Long range planning

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

Long-range hurricane planning

Make sure your home meets or exceeds current model building codes for regions often impacted by hurricanes. You may also want to do the following: 

• Talk with your family members about what to do in case of a hurricane. Designate an emergency meeting spot and have a plan for your pets.
• Show adult and teen family members where electrical, gas and water shut-offs are – and how to turn them off. Make sure the proper tools are nearby.
• Have a well-stocked first aid kit, flashlights and plenty of batteries.
• Install impact-resistant windows.
• Be sure your doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock with a bolt at least 1 inch long.
• Install permanent wood or metal stiffeners on your garage door. Or contact the door manufacturer about temporary supports you can easily attach and remove.
• Make sure your roof covering and sheathing beneath it can resist high winds.
• Consider replacing gravel and rock landscaping with mulch or shredded bark, which can be less deadly in high winds.
• Trim trees and shrubbery. Pay particular attention to weak or dead branches that could fall on your home or your neighbor's home.
• Decide how and where to secure your boat.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure.
• Learn the elevation level of your property (above or below sea level) and whether the land is flood-prone. This gives you a better idea of how your property might be affected by a storm surge or tidal flooding.
• Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
• Learn hurricane evacuation routes. Figure out ahead of time where to go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.

https://www.nationwide.com/hurricanes.jsp

SERVPRO of Grand Prairie is here for all of your restoration needs.