Your Guide to Hurricane Preparedness

The eastern seaboard is no stranger to hurricane season and the yearly preparation that comes with it. Yet as every storm passes, there are reports of local citizens getting caught in the wake of the storm. Mother nature has more strength than we can fathom and there is truly no way to tell how bad a storm may be. Hurricane watches and warnings are meant to advise locals to leave the immediate area in efforts to avoid unnecessary injury and even death. Here is some information to help you, your family, and your community prepare for hurricane season.

Hurricane Readiness

The hurricane season officially starts June 1st and runs through November 30th. Over the course of a few days, a storm can develop and strengthen to five different categories based on wind strength. The influx of destructive weather these storms bring is the main reason why national weather services and other local weather channels recommend evacuation if you are in a hurricane’s projected path.

Evacuation Orders

It’s important to have a preset evacuation plan in place as that will make it easier to pack and prepare quickly and efficiently. When considering what to include in your evacuation plan, make sure your destination is set, confirm easy access to supplies, and know what you need to do to prepare your house for possible damage.

Evacuation Plans

When selecting your destination, it is important to check South Carolina’s evacuation route. Most times, major highways are the main route for evacuation but these routes can get clogged due to the high number of drivers on the road. If the roads are heavily congested, state patrol officers may allow for use of both sides of the road. Make sure you have multiple planned routes to the interstate so you can choose the best route to avoid traffic.

Preparing Before The Storm

When considering evacuation supplies, consider that power and electricity may not be available at your home or on the road. Purchasing a generator is a great way to ensure that you and your family have power for essentials. Whether you are weathering the storm at your home or you are moving inland, a generator is a secondary source of power that can be a “game-changer” when you need it most. You can find a hurricane supplies checklist here but supplies that you may need includes:

Bottled Water
Copies of Personal Documents
Batteries
Medication
First-Aid kit
Non-perishable food
Blankets
Rain gear
Lamps

Finally, before leaving your home, it is important to prepare your residence for possible wind damage and flooding.

Boarding up your windows with plywood is a good way to protect weak points in your home.
Windows can break from hurricane-force winds or falling debris; reinforcing them may assist in preventing damage to your home.
You can also protect your real estate by lining the doors and lower points of elevation in your home with sandbags. Sandbags help block the water and slow damaging floods from entering your home.

All in all, hurricanes are extremely powerful storms that can cause devastating damage. We advocate following the national weather service recommendations for evacuations and preparing for every hurricane season with a plan as well as emergency stockpiles. Planning your evacuation route, purchasing supplies and stockpiling during the off-season, and protecting your home while you are away are some ways that you can safeguard yourself, your family, and your assets.

The Steinberg Law Firm has experienced quite a few hurricanes as we have been legally representing the Charleston community for many years. Steinberg Law Firm has experience protecting South Carolina residents from construction defects should their home be damaged in a hurricane. We are able to assist you legally to get the restitution you deserve to repair your home. If you find yourself in need of assistance please contact us by either visiting our website or by calling 843-720-2800.

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