7 Tips for Returning Home After a Hurricane
The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been an active one! First Hurricane Harvey hit Texas hard, and then Hurricane Irma worked it's way through the Caribbean and up through Florida. While we often hear a lot about preparing for the storm, having an evacuation plan, etc., we don't hear as much about what to do after a hurricane. Depending on the severity of the storm, there can be a lot to consider. Keep reading for some tips for returning home after a hurricane.
Do not return home until local authorities advise it is safe to do so. Then follow these tips to stay safe as you make your way back home post hurricane.
In areas such as Florida, where there's only one major way in and out of the state, traffic can become severely backed up. Once a hurricane has dissipated, residents start flooding back on the roads, trying to get home and assess the damage. If you're one of those people that decides to hit the road, be prepared for traffic delays. In Florida, for example, Interstate 75 can easily become overcrowded with residents trying to make their way back to South Florida.
Many areas of South Florida experienced gas shortages during Hurricane Irma. With people frantically stocking up on gas so they would either be able to evacuate or get around after the hurricane came through, many gas stations actually ran out of regular gas days before the hurricane was expected to hit. With the amount of vehicles on the roads, gas stations along evacuation routes, particularly Interstate 75, saw gas shortages as well. As you plan to return home, keep in mind that finding gas on the way back may also be difficult.
When a major hurricane such as Irma hits the United States, power outages should be expected. Winds in excess of 100 mph are sure to knock down power lines. While crews are working extremely hard to get power restored across Texas and the state of Florida, it takes time to repair the widespread power outages caused by the winds of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. As you return home, be prepared to have no power in your home. Be sure to take flashlights with extra batteries with you. Do not use candles or anything else with an open flame for light, as the hurricane could have caused gas leaks, etc.
Not much water is needed to whisk a vehicle away and/or cause flood damage to your vehicle. Never drive though flood waters. In addition, you do not want to walk through flood waters as they could easily be contaminated with sewage and other unsanitary debris. Keep children and pets away from flood waters and other hazardous sites. Do not step in puddles or standing water if there are downed power lines.
Before entering the property, you'll want to inspect the exterior of your home. Hurricane conditions can weaken the structure, making it prone to collapse. For the safety of everyone involved, no building should be entered until the structural integrity has been verified. Residents should also be aware of and report any downed power lines in the vicinity of the their home. Also look for damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. Exterior damage can suggest serious problems inside the home.
For insurance purposes, be sure to take pictures of hurricane damage. Be sure to documents damages to the exterior and the interior of your home, as well as its contents. You want to do this before attempting to make any repairs. After taking photos, be sure to only make temporary repairs, such as covering holes, bracing walls and removing debris. Save all your receipts to show your insurance company.
Be cautious when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, while removing items from flood waters. Throw out any items that absorb water and/or cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys. Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. If the electricity has been off for an extended period of time, you'll want to throw out everything in your refrigerator and freezer as well. When in doubt, throw it out!
Big Bags USA® strives to help the country not only with hurricane and flood mitigation efforts, but also with recovery and relief. We are currently collecting donations as various locations across the Lake of the Ozarks area to be sent down to our friends and family in Florida affected by Hurricane Irma. For more information on these efforts, check out the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/484077788634250/. For those of you returning home to Florida, we wish you a safe journey and an easy recovery period. God bless!
Hurricane Season continues through November, and now is the time to start preparing for next time. Contact your local and state officials and emergency management personnel to make sure they have plans in place to mitigate the effects of another major hurricane. In regards to flooding, tell them about Big Bags USA® flood barriers and how they are more effective than traditional sandbags. They are 200 times faster to deploy and use half the amount of sand! Every flood mitigation plan should include a product such as Big Bags USA®. Learn more by visiting our website: www.BigBagsUSA.com.
Safety Tips for Returning Home
Do not return home until local authorities advise it is safe to do so. Then follow these tips to stay safe as you make your way back home post hurricane.
1. Expect Traffic Delays.
In areas such as Florida, where there's only one major way in and out of the state, traffic can become severely backed up. Once a hurricane has dissipated, residents start flooding back on the roads, trying to get home and assess the damage. If you're one of those people that decides to hit the road, be prepared for traffic delays. In Florida, for example, Interstate 75 can easily become overcrowded with residents trying to make their way back to South Florida.
2. Beware of Gas Shortages.
Many areas of South Florida experienced gas shortages during Hurricane Irma. With people frantically stocking up on gas so they would either be able to evacuate or get around after the hurricane came through, many gas stations actually ran out of regular gas days before the hurricane was expected to hit. With the amount of vehicles on the roads, gas stations along evacuation routes, particularly Interstate 75, saw gas shortages as well. As you plan to return home, keep in mind that finding gas on the way back may also be difficult.
3. Prepare for No Electricity.
When a major hurricane such as Irma hits the United States, power outages should be expected. Winds in excess of 100 mph are sure to knock down power lines. While crews are working extremely hard to get power restored across Texas and the state of Florida, it takes time to repair the widespread power outages caused by the winds of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. As you return home, be prepared to have no power in your home. Be sure to take flashlights with extra batteries with you. Do not use candles or anything else with an open flame for light, as the hurricane could have caused gas leaks, etc.
4. Do Not Drive or Walk Through Flood Waters.
Not much water is needed to whisk a vehicle away and/or cause flood damage to your vehicle. Never drive though flood waters. In addition, you do not want to walk through flood waters as they could easily be contaminated with sewage and other unsanitary debris. Keep children and pets away from flood waters and other hazardous sites. Do not step in puddles or standing water if there are downed power lines.
5. Inspect the Condition of Your Home's Exterior.
Before entering the property, you'll want to inspect the exterior of your home. Hurricane conditions can weaken the structure, making it prone to collapse. For the safety of everyone involved, no building should be entered until the structural integrity has been verified. Residents should also be aware of and report any downed power lines in the vicinity of the their home. Also look for damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. Exterior damage can suggest serious problems inside the home.
6. Take Pictures of Home Damages.
For insurance purposes, be sure to take pictures of hurricane damage. Be sure to documents damages to the exterior and the interior of your home, as well as its contents. You want to do this before attempting to make any repairs. After taking photos, be sure to only make temporary repairs, such as covering holes, bracing walls and removing debris. Save all your receipts to show your insurance company.
7. Throw Out Items Exposed to Flood Waters.
Be cautious when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, while removing items from flood waters. Throw out any items that absorb water and/or cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys. Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. If the electricity has been off for an extended period of time, you'll want to throw out everything in your refrigerator and freezer as well. When in doubt, throw it out!
Hurricane Relief Efforts
Big Bags USA® strives to help the country not only with hurricane and flood mitigation efforts, but also with recovery and relief. We are currently collecting donations as various locations across the Lake of the Ozarks area to be sent down to our friends and family in Florida affected by Hurricane Irma. For more information on these efforts, check out the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/484077788634250/. For those of you returning home to Florida, we wish you a safe journey and an easy recovery period. God bless!
Preparing for the Future
Hurricane Season continues through November, and now is the time to start preparing for next time. Contact your local and state officials and emergency management personnel to make sure they have plans in place to mitigate the effects of another major hurricane. In regards to flooding, tell them about Big Bags USA® flood barriers and how they are more effective than traditional sandbags. They are 200 times faster to deploy and use half the amount of sand! Every flood mitigation plan should include a product such as Big Bags USA®. Learn more by visiting our website: www.BigBagsUSA.com.
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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