Florida provides homeowners with several benefits, sandy beaches, nearly year-round sunshine, and plenty of outdoor recreational activities and attractions to explore. However, the weather can be a little less than predictable--especially during the annual hurricane season.
It can be sunny and seventy-five in the morning, and by the end of the day have a hurricane forming off the coast.
When hurricane watches shift to warnings or evacuation orders, it is beneficial to have an evacuation plan mapped out for your home and your family so you can respond at a moment’s notice.
If not, you could find yourself stuck in traffic as you drive toward your safety destination or leave your home and belongings vulnerable to hurricane wind debris.
Creating Your Hurricane Evacuation Plan
Creating a home evacuation plan can help prepare you for Florida’s unexpected weather patterns. Here are a few things to consider when creating your hurricane evacuation plan.
#1: Emergency Contact List
One of the first and simplest things you can do to prepare for an impending hurricane is to create a list of emergency contacts (family members, doctors, vets, etc.).
This should include their name, phone number, and address/location. Everyone in your household should have a copy made available to them so that they will know who to contact in the event of an emergency. Here you can access step-by-step instructions for creating your family emergency communication plan created by FEMA.
#2: Ready-To-Go Emergency Kits & Bags
If you are prepared ahead of time, you likely won’t be leaving home empty-handed because you will have prepared emergency kits and bags beforehand. Items you should consider putting in your emergency kit or go-to bag, include:
- 72 hours of food, water, and clothing
- Batteries
- Radio and flashlights
- Cash
- Medical supplies and a first aid kit
- Important home or medical documents
- Any animal supplies (food, water, medications, medical records, etc.)
#3: Installations to Secure Your Home
Ensuring that your home is properly sealed and secured in the event of a hurricane is key to protect your belongings and keep your home intact. Nailing plywood to the vulnerable areas (windows and doors) of your home can require an extensive amount of labor and time which is not ideal when you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
One way to effortlessly secure your home during this type of severe weather is by investing in either shutters or high-performance, impact glass windows. Both solutions are advantageous allowing you to efficiently and effectively secure your home from wind-born debris and strong hurricane winds.
At Eastern Architectural Systems (EAS), we provide a complete line of custom-made windows & doors: aluminum and vinyl, impact and insulated impact. Tested for strength and integrity, and built with style in mind, our windows and doors exceed the requirements and challenges of today’s discerning buyer and can help keep your home secure in the event of a hurricane.
Click here to find the nearest EAS window and door dealer near you or learn more about our installations by clicking the button below to download our product brochure.
