How to prepare your home for hurricane season

Carriacou following the passage of Hurricane Beryl. (Photo credit: CDEMA)

If you live in the Caribbean, on the coast, or anywhere a hurricane tends to hit, you’ve probably seen firsthand how destructive these storms can be. With winds ripping through at over 74 miles per hour, heavy rain causing floods, and the occasional tornado in the mix, hurricanes are terrifying at their best and deadly at their worst. And even if you’re inland and don’t think you’re at risk, you’re not always in the clear. Bad storms can still knock out power, flood streets, or shut things down for days.

The best way to protect yourself and your home is to get ahead of it, before that first storm shows up on the radar. Here’s what to take care of now.

Check Windows and Doors

Take a close look at your windows and doors. Check the frames for cracks, gaps, or anything that might let water inside, and consider adding caulk or weatherstripping for extra sealing. If you haven’t already, think about installing storm shutters or keeping some plywood cut to size and stored somewhere easy to grab when the time comes. For sliding doors, just putting a wooden or metal bar in the track can keep things much more secure.

Inspect the Roof and Gutters

Your roof also needs to be assessed. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing up there yourself, it’s worth having someone check for loose shingles, worn flashing, or anything that looks like it might give way. Even a single weak spot or some shingles leaking a little can turn into a major hazard once the wind and rain start coming down hard. While you or someone else is up there, clear out the gutters and downspouts to prevent water backup.

Clear Out the Yard

A lot of people forget about yard debris, but it’s not so easy to ignore when it starts flying through the air during a storm. Anything that’s not firmly secured poses a risk once the winds really pick up. Go through your yard and bring everything moveable inside, like grills, patio furniture, potted plants, etc.

For things you can’t easily move, like trampolines, use sandbags or bungee cords to anchor them to the ground. It’s also a good time to trim any weak or dead branches that could snap off in high winds. If you’ve got a lot of cleanup to do, you may want to get a yard waste dumpster rental to get everything off your property as quickly as possible.

Stock up On Supplies

Every time a hurricane is even a possibility, the same essentials fly off store shelves. Bottled water, batteries, flashlights, and canned goods sell out quick, so check your emergency kit early and make sure everything’s still usable. Replace expired food, fill up some water bottles, check your battery stash, and consider adding some extras like phone power banks or a solar lantern.

If you take medications, ask your pharmacy about getting a backup supply in case you can’t get there for a few days. It’s also smart to fill up a few gas cans. You’ll need them to fuel a generator and be ready to drive if there’s an evacuation.

Conclusion

Hurricane season can be scary, but being prepared will save you from panicking at the last minute. Both you and your home will be safer, and you won’t be rushing around to get supplies when everyone else is in pre-storm chaos. Just take some time to make sure everything’s in place now, and you’ll feel a lot more ready for whatever comes your way.