Important Things to Keep in Mind When Creating a Disaster Preparedness List

Spring will soon be here, which makes now the perfect time to begin creating a disaster preparedness list. Hurricane season can begin as early as May and can last until November, peaking somewhere between September and October. While this many seem far away, you can never begin your hurricane home preparations too early.

Hurricanes are considered one of the deadliest natural disasters, and cause more fatalities than any other kind of storm. On average, hurricanes can be up to 2,000 times larger than a tornado and can last for weeks, though the average is 10 days. In fact, a hurricane can produce enough energy in a single day to keep the city of Las Vegas lit for several years.

As devastating as Hurricane Katrina was, it is only ranked as the third deadliest storm in the history of United States. The deadliest hurricane to touch down on American soil happened in 1900 in Galveston, Texas and claimed between 8,000 and 12,000 lives. While weather and hurricane detection methods have vastly improved, preparing for hurricanes is still critical, even if you don’t live in a coastal area. This was seen when the path of devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy reached far inland.

Creating a disaster preparedness list can you stay organized and focused while preparing your home for a hurricane. In addition, it’s of the utmost importance to create a hurricane preparedness guide or plan for your family. This guide should serve as your hurricane “Bible”, and should detail what your family will do in the event of a hurricane. It should contain vital information, such as the names and location of nearby shelters, and the contact information of nearby family and loved ones.

Also, you can save both time and money before hurricane season is in full swing by stocking up on essentials such as water, non-perishable food items, batteries, flashlights, and more throughout the year.