HOW READY ARE YOU? A HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST

You don’t have to live on a coast to get hit by the rains and winds a hurricane creates, and if you are in a high-risk area, you need to take steps — before hurricane season hits — to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for the potentially deadly damage.

A hurricane is a nature at its most destructive. These tropical cyclones don’t sneak up: When a hurricane is on its way, you’ll have several days’ warning before it lands, so keep an eye on the news or sign up for hurricane alerts.

But sometimes several days isn’t enough. If you act much earlier, you won’t be fighting your neighbors for the last jugs of water on the shelves.

BUILDING A DISASTER KIT

Avoid the mad dash for supplies by prepping a disaster kit before hurricane season nears. You’ll want a large plastic tub or duffle bag so that everything is in one place and ready to move. Pack it with the following:

Water jugs: Traditional wisdom says to bring a gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days. If you have room to carry it, err on the side of too much water.

Food: Pack up enough nonperishable food for a few days—and a can opener. Think canned tuna and fruit, dry cereal, peanut butter, or granola bars, and focus on high-energy foods rather than salty snacks that will lead you to use too much of your water.

Pack foods you’ll like and some comfort foods, as you’re going into a high-stress situation. No need to add to your angst.

• First-aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable radio (you might not have Internet service) and extra batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Toilet paper
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Glasses or contacts and contact solution

A change of clothes for each family member
Distractions like games, toys, and books
Pet food
Insect repellent
Whistle (to signal for help) or flares
Waterproof containers or plastic bags
BEING READY IN ADVANCE
Preparation isn’t just what you do when a storm is imminent. Many of the moves that best protect you are the ones you make far ahead of time, like building a disaster kit. You also want to take these steps:

Have a plan and make sure everyone in your household knows it. Choose a point person for everyone to contact and a meeting place if you get separated.
Keep a close eye on weather updates and emergency guidelines for your area.
Remove any dead wood from your trees; keep them trimmed so that they’re healthy and branches don’t reach your home.
Keep your car in good working order; gas up your tank when a storm nears.
Plan how you’ll protect your windows with permanent storm shutters or plywood. Long before a storm hits, make sure you have the right number and sizes of 5/8”-thick plywood sheets ready to be nailed in.
Reinforce your exterior doors. They’re more likely to stay put against a hurricane if they’re secured by three hinges per door and a one-inch deadbolt.
Regularly clean gutters and drains so that they’re in the best shape to handle heavy rain.
Purchase adequate homeowner’s insurance and become well-acquainted with its terms.
For official communications related to hurricanes, please visit the websites of FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, and the National Hurricane Center for the latest information. Please note that this is general preparedness information, not specific to a particular storm.