Subject: K1) What steps should I take when a hurricane watch/warning is 
posted?

Contributed by Neal Dorst (HRD)

When a hurricane season starts -

The time to start your preparations is long before a hurricane watch is
issued for your area.  A good time to begin is during Hurricane Awareness
Week, which occurs the week before hurricane season begins on June 1st.
This is the time to make a hurricane plan or assess the one you have
already formulated.  Go through your hurricane supplies and replace
any items that are outdated.  Test your flash lights and other battery
operated equipment.  Check your shutters to ensure they're in good
working condition.  You may even want to deploy one or two to make
sure they fit properly and you remember how they go up.  Update any
emergency numbers and phone numbers for family contacts outside the
area.  Pick up a hurricane preparedness brochure at the store and
review it for pertinent tips and useful information.

When a hurricane watch is issued for your area -

Now is the time to double check your supplies, your shutters, and
your plans.  If there are any actions in your plan that need to be
done long before you hunker down, now is the best time.  You should
get some cash from the bank or ATM and gas up your car.  The longer
you wait, the longer the lines will be, wasting your time.

When a hurricane warning is issued for your area -

Now is the time for action!  Put up your shutters before the winds
get too high.  Clean up your yard and prep your pool.  Lower your
refrigerator temperature and fill up your bathtub and any extra jugs 
with water.  If you are evacuating, prepare your property first then
leave the area with plenty of time ahead since roads will become
congested soon after the warning is issued.

This is just a general outline of actions you ought to take.  Look at 
these Websites for more detailed safety plans:

- Red Cross' hurricane tips
	http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane   
- Preparado para un huracan - Red Cross en Español
	http://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja/preparate/huracanes
- Ready Gov's hurricane preparation site
	http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
- NHC's hurricane preparation site
	http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

Last Updated : May 6, 2014

Subject:  K2) What can I do to make my home/business 
              more disaster resistant?

Contributed by Neal Dorst (HRD)

If you do not have shutters for windows and other openings in your building
or reinforcement for larger doors and garage doors, then you should get
some that comply with the standards in your area.  If you have skylights
or similar openings that are inaccessible or impossible to shutter then
try replacing their coverings with shatter-resistant glass or film. Protecting 
the vulnerable spots in your building's cladding is the first line of defense 
you have in protecting your property.

Replace any missing tiles or shingles on your roof.  There are some products
on the market which increase roof integrity by applying a film that holds
the tiles or shingles together.  Replace any broken windows or doors since
these are more vulnerable to giving way under stress.  Obviously, repair
or replace damaged storm shutters since they too are more likely to fail.

If you have not had your property evaluated for compliance with current
building code standards you may want to hire a complany that specializes
in this.  They will be able to tell if your roof has proper hurricane ties
on the joists, that the walls are secured to the foundation, and if your
shutters are sufficient to protect your windows and doors.  Correct any
deficiencies they discover.

You might want to consider landscaping which minimizes debris or branches
impacting your building.  You may want to remove large trees near your
home that might be brought down on it in high winds.  Also choose plants
that don't break easily in the wind, creating windborne hazards for you
and your neighbors.

For more information you can look at these Websites for home safety 
information:


- Ready Gov's hurricane tips
  http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
- Hurricane Preparedness (Red Cross)
  http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
- Institute for Business & Home Safety
  http://www.disastersafety.org/hurricane/


Last Updated : May 6, 2014


Subject:  K3) What kind of hurricane shutters are available ?

Contributed by Neal Dorst

	http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index1.html
			Shutter FAQ
	http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index3.html
			Types of Shutters
	http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/shutters/index2.html
			Plywood Shutter Information

Last Updated April 22, 2010