Hurricane season starts in just a couple of weeks, June 1, and it’s wise to be prepared for the impact of a tropical storm system. Even though hurricanes and tropical storms rarely have a direct impact on Central Florida (2017 and Irma being a statistical outlier,) it’s always a possibility that we can be directly affected by a storm so you must be prepared to respond quickly. FEMA has created a checklist of supplies that should be considered necessary to have on hand in the event a hurricane comes your way. You can find that checklist here.
You should be prepared with a minimum of 72 hours of supplies, even though you could be displaced or without power for longer. FEMA and Ready.gov have several other recommendations available on their website for supply kits here.
Hurricanes and tropical storm systems should never be taken lightly. Building codes and home construction in Florida have become significantly more stringent in order to protect life and property from the damaging effects of these storms, but you should never put yours or your family’s lives in danger, always heed the warnings of law enforcement and be prepared to evacuate if told to do so.
Hopefully, we will have many quiet years in Central Florida when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms, but being prepared in the event of a storm’s change of direction will make it significantly more likely that you’ll be safer and your property better protected.