Historical context: This article was written ahead of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA’s final analysis of 2020 recorded 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes and seven major hurricanes; 11 named storms made landfall in the continental United States. The 30 named storms exceeded the previous record of 28 in 2005. See NOAA’s corrected 2020 season summary. For current preparation and warnings, use National Weather Service hurricane guidance.
Climate change and natural variability affect hurricane risks in different ways. NOAA research discusses projected changes in rainfall, intensity and coastal flooding, while noting uncertainty in some trends. Do not attribute every season’s storm count to a single cause; see NOAA’s hurricane and climate research overview.
In the meantime, the best we can do is take active measures to ensure the safety of our homes and families during the hurricanes. Here, we discuss how to prepare for Miami hurricane season and provide tips on preparing your house for a hurricane.
Get Hurricane Coverage
Review your property or renters insurance with a licensed agent before storm season. Covered causes of loss, deductibles, limits and exclusions vary; wind coverage does not automatically cover flood damage, and renters insurance does not replace the owner’s building coverage. See Florida’s renters-insurance guidance and the National Weather Service’s insurance-review advice.
Protect Your Doors and Windows
Do not assume a home will withstand a severe storm. Assess its vulnerability to wind, flooding and storm surge, and follow official evacuation instructions. However, the doors and windows are quite vulnerable as they are essentially additional fittings that aren’t as secure, airtight, or damage-proof. You should get storm shutters on all your doors and windows for additional protection.
You can also make simpler changes, such as inspecting the doors and windows before the hurricane season. Reseal all your windows and install heavy-duty bolts on all your doors to make the structure a little sturdier. You can also install impact-resistant windows and doors to save yourself the hassle of resealing them every year.
Check the Roof.
If your roof has straps that hold it down, you may want to look into installing metal straps to hold it down. We suggest you install an impact-resistant roof for additional safety and as a long-term investment into the safety and security of your house. If that is not something, you want to undertake at the moment, then arrange appropriate repairs to loose or broken shingles before a storm.
Check the Deck and Porch
You want to make sure that all the deck and porch posts are properly secured and anchored. You may also need to bring all the furniture inside. If it can fly away, it should not be out in the hurricane season.
Clean Out the Gutters
You need to ensure that the gutters are clean and do not have any twigs or broken branches blocking the drain. It will cause the water to overflow and pool around the sides of the house, which can cause water damage to the structure.
Prepare for Evacuation.
Lastly, but most importantly, know where to go when the storm comes and if things get out of control. Your home may no longer be a safe place for you to stay, so make sure you know where you can take shelter.
You must also pack an emergency evacuation kit with necessary food supplies, cash, clean drinking water, an emergency first aid kit, with all basic and essential medicines, as well as a pair of clothes.
Your car should have a full gas tank, so make sure you keep an eye on the news. These are just some tips on preparing your house for a hurricane; you may want to consult local authorities to know more about what you can and need to do.
