The 2020 Hurricane Season may be Longer than Expected; therefore, Hurricane Preparedness Remains Paramount
There is a moderate-to-high chance that at least one or two more named storms do develop this year, clinching a record and placing 2020 into uncharted territory.
Hurricane season is upon us and is not letting up until at least the end of November; possibly even December according to some models. The 2020 season has created hurricanes at an alarming rate. In 2020, we have experienced:2
· 27 Named Tropical Storms (tying the previous record from 1916)
· 11 Hurricanes with the majority of these reaching landfall
· 4 Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or above)
· 156 Fatalities
· $27.9 Billion (USD) in damage
Even a smaller tropical storm can transform into a dangerous hurricane in a short matter of time. So, if you live in a coastal area, or operate a business, that is regularly impacted by tropical storms, it is always smart to be prepared for the worst.
Here are some key preparedness tips that will help your family pick up and move if the time ever comes to evacuate before a hurricane hits. Please note many of these tips also apply to coastal businesses.
Always Have a Plan
If you must evacuate, the goal should be to get out with your belongings as fast as possible. Before a storm even starts showing signs of hitting your area, create an evacuation plan for your family or business. Business plans should include the required actions needed to address significant disruptions in their extended value chains.
Key plan elements include:
● Shutting down all utilities
● Planning a common meeting place in which everyone in the family or business is aware
● Creating a definitive line of communication (mother calls son, son calls, sister, etc.) Or a branch location calls regional office, which notifies corporate
● Determining a way to safely get all people and pets out of the house or business
Sign Up for Local Alerts
In the heat of the moment, you are not going to have the time to track the storm on television or radio. Once you know that your community is in the path of a storm, sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service, NOAA and other community notifications provided in your area. This will help you accurately track the weather conditions of a storm and alert you to evacuate as soon as safely possible if the need arises.
Stock Up on Supplies Over Time
It is best to build up your emergency supplies over time, rather than rushing out to the store with the masses, hoping to find what you need for your business, family and pets. Some of the essentials you can store for the long-term before a storm are:
● Emergency chargers
● Generators
● Flashlights
● Batteries
● Water
● Mini-water filtration system
● Three days-worth of non-perishable foods
● Sanitation products
● First-Aid Kits for humans and animals, alike
● Pet Food
Secure Essential Documents
Documents that can easily be washed away in a storm should be stored in a secure safe that you can easily pick up and leave with. Legal papers, birth certificates, marriage licenses, insurance policies, and related valuables should always be sealed away prior to a hurricane’s arrival.
Double Check Your Insurance Policy
You may have moved to the area from one that usually is not threatened by hurricanes. In the situation where a major storm hits your home, you want to be positive that your property or business is properly insured.
Keep in mind that most standard property insurance does not cover flood damage. Make sure that your home or business is protected and ask your insurance provider what exactly the plan in place covers. If flood loss isn’t in your current plan, ask your insurance agent about purchasing flood insurance.
A After the Disaster, Trust TAS Environmental Services to Help You Pick Up the Pieces
After the storm has passed, wait for the signal from authorities to return to your property. Flooding and debris from a hurricane can be dangerous to attempt maneuvering through on your own.
However, you can rest easy knowing that TAS Environmental Services is dedicated to helping communities like yours clean up and clear out the aftermath of a storm. Our emergency response services are available 24/7, and we are always ready to help. Contact us today for more preparedness tips or to learn more about our emergency services.