Living in Florida has plenty of advantages. Mild winters, beautiful beaches and enough culture to take you around the world and back again without even dusting off your passport are just a few of the reasons that Jacksonville is a top-50 place to live according to U.S. News & World Report.
But the one thing that Florida offers its residents that isn’t exactly a boon to the homeowners who reside in the Sunshine State is the annual hurricane season. Fortunately for those here in Northeast Florida, more often than not Jacksonville is spared the brunt of most tropical storms and hurricanes each year. But that doesn’t give residents here a free pass when it comes to hurricane preparedness.
Having a solid plan for hurricane season is something any homeowner in Florida should have ready to put into action anytime a tropical storm or hurricane is threatening to swing through the area. While technology and science have helped weather forecasters build better models predicting storm behavior, the paths that these storms take can shift or change dramatically over the course of a few hours. These few hours and a storm plan can be the difference between a mild inconvenience or a total disaster.
Things your plan should include are:
- Non-perishable food and water stores in case power/water service is lost for an extended period
- Emergency supplies of fuel, batteries, flashlights, candles and a first aid kit for minor injuries.
- A route that you can safely take in the event of an evacuation
- Ways to protect your home like storm shutters or even pre-cut boards to secure windows and doors
These are just a few things to keep in mind should a hurricane find it’s way into your neighborhood. For the most up-to-date info regarding tropical storms and hurricanes, visit www.nhc.noaa.gov.
