Seniors, do you have a plan in place if a hurricane touches down?

There are many items to consider when preparing for a hurricane. Even though as Floridians we are used to the yearly hurricane timetable one can never be too prepared. Protect yourself and your home by being prepared and ready to weather this storm.

We created this list especially with older adults in mind and as a reminder to ask family, friends, and your community for help when considering hurricane readiness. Remember preparation will save you time and stress when a hurricane is on its way.

Here are 10 items to prepare before a hurricane:

1. Secure your home. Bring inside or cover/tie down outside furniture. Secure storm shutters and awnings. Have trees and shrubbery trimmed that are in your yard and close to your house. Ask if your homeowners association (HOA) can help with this or see if a family member can assist you. [1]
2. Have an updated inventory of the items inside and outside of your home catalogued with name, description, and pictures of each item. Read our article, Three Ways to Track Home Inventory for suggested methods. You’ll need this list should your personal property become damaged or lost from a hurricane or other disaster. If you’re not tech savvy, a handwritten list will do, but an Excel spreadsheet would be even better. Call us with questions about cataloguing your home or if you need help.
3. Have all emergency phone numbers and important documents readily available in hard copies, stored in a waterproof bag. These include medical insurance and Medicare cards, home insurance documents, a hard copy list of contact names and numbers for friends and family, birth certificates, and social security cards.[2]
4. Contact your pharmacy to arrange for a one-month supply of all your medications. Organize medicine and vitamins with a daily organizing container and store with non-perishable foods to continue taking important medication without delay.
5. Have an extra pair of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses along with extra hearing aid batteries. If you use an electric wheelchair, consider a compatible solar powered battery pack or other solution to keep you moving if your electricity cuts out.
6. Create a hard copy list of style and serial number of all medical devices.[3]
7. Ask family / friends to assist with lowering all blinds, closing curtains, and removing furniture away from the windows ahead of the storm hitting.
8. Contact a local vendor, prior to the start of hurricane season, to have hurricane shutters installed or ask if they are able to board windows once the local news reports that a hurricane will be in your area. If you already have hurricane shutters, it is important to use them. Your property insurance policy may not cover damage if you avoided putting them up due to lack of time or help.
9. Contact your insurance provider to make sure your home is covered and up to what value in the event damage occurs from a hurricane. Contact our team if you’ve experienced property damage. Di your insurance company underpay or deny your claim? Read our article, Did You Receive Full Coverage from Your Insurance Claim to learn why that happens and how you can fight back.
10. Make sure to have these supplies purchased in advance; [4]
    1. Gas
    2. Water
    3. Non-perishable foods
    4. Generator (if possible)
    5. First aid kit
    6. Cash
    7. Flashlight
    8. Batteries
    9. Radio
    10. Trash Bags

Finally, connect with the property managers of your home community and ask what plans they have in place to secure your community and assist you if necessary.

Whether you’re a native Floridian or new to the sunshine state these ten items can make a huge difference when a hurricane comes to town, helping you and your home to be prepared and ready.

We are here for you before and after a hurricane. Contact us with questions about additional ways to prepare your home. Have you already incurred property damage resulting from an insured event such as a hurricane, fire, tornado, or lightning strike? We can help.

[1] Before & After the Storm: Hurricane Preparedness Tips & More for Seniors. (2020, July 27). Retrieved August 24, 2020, from https://www.sonashomehealth.com/special-hurricane-preparedness-considerations-for-the-elderly/

[2] Disaster Preparedness for Senior Citizens by Senior Citizens. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org/.

[3] Florida Disaster Preparedness for Seniors. (2012, May 29). Retrieved August 26, 2020, from https://www.agingwisely.com/successful-disaster-preparedness/

[4] The Current. FPL, C. (n.d.). Hurricane Guide for Seniors. Retrieved from https://www.fpl.com/storm/pdf/storm-guide-seniors.pdf