On the Home Front Blog

Hurricane Season is here. Is your home prepared?

by Brandon Simpson and Dan Lawson

Hurricane season began June 1. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a range of 9 to 15 named storms, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes. You’ve heard the saying, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst”? That’s good advice, as we think back to the catastrophic winds and flooding that took place in North Carolina last year. You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to batten down the hatches. Here’s a quick check list of steps to take to prepare your home for a major storm.

Inside the home

• Install surge protectors to prevent damage to your electronics and appliances caused by power surges.
• Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed, to avoid leaks.
• Check your sump pump (if you have one) and drains to make sure they are working.
• Know where your water, gas and electrical cut-offs are located, so you can turn these off if needed. If you evacuate, be sure to turn off the main breaker in your circuit box.

Outside the home

• Strong winds and excess water can do severe damage if they penetrate the roof. Examine the surface, and fix and replace all tiles and shingles that are missing, cracked, or warped.
• To keep flying debris from lodging in your outdoor HVAC unit, protect it with a manufacturer-approved cover.
• Cut back low-hanging branches and limbs on your property to keep them from hitting or damaging your home during high winds.
• Put away yard furniture, potted plants, outdoor toys, and anchor objects that are hard to move such as swing sets and play equipment.
• Cover your pool, secure your boat, and garage your cars.

Evacuation arrangements

• Have a plan and a place to go if you have to evacuate.
• Prepare an emergency kit with food and water for you and your pets to last for at least two weeks + medicines, first aid kit, flashlights, solar lanterns and copies of important documents, including deeds and proof of ownership of assets.
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers flood insurance (it typically doesn’t). The damage of just one inch of water in your home can cost more than $25,000 in repairs, so it’s a good idea to be covered. Just remember, there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance policies go into effect. Visit www.GetFloodFluent.org for more details.

Additional Resources

• The Weather Channel
• Ready.gov
• National Hurricane Center
• Suffolk Virginia Emergency Management
• Isles of Wight Emergency Management
• Coastal Virginia Tiered Evacuation Zones
• Check with your specific city’s emergency management for more information

Hopefully, our region and your home will be spared this year. Let’s be careful out there!

To learn more about building a custom-built home, call our AB Homes specialist at (757) 435-9900. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

All the best,

Brandon and DanoSpecialists
are Standing by

(757) 435-9900

We’d love to answer your questions! Call us to schedule an appointment to see our model home.

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