Hurricanes can cause severe weather conditions, such as excessive rains, strong winds, flooding, and tornadoes. They can cause massive devastation, such as Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey.

Experts suggest several preparations for hurricanes if you live in an area that is susceptible to them. If you live in Orlando, Florida, you might be familiar with the hurricane season. With many new residents moving from other states to the Orlando Area, we want to ensure you’re aware of how to best be prepared for a hurricane. Thus, it is important to have an emergency kit ready in case you need to evacuate. Here are some items you should include in your hurricane evacuation checklist:

Water & Food

You need to have a sufficient supply of water and food.

• Enough water for every person.
• Nonperishable food for evacuation such as crackers, canned foods, and cereals.
• Can opener

Power, Light & Phone

Be prepared for power outages.

• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Fully charged cell phone and a charger

Medication & Hygiene

• First-aid kit
• A seven-day supply of all medications
• Medical products (glasses and hearing aids, cane, etc.)
• Personal hygiene products (toilet paper and toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, feminine care, etc).

Clothing & Blankets

• Blankets
• Rain gear
• Extra clothes for the family

Transportation & Money

If you need to drive, avoid washed-out bridges and flooded roads.

• Extra cash (ATMs probably won’t work)
• Full tank of gas
• Map
• Extra set of keys

For Children

• Baby food, formula milk, and diapers (if needed)
• Entertainment sources that do not need power, such as books, cards, and some board games

For Pets

• Pet supplies include food and water bowls, canned foods, collars, and leashes

Now if you live in Orlando, we have been very lucky this season, but there’s always a chance of a storm heading our way and the need to evacuate. This blog will be quite helpful. You will be prepared with the evacuation guide and hurricane emergency kit, you will be able to ensure the safety of your family and pets.

How to evacuate during hurricane season?

When it comes to evacuating the hurricane, the best plan is to make an early decision. Here are the following options you may choose from during hurricane evacuation –

• Stay at Home:

During hurricanes, strong winds, storms, and floods can damage or even destroy a home. So if you plan to stay at home in the event of a hurricane, according to the hurricane forecast, you should always take preventive steps to prepare for any potential consequences of extreme weather.

So if you have planned to stay at home during a hurricane, make sure to reinforce it in advance according to the hurricane forecast.

Here are the following measures to prepare your home for a hurricane:

• Close and lock properly all doors and windows and inspect each of them again if necessary.
• Shutter all the windows with hurricane shutter or wood.
• Reinforce doors with some heavy-duty bolts.
• Upgrade to impact-resistance doors and windows to prevent them from breaking.
• Secure roof with metal straps, clips, or upgrade to an impact resistance if possible.
• Trim tree branches that are close to your home.
• Clean your rain gutters
• Reinforce your garage doors
• Bring in all outdoor items like furniture, garden tools, sporting equipment, and other items.

Apart from this, it is important to check your insurance policy. You should make sure that your insurance policy covers the damages caused due to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Commonly, a home insurance policy does not cover hurricane damages. In such a case, you can opt for a wind damage insurance claim and get a fair settlement.

To know more about how to secure your home for a hurricane, check out our Free Evacuation Guide You Can Use This Hurricane Season

• Stay with friends or relatives:

If you are wondering about staying with your friends or relatives, then create an agreement far before the storm approaches and also make sure that your hosts aren’t on vacation or renovating their place. When you move to their place, always take necessary things that you would take to an emergency shelter.

• Leave Home:

Not a single place is completely safe in Florida during Hurricane. It could cover most of the area of the state, or follow the coast and reach your destination. Before the hurricane arrives, decide where to go and book your hotel room before, as rooms fill very quickly at such times.

If you have decided to leave your home, make sure to leave early as airports will close in advance. There will be no flying option and trains will also fill quickly. If you are moving on the road and find a road jam, go back to home or shelter.

In case the storm is too close about 24 hours from landfall or nearer, don’t try to leave home as it’s too late to move.

About ClaimsPro USA:

ClaimsPro USA is one of the leading public insurance adjusters in Florida offering services to residents who are looking for their claim settlement due to any type of natural state such as a hurricane, flood, lightning, etc. All their team members have years of experience in dealing with insurance claims that have been denied or pending from insurance companies. They utilize proven methods for insurance settlement for their clients.

Thus, if you are thinking of getting the best hurricane emergency evacuation checklist along with a reputed public claims adjuster, then you can trust on ClaimsPro USA.