Hurricane Season

Although Hurricane Season has officially been in effect for awhile now, it's usually late August when we really  start to consider what things need to be done to protect our homes.  The list below is a good one and was borrowed from the LSU Agricultural Center.

The biggest risk to homes, away from the coast, is flying debris, therefore picking up items from your yard as a storm approaches is a good first step.

Hurricane winds can turn movable items into missiles that cause damage or injury to anything or anyone they strike. If a limb or a lawn chair propelled by 100-mile-per-hour winds break a window or smash through your roof, the damage then is complicated by rain and wind that rush into your home.

Here are some tips for preparations you can complete yourself to protect your home:

• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm. Then use that checklist to help you remember anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds, and make sure those items are brought inside or secured before a storm hits.

• Check your yard for debris, and keep it picked up. Hurricane winds can pick up anything that’s not secured, and even trash and debris can cause damage to things they hit.

• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs. Also, strategically remove branches so wind can blow through. You may need the help of a license arborist to complete big jobs, and it’s important these chores are done well in advance of a storm, so you don’t have piles of debris or trimmings lying around.

• Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts, and make sure none of them are loose. Hurricanes often bring long periods of heavy rain. Providing clear drainage will help prevent flooding that could result if water can’t run off.

• If you don’t have impact-rated hurricane shutters, cut half-inch-thick plywood panels to span each opening (well in advance, if possible), buy long mounting screws or specialty hardware and drill the mounting holes into framing (not just in trim or brick veneer) in advance, so you can cover the windows and doors quickly. Be sure to mark which board fits which window to save time, too.

• Keep in mind that tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Taping windows is not recommended and really can just take critical time from more effective preparedness measures. The only thing tape might do is to help reduce the scattering of broken glass. It’s important to buy the supplies you’ll need well ahead of time. Well ahead of time, buy the items you’ll need to board up windows, tie things down and take other measures to protect your home. When a hurricane threatens, supplies are quickly sold out at many stores – and the stock generally may not be replenished until after the storm.