Coping with a Hurricane

If you live along the coast, you are familiar to hurricanes. They come every now and then and leave a brutal mark on communities. Their winds are massive and they can quickly do destruction taking buildings with them.

What if you are new to the area and a hurricane hits? The list of hurricane to-do list can be daunting if not frustrating if this is your first go at hurricanes. Hurricanes can destroy everything in their path or miss the coastline altogether. Either way, it never hurts to be totally prepared for whatever is about to come.

When is Hurricane Season?

For the Atlantic, Hurricane Season begins May 1 and ends November 30. That is a wide berth for hurricanes to ravish havoc on Unites States coastlines. We've seen in past years how hurricanes have a mind of their own, coming when they like. As close to May 1as possible, and as late in the season as possible.

When do Hurricanes usually hit?

Historically, hurricanes hit from August to October, as this is the peak season. Of course, this is just a statistic, and we know Mother Nature doesn't always listen to statistics so be prepared the entire hurricane season.

How do they come up with Hurricane names?

What a fun job this must be. The truth the National Hurricane Center has a prepared list of names. Actually, they have several lists to go off of. If we have a storm, they go straight off the list. If there is a really destructive hurricane, they will retire that name.

Preparing for the Hurricane

Stay Calm

The best way to deal with a hurricane is by staying calm. If you decide to bunker down and stay through the hurricane, be ready before the hurricane hits. Have a particular room in the house you plan to bunker down in; preferably a room with no windows. Have your portable radio, bottle waters, toys for the kids, pillows, blankets ... pretty much, anything you need to survive the hurricane.

Be Prepared

First, remember to be prepared. Sounds easy, right? Preparing for a hurricane can take less time if you start preparing before storm season. That means buying a little here, a little there. Things like water bottles, candles, and batteries are easy things that you can have on hand all the time. Catch sales and save even more money.

What do I need for Hurricane Season?

As you get ready for hurricane season, remember to think before the storm hits. Being prepared for hurricanes will pay off in the long run! If you need a Hurricane Check-off List, here are a few things you will need to have ready before the hurricane hits.

• Flashlights

• Batteries

• Candles

• Ziploc bags for important documents

• Water bottles

• Gallon Water

• Granola Bars

• Food (Anything that can be without electricity)

• Wood Planks (If you do not have hurricane shutters)

• Portable Radio

Sources:

National Hurricane Center

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