Hurricane Preparedness: Survival Tips as East Coast Braces for Path of Hurricane Irene

Being prepared for a hurricane means more than just boarding up the windows. As the path of Hurricane Irene shows that the storm will have an impact on the entire eastern coast of the United States, individuals need to take some time to evaluate their level of hurricane preparedness.

One of the first important steps which people often overlook when getting read for a storm it a review of their current insurance coverage. With a storm, and the start of the hurricane season approaching, now it the time to contact your insurance agent for your home and auto to make sure you are adequately covered.

Make a personal inventory of the items in your home that you would want covered in the event of a loss. It is much easier to make a list now than when your property is devastated and scattered. A good tip is to use a digital camera and take pictures of the items in your home.

If you have large trees near your home, make sure to trip any weak branches and call a tree service if necessary. Thinning out the canopy of a large oak, for example, allows the 74+ mile per hour winds of a hurricane or storm to pass through the tree with less chance of breaking a limb or uprooting the tree.

If you need to board up windows, use half-inch outdoor plywood. Anchor kits are available from most home improvement stores to make the job much easier, and the anchor systems can be left in place for future storm. This makes getting ready for the next storm much easier and faster.

Make your evacuation plans now. Coordinate with friends or relatives who may live in an area to where you could go or make some early hotel reservations now. Most hotels allow you to cancel by 6PM the day of arrival and not be charged. This way you can secure a reservation, but if the storm changes course, you can simply cancel.

Finally, the basics. Stock up on water for drinking, and also fill a bath tub with some extra water for cooking and cleaning. Check flashlights and radios for batteries, and if you have the means, purchase a backup generator to run a few appliances and a refrigerator. Don’t forget to buy gas for the generator and fill up your vehicles.