue gas grills. Keeping fuel on hand will ensure that families will have a way to cook meals until the power has been restored.
People who are told to evacuate before a storm hits, should put their most important papers in safe kept water-proof containers that they can take with them when they evacuate. If they are left behind, they can be destroyed by rain, floods, or fires. Financial records, insurance policies, personal identification information, medical records, and a list of all household items will need to be taken for insurance purposes. Important items like pictures and family albums should also be grabbed if a person has time. Other important things to bring when evacuation are items to sleep in, such as sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and clothes. If a person has pets, the pets should be brought along with a carrying cage and leashes. Evacuating long before a hurricane hits will give families enough time to grab all of their pertinent valuables to take with them. Leaving at the last minute will cause many important items to be left behind, plus people could be stuck in traffic for many hours. Taking food and drinks along on the ride will be a good way to ensure that they do not go hungry.
Preparing a home for a hurricane
Protecting Yards- Anything valuable in a yard, such as grills, lawn chairs, toy bikes, garbage cans, and plants should be stored in a safe place, such as a garage or shed. The object is not to lose items that are most valuable to a person. Even though these items can be replaced, the extra money that it could cost can be saved if people would just salvage their items before a natural disaster destroys them all.
Trees- Limbs that overhang on a house should be trimmed down. Tree limbs can crash into windows when there are threats of increasing winds.
Windows- Window screens should be removed from windows. 5 to 8 inch thick plywood should be nailed to the windows to keep them from breaking during high winds and rain.
Cars- Cars should be parked away from trees and power lines.
Boats- All loose items should be taken out of boats, and tarps should be taken off the top of boats.
Utilities- Gas, water, and electricity should be turned off at the main cut offs using the correct tools.