It’s that time of year again, folks: Hurricane Season. Your RV consignment center, PPL Motorhomes wants to remind you that the hurricane season began on June 1st and runs through November 30th. Living on the Gulf Coast this time of year can wreak havoc on the area in regards to storm damage and evacuation processes. If you haven’t already, you and your family should not only develop an emergency hurricane plan, but also put together an emergency preparedness kit.
Your plan should include:
- Understanding your home’s vulnerability to flooding and wind damage.
- Agreeing on the safest room in the house for your family to seek shelter if there is no mandatory evacuation.
- Develop an escape route and designate a place for your family to meet in case you are separated. (not everyone may be in the same structure at the time the full force of the storm hits).
- Have an out of state contact. It might be another family member, or friend you can stay with ahead of the storm making landfall.
- Post emergency telephone numbers in your house and teach your children how to use the 911 emergency phone system.
- Better check your insurance to understand your coverage. Flood insurance is usually an add on to most insurance policies. It might be a good time to look into getting it. Oh, and keep your insurance policy in a waterproof container, or bag. You may need it.
- Stock up on non-perishable food items and water. If there is a severe storm, you may not be able to just jump in your car and go to the grocery store. Prepare as if you are going to be holed up for a few days without electricity, or running water.
Your Emergency Kit should include:
- Flashlights, extra batteries, candles, lanterns, matches and kerosene. Light is going to be the one thing you wish you had more of in case of a loss of power.
- Portable radios and extra batteries that fit them.
- A well stocked first aid kit. You can buy a complete kit almost anywhere these days.
- If you have a baby, they are going to need a ton of supplies: a surplus of diapers and formula, especially.
- If you have any family members with special needs, you’ll need to prepare for them as well. This includes medications, or supplies them may need to keep them comfortable.
- Non-perishable food items and water in non-glass containers. Next to an abundance of light, you are going to need food and water. Prepare for disaster conditions.
- Fresh changes of clothes.
- Important documents in water tight containers: birth and wedding certificates, insurance documents, home ownership documentation etc.
- Any prescription medication
- A fully charged cell phone
- Don’t forget about Fido and Fifi…your pets are going to need extra food and water as well.
Living where we do, we can’t be too prepared for a devastating hurricane. We’ve seen them in the past and we’ll certainly see them again. Make sure you are ready when the time comes and know what to do in the event of a evacuation. PPL Motorhomes takes this stuff seriously, so should you.