Santa Rosa Beach Disaster Planning: How to Properly Prepare Your Home for a Tropical Storm

We all know the Emerald Coast is great, but we also know it’s an area where tropical storms are common. If you’ve never had to deal with a tropical storm in the past, then the idea of having to prepare for one could be stressful and even overwhelming. As hurricane season approaches, what steps should you take for disaster planning?

Do you need to start buying specific items from the store? How can you ensure your home is safe from major damages, including flooding? Where do you even begin?

Our handy guide will give you a few tips on tropical storm preparation in the Santa Rosa Beach Area. Make sure to be ready before it is too late.

Remove All Debris 

One of the first steps to hurricane preparation is removing all debris from outside your home. As the storm passes by, the strong winds can lift any loose items outside your home and cause damage. For example, a tropical storm with strong winds might lift a patio table and drop it on your home’s roof.

Do a thorough inspection of the items and debris around your home. Bring all items inside and dispose of broken branches, twigs, and other items that might be lifted by the winds.

Have Your Santa Rosa Beach Home Inspected

You should then have your home inspected by a professional who can assess any possible risks. Repairs might need to be done to your home, or the landscaping, to ensure everything will stay safe during a storm. They can help you make the necessary changes to your home so that it can withstand the storm.

Have a professional come out and do this inspection before hurricane season approaches. This will give you enough time to make the needed changes or repairs.

Install Storm Shutters

Installing storm shutters on your windows will prevent the storm from breaking the glass. You can find storm shutters at your local home improvement store. Consider having them professionally installed to ensure they do their job correctly.

This is also something you want to do before hurricane season since it takes time to install shutters on each window. As a last resort, you can board all of your windows and doors with glass.

Create a Hurricane Kit

You should have a hurricane kit prepared at all times and stored away until needed. Your emergency hurricane kit should include the following:

• Non-perishable foods
• Water bottles
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• A radio
• A first aid kit (including extra special medical supplies needed)

Place your emergency kit in a safe area that you can easily access if needed.

Check Your Insurance

Don’t forget to check your homeowner’s insurance policy. What damages from the storm will your insurance cover? Contact your insurance company and ask about your policy and how you might be able to update it to cover more.

If needed, you can also purchase extra insurance to cover the things your current policy might not be able to.

Be Prepared for a Tropical Storm in Santa Rosa Beach

Don’t let a tropical storm cause you stress. Be prepared and prevent storm damage. Use the helpful information given in this guide to keep you and your home safe during a storm.

Are you in need of water or storm damage restoration? Contact Barakat Restoration today to learn how we can help you.