Hurricanes can destroy the lives of homeowners and business owners when it damages their homes or properties. That’s why being prepared can help you, your family, or your business minimize the impact of the storm or hurricane. The best way is to start before the hurricane threat starts to brew. Here’s what you need to know in preparing for the worst to come.
Things to Prepare before Hurricane
Emergency Contact Numbers
Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them somewhere where you can easily see it like on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house. Program them in your mobile phone, too.
Emergency Supplies
Gather and prepare an emergency supply kit such as food, water, medicines, and emergency power sources. These will come handy at these times.
For Pet owners
Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel (if there’s one near you), or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation if needed. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home so you can ask them for useful information.
Learn Information about Shelters and Evacuation Centers
You might need to evacuate if the situation will be worse. The address of the nearest evacuation center will come in handy. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them in the event of a storm.
Prepare information on Savannah Storm and Disaster Damage Restoration Companies
In case of structural damage in your home or property, it’s best to keep the contact information of a Savannah water damage restoration company near you.
Things to do During Hurricane, Things Not to During Hurricane
What to Do During a Hurricane
If you are staying home, here’s what you should do:
- Monitor weather conditions updates from the radio or television.
- Look out and stay away from all windows and exterior doors and seek shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide additional shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials.
- Evacuate to a nearby shelter or a neighbor’s home if your home is damaged or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
- If power is lost, turn off all major appliances to reduce the chances of damage in case of a power surge.
- If flooding nears your home, turn off the electricity at the main switch.
What NOT to do During a Hurricane
Avoid these dangerous actions and stay safe:
- Do not handle electrical equipment as much as possible and do not use the telephone except in an emergency.
- Do not go outside, even if the storm appears to have subsided since we don’t know what are the threats outside. The calm or the “eye” of the hurricane or storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when intense winds resume.
- Do not use candles during the storm as they could cause a fire. Stick with battery-operated flashlights or emergency LED lights.
- It’s not wise to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.
Things to Prepare after Hurricane
What to do after a devastating hurricane?
- When power returns to your home, do not start all major appliances at once since they can cause damage to your appliances. Turn them on gradually to reduce damage to some sensitive equipment.
- Avoid damaged or loose power lines and report them immediately to the local police and fire department.
- Even if you have ventilation, never use a generator indoors since this can cause deadly fumes. Exhaust fumes contain high levels of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly and poisonous if inhaled.
- Do not use electrical or gas appliances that have been wet by the flood, and do not turn on damaged appliances because of the hazards of electric shock or fire.
- Stay away from floodwaters as they can contain harmful contaminants and hide dangerous debris that could possibly harm you and your family.
- Take pictures of any damage incurred for insurance purposes.
- If flooding or water damage occurred, call a Savannah mold remediation and water damage repair company to respond to your water damage emergency. Make sure that this company has certified technicians to know and diagnose the issue right away.
Call on ServiceMaster of Savannah for your Savannah cleaning services and storm and disaster damage restoration. Be it for Savannah water damage restoration or mold remediation, they can respond to your emergency right away. Contact us now on (912)244-6966 or visit our website for a free estimate!
