With hurricane season right around the corner, it is a great time to set aside a moment and prepare for a disaster. One of the ways to prepare is by having essential supplies on hand before a hurricane develops and starts heading your way. Don’t wait until the last minute to go to the store to buy your supplies because most likely you will find that so many other people have also waited for the last minute and have already emptied the shelves with no more left for you.
The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project predicts that we will have an active season this year with 12-15 Tropical Storms, 6-8 Hurricanes with 3-5 of them being major ones and 3-4 of them making U.S. landfall. After seeing the damage that Harvey, Irma and Maria did last year, I would say that it is definitely not something that we should take lightly.
So what supplies do we need? Here is a list that FEMA has put together:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
Along with that list they have also suggested these additional items to consider.
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – Bleach can be used as a disinfectant, dilute nine parts water to one part bleach. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
What else can you do to prepare? Well it’s time to look at any trees that you have and see if there are any branches that are dead or that may need to be trimmed up. Declutter drains, gutters and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. Reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including your garage doors and don’t forget your sheds. Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
Here at Speedy Equipment Rental we can help with any of your needs whether you need a chainsaw for those trees, man lift for getting to those higher altitude places, mid-size or full size backhoe for moving some dirt around for better drainage, a generator, or any other equipment or tool. Just stop by or give us a call and most of all, stay safe.