Storms in the US are a common problem for its residents and everyone is aware of the diverse array of storms that can strike at any time of the year. Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, or severe thunderstorm, being prepared is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of you and your loved ones. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to prepare for a storm in the United States.
Stay Informed
It is important for you to stay informed about the weather conditions you can check weather data, and you should be prepared for any storm or harsh weather conditions which can easily cause you harm if you don’t take preventive measures in advance.
Take help from Technology
You can get help from various weather apps and websites and utilize these weather apps and websites to get real-time updates on weather forecasts and warnings. Regularly check your local news channels for the latest storm updates and evacuation notices, and pay attention to ESA messages on TV and radio for critical weather notices.
Make an Emergency Kit
Preparing an emergency kit is very crucial, an emergency kit is an important thing which you should have containing essential supplies during and after a storm. Your kit should include non-perishable food like dry fruits, canned foods and other items which should sustain your family for at least three days.
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitization purposes, a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes and painkillers. Ensure you have multiple flashlights and extra batteries to navigate in the dark, have warm blankets and extra clothing to stay warm in case of a power outage.
Make an Evacuation Plan
You may need to evacuate your home depending on the severity of the storm and familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes in your area. This will help you and your family to safely evacuate the place and reach a safe place droning a storm. Ensure your vehicles are in good condition as this will help you to leave the place.
Secure Your House
If you are in a tornado-prone area it is important for you to install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood. Make sure your door locks are working properly and there are no cracks in the wood.
Cut the overhanging branches of the trees that could cause a threat during a storm. Remove things that are kept outside your house which could turn into a projectile during a storm.
Also, keep some stored fuel as it will help you in many ways during a power outage.
Review Your Insurance Policies
You need to check your insurance policy whether it covers damages caused to the house or not. The policy will also mention how much will you get in rebuilding your home if your house is completely destroyed in the storm.
Many insurance policies give you cover for relocating as well as additional living expenses over the above of the normal day-to-day expenses if you are relocating.
You can also take family insurance as it will cover the expenses for all the members of the family if any injury or casualty happens to any of the family members.
Conclusion
We all know that natural disasters can come anytime and no one has any control over it, whether it’s an earthquake, flood, tsunami, hurricane or storm. Although it’s not in our hands to prevent it but we can take some measures to keep ourselves and our house safe.
By following the measures mentioned above you can prevent the life damages and also the financial damages which happen during a disaster. It’s our responsibility to keep our family members safe in all aspects by staying informed, assembled and following safety guidelines.
Remember, preparation is key, and it’s a collective effort that ensures our safety and resilience in the face of nature’s fury. Stay safe and stay ready.
