While hurricane season in the Atlantic starts in June of each year, the amount of hurricanes, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall starts to ramp up as fall approaches. The best way to prepare for potential inclement weather is to ensure that your home is in the best condition to handle storms and that you and the rest of your family have emergency measures in place.
More than 100 local disasters struck Anne Arundel County last year, so it’s especially important for area residents to be ready. These are some simple steps you can take to prepare your home and your family for hurricane season, including advice from the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.
Create an Emergency Plan
If your family is ever in a situation where they have to evacuate, it is crucial that they know where to go and how to get there. A family emergency plan is not only useful in case of hurricanes, but for emergencies like house fires and other natural disasters. There is no one plan that fits every family’s needs, so consider your family’s age range, medical needs and other factors that could affect the evacuation process.
Make an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit should consist of at least two weeks’ worth of supplies, including food and first aid equipment, and it should be stored in a bag or container that is durable and easy to carry. A flashlight and radio may also come in handy in the event of a power outage. Make sure that any important documents that you may need to retrieve during a hurricane are stored in a safe and secure location, so you can access them quickly if you need to evacuate.
Reinforce Your Garage Door
If you have a garage, it should be closed when a storm rolls in. Garage doors that are not properly enforced can be easily damaged in the event of inclement weather, and if strong winds enter a garage, they can cause structural damage to the rest of the home.
Secure All Loose Items
Do not leave any items outside — these can include children’s toys, grills, hammocks and anything that can reasonably be brought indoors. These items can be lost or damaged during a storm. Putting them in a storage unit or a garage is ideal.
Prepare for Power Outages
Outages are common during inclement weather, especially during hurricane season. If you are anticipating a storm or hurricane, be sure to charge your devices beforehand and make use of low battery settings in case you need to communicate with family, the utility company or local authorities. A generator can be very helpful as a backup power source if you have time to prepare one, but you should never use a generator indoors or connect it to the house wiring.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts
The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management runs an emergency alert service called Alert Anne Arundel. While many smartphones can receive wireless emergency alerts from FEMA, Alert Anne Arundel differs from this service by providing updates on local emergencies and hazardous weather. Residents can sign up for the service by texting AAALERT to #38276 or by visiting alertannearundel.civicready.com.
