How To Be Hurricane Ready In An Apartment

Hurricane season in Florida typically runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. Tropical cyclones can manifest quickly, and regardless of whether you’re located on the coast or further inland, a hurricane’s impact can be devastating. Due to the spontaneous nature of tropical storms and their destructive capabilities, it’s best to have plans and prep work for protecting you, your belongings, and your apartment completed ahead of time.

Below, The Station Alafaya provides some advice on how to be hurricane ready in an apartment.

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Stock Up On Essentials

The moment a hurricane is forecasted, everyone will rush to stores and stock up on emergency supplies. Avoid having to make a mad dash for supplies at the last minute by preparing a disaster kit at the beginning of the hurricane season. Stock up on any essential household supplies you may need in an emergency. Some standard supplies apartment residents should consider stocking up on include:

It’s generally recommended that those who don’t plan to evacuate stock up on enough essentials to last them at least ten days. Keep in mind that you should have stockpiled enough water that every person and pet in the apartment can have one gallon each per day.

Prep Around The Apartment

Once you’ve procured ample emergency supplies, you can rest easy until a hurricane warning is announced. As hurricane warnings are generally reported about 24 hours before the hurricane arrives, you’ll have some time to prep your apartment. Start by bringing outdoor furniture inside to prevent them from being swept up and thrown around by strong winds. Grab your welcome mat, all the furniture on your porch or balcony, and potted plants and move them indoors until the storm passes. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for the electricity to go out in areas affected by strong winds. In preparation for this, fill your bathtub with water to use for sanitation purposes. If flooding is expected in your area or parked out in the open, move your vehicle to a safer location, such as the upper level of a nearby parking garage.

Also, take some time to determine which room in your apartment will be the safest to take refuge in amidst dangerous storm conditions. Typically the safest place would be an interior room where you can stay away from windows.

Keep In Touch

Communication is critical in any kind of emergency. Keep in touch with your friends, family, neighbors, and property manager. Your friends and family will undoubtedly be concerned about your well-being; stay in touch with them and keep them updated on your whereabouts. Your neighbors and property manager will likely have vital information on local resources and any additional safety measures your specific community recommends.

Consider exchanging contact information with neighbors and urge others to do the same. This way, residents of the same community can lend each other a helping hand and share supplies as the storm progresses.