Believe it or not, we’re currently in the second month of hurricane season, which began back on June 1st. And unless you’ve lived in New Orleans for a while, you might not know how to plan for an impending storm.
Although it’s impossible to predict when a hurricane will strike, you can still take certain steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home.
4 Tips to Help You Get Ready for Hurricane Season
You should never wait until the last minute to plan for a natural disaster, or else it might be too late to take action. Here are a few tips that can help ensure your safety over the next few months—remember, hurricane season lasts until the end of November!
If you ever have any questions about what to do in the event of a major storm, please consult the official NOLA Ready website.
Have an evacuation plan
In the event of an extreme storm, you could be asked to evacuate your home. Although this process might be stressful, you can ease the burden ahead of time by developing an evacuation plan with everyone in your household.
As you develop a plan, there are a few factors you need to consider. Make sure you know where you’ll go during a hurricane, as well as what you’ll take with you. You should have a bag that’s pre-packed with essential supplies, such as clothing, snacks, water, and a first aid kit.
It may also be beneficial to keep all of your important documents (like birth certificates and social security cards) in a waterproof container that you can take along with you.
Have emergency supplies
During a bad storm, you may not be able to leave your home for days or weeks at a time. That’s why it’s best to begin creating an emergency supply of all the belongings you might need before a hurricane strikes.
Not sure what you should stockpile? Start with the basic things you can’t live without: food, water, and medication. Bottled water and non-perishable food both have lengthy shelf lives, so you can buy them in bulk ahead of time. It’s also best to keep a first aid kit that’s fully stocked with all the medical supplies you might need.
Toilet paper, cleaning supplies, pet food, personal hygiene products, disposable cups and plates, paper towels, and cash are also valuable additions to any emergency kit.
Storm-proof your home
Your home is one of your most important assets, which means you’ll want to take every precaution to protect it from natural disasters. Newer homes in New Orleans are built to withstand damage from hurricanes, but there are still a few steps you can take to add another level of protection.
First, make sure your home is equipped with hurricane shutters or shatter-proof glass. All exterior doors should also be made of fiberglass or metal—not easily breakable materials like wood.
You’ll also want to ensure that your home is free of leaks or places where water can get inside. You can do this by cleaning your gutters, inspecting your roof, and double checking your basement or foundation for any cracks.
Review your insurance policies
By law, all homes in New Orleans must have flood insurance unless they’re purchased in cash. And while this might seem like just another expense, it can help you protect both your property and your belongings.
Even if you already have flood insurance, it’s worth reviewing your policy to find out what is and isn’t covered. A good policy should cover all damage to your home’s structure based on its replacement cost value, which doesn’t factor in depreciation.
If you don’t have a policy, buying one is actually quite simple. Just connect with a local Louisiana insurance agent and check out our flood insurance guide to get started!
Take Your Next Steps
If you want to learn more about what it’s really like to live in the Big Easy, the Nugent-Freeland Team is here to help! We can help you navigate everything from hurricane season to buying or selling a home, so just contact us to get started.