Create An Emergency Hurricane Plan In 2024

April 24, 2024

Did you know?

Several states, including Florida, Texas, and others, host special tax-free holidays before the onset of hurricane season. These events provide an opportunity to purchase emergency supplies without paying state sales tax. Monitoring and taking advantage of these tax-free periods can help reduce the financial burden of hurricane preparedness. ~ Sunshine Preppers

Creating a hurricane plan is an important step in protecting your home and family during hurricane season. Hurricanes can be devastating, with strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges that can cause significant damage. A well-designed hurricane plan can help you prepare for these events and minimize the impact on your life. Here are some tips on how to create a hurricane plan.

Determine your risk can be done by researching the history of hurricanes in your area and consulting with local emergency management officials.

This information will help you understand the potential impact of a hurricane on your home and community. Here is information from NOAA about hurricane patterns - August 2023.

Due to current ocean and atmospheric conditions, such as record-warm sea surface temperatures, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center—a division of the National Weather Service—has increased their prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to an “above normal” level of activity from a “near normal” level with their most recent update.

The outlook now includes a 70% chance of 14-21 named storms, of which 6-11 could become hurricanes, and 2-5 could become major hurricanes. The updated outlook also states that current conditions are likely to counterbalance the usually limiting atmospheric conditions associated with the ongoing El Niño event.

Although cyclone formation can occur any time of the year, the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, when most tropical cyclones tend to form in the Atlantic.

Ideas for your Emergency Hurricane Plan:

Create an Emergency Kit: As part of your hurricane plan, create an emergency kit. This should include items such as food, water, first aid supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a radio. Keep your emergency kit in a secure and easily accessible location.
Develop an Evacuation Plan: If you live in an area that is at high risk for hurricanes, develop an evacuation plan. Identify evacuation routes, and make arrangements for transportation and lodging. Discuss your plan with your family, and make sure everyone understands what they need to do in the event of an evacuation.
Secure Your Home: Before a hurricane, secure your home by boarding up windows and doors, and securing loose objects outside. If you have a garage, park your car inside and disconnect the garage door opener to prevent damage from high winds. It is also a good idea to have your roof inspected and repaired if necessary.
Protect Important Documents: Protect important documents, such as insurance policies, identification, and financial records, by storing them in a secure and waterproof location. Consider making digital copies of important documents and storing them in a secure online location.
Keep Your Insurance Up to Date: Make sure your insurance coverage is up to date and covers damage from hurricanes. Review your policy to ensure that it provides adequate coverage for your home and belongings.
Stay Informed: Stay informed about the latest weather conditions by monitoring local news and weather reports. Follow the instructions of local authorities, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Plan for Power Outages: Power outages are common during hurricanes, so it is important to plan for them. Have backup generators or alternative sources of power available, and stock up on batteries and flashlights.
Make Plans for Pets: If you have pets, make plans for their care during a hurricane. Identify pet-friendly shelters and hotels, and make arrangements for their transportation and care.
Practice Your Plan: Once you have created your hurricane plan, practice it with your family. This will help everyone understand what they need to do in the event of a hurricane, and will ensure that everyone is prepared.

Creating a hurricane plan is an important step in protecting your home and family during hurricane season. By following these tips, you can create a comprehensive hurricane plan that will help you prepare for and respond to hurricanes in your area. Remember to stay informed and be prepared, and always put safety first.

Here are some great links to more information:

HOW TO STAY PLUGGED IN DURING A POWER OUTAGES

ESSENTIAL HURRICANE TIPS FOR HURRICANE SEASON 2023

14 TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR BOAT DURING HURRICANE SEASON IN 2023

Evacuation route maps from the Texas coast, including from Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, Pharr and Yoakum, are available.

Hurricane Preparedness in Seabrook Marina
And check out More Tips how to prepare for a hurricane at the bottom of the page.

USEFUL LINKS

Town of Seabrook Hurricane Preparedness Plan

Town of Seabrook Evacuation Plan

Code Red - Local Response Team Notification

University of Florida IFAS publication "Hurricane Preparedness for Boat Owners"

A Boater's Guide to Preparing Boats and Marinas for Hurricanes by BoatUS

Preparing for Hurricane Severe Weather Checklist for Boaters issued by flseagrant.org