Featured Image: Business Magazine Gainesville

We are in the midst of hurricane season, have you thought about how you can prepare yourself and your home? If not, we’ve got you covered with a checklist of everything you need to know for before, during and after a potential hurricane.

Before the Hurricane:

You should bring in any items that could be moved, displaced or be a potential danger to your property and the property of your neighbors. If you can’t bring these items inside your home, you should at least make sure that they are secured and can stay in place. If possible, you should always try to board up your doors and windows. Turn the fridge and freezer on high in case of power loss, and unplug small appliances. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and double-check your supply list (provided below). Educate yourself with your community’s evacuation plan, and always evacuate if authorities advise you to do so. Try to stay up to date on the news and weather situation for as long as you can, or until the power goes out.

To make sure you have everything you need when the hurricane hits, now is the time to check your supplies and run to the store for anything you might be missing. We’ve rounded up a few items that we think are always helpful below:

• Generator (if possible)
• Extra 5-gallon can of gasoline
• Three day supply of food, water, and medical supplies
• Flashlight
• NOAA radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Multipurpose tool
• Copies of personal documents
• Cell phone
• Portable charger
• Extra cash
• Rain gear
• Extra clothes
• An emergency blanket

You should also create an emergency plan with your family and close friends. For example, if power is lost and your phone is dead, how will you get in touch with them? Make sure you create a plan, like calling once power is back on and you are safe so that there is a clear understanding of when your loved ones will hear from you and no unnecessary panic takes place.

During the Hurricane:

If you aren’t advised to evacuate and you decide to stay put, the most important thing to remember when riding out a hurricane is to stay safe. Make sure your windows and doors are boarded and secured, lay down towels by doorways to potentially block any water that may try to seep into your home, and then head to your safe space.

The safe space within your home should be a room with no windows, preferably on the ground floor. You should stay put with others in your home during the storm and try not to leave your safe space or go outside at all.

Since hurricanes can take quite some time to pass, be patient and stay secure as long as needed!

After the Hurricane: 

Before exiting your safe space, the first thing you should try to do is listen to the NOAA broadcast or local news to get any major updates and stay alert for extended rainfall and flooding. Only exit your safe space or return home when authorities announce that it is safe to do so, and avoid flooded areas and washed out bridges when driving. Be wary of dangling power lines, and avoid any building that has water around it. Inspect your home and take pictures for insurance purposes, and use flashlights in the dark. Avoid drinking or using tap water until you can confirm it’s not contaminated. Finally, make sure you contact your loved ones who are waiting to hear from you.

We always hope the South Carolina coast and its residents remain unscathed during the hurricane season, but to stay on the safe side, we urge you to take the precautions listed above.