With hurricane season just around the corner, it is important for New Orleans residents to be prepared as possible for any of the dangerous circumstances that can occur. One obvious way of improving your house’s chances of making it through a hurricane without flood damage is to contact Acme House Raising to see what we can do for you. If your home is in an area prone to flooding, our house raising team can help protect you. Here are some other important tips to consider when considering hurricane preparation:
Make sure all of your important papers and documents are safe in a secure location. These may be instrumental in helping with any recovery that is necessary.
Obtain a working knowledge of any potentially hazardous situations around your house, such as knowing how to turn off electrical, gas and water supplies. Similarly, your home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher and all residents should be trained to use it.
Have emergency phone numbers readily available, such as the number for local hospitals, law enforcement or fire and rescue departments.
Be aware of whether or not you live in an evacuation area and if your area is susceptible to high winds and surge flooding. Have a plan of where your family can stay if you are required to evacuate.
Make a plan to care for the special needs of elderly or disabled people, and for any household pets.
Confirm that your home meets the current building codes for disaster situations, such as being able to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Keep landscaping and nearby trees well-maintained to reduce the chance of branches and debris being blown on or into your home.
Install impact-resistant windows or shutters to protect windows from flying debris.
In addition to a first-aid kit, prepare a basic disaster supplies kit, which should contain items such as: food, water, flashlights, tools, batteries, and hand-crank or solar-powered radios and/or cell phone chargers.
Most of all, if the time comes, make sure that keeping your family safe is your first priority. Keep gathering information as it is available via television or radio. If you have to evacuate, don’t return before the all-clear is given. When the time comes to assess damages or begin recovery, remember that Acme House Raising is here to help.
