Preparing For A Storm

7/24/2019 (Permalink)

When Hurricane Irma bore down on the Gulf Coast in September 2017, those of us who hadn’t heeded recommendations to pre-stock our hurricane kit figured out why.

The stores were mobbed, and the shelves were bare. That was BEFORE the storm hit. After it cleared, we waited more than a week for grocery stores to be fully restocked again.

Needless to say, for this reason and many more, the next year and all years to come, the team at SERVPRO of West Pasco is committed to creating our individual hurricane kits before the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season so we can stay ready for whatever happens.

Once a storm clears, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours.

Is your hurricane kit ready? Make sure you have the basics stocked, using the checklist below. Most items are low cost and easy to find, and each of these could save your life. For more details or to take a deeper look at what unique needs you or your family might have, check out ready.gov.

Recommended items for basic emergency supply kids include:

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Dust masks or bandanas
• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags, and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Hygiene items
• Important documents
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container