Battling Wind and Rain: Is your Home ready for Hurricane Season?

For people residing along the Gulf coasts, hurricane season comes around just as predictably as every other season. It’s basically from June through November, peaking August through October. Think about Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey. Scary, isn’t it?
But what exactly have you done to get your home prepared for this apocalypse?

If you are still looking for an answer and living in a disaster denial, which most of us do, then you’re not alone. As for hurricanes especially, many people fail to realize that the storm surge is the most threatening bit. So, are you done living in a denial? We’ve listed a couple of critical tips on how to prepare for Hurricane Season: 

1. Storm surge is immensely risky. If you’re living on the coast, be aware that a big surge can rise to your roofline in a matter of seconds. Make a plan in case you need to evacuate. 

2. Plywood to the rescue- Simple 5/8 inch plywood covers offers good protection. Cover all the windows to protect them from breaking. Permanent hurricane shutters of cut-to-fit marine plywood work just about fine. 

3. Protect your garage doors with hurricane panels, or reinforce the doors from the inside with studs or braces. If wind enters a garage space it can cause massive structural damage. 

4. Consider building a safe room. 

5. No disaster preparedness article would be complete without an insurance reminder, so 

• Is your insurance up to date?

• Are you insured for full replacement value?

• Storm surge is classified as flood damage. So should you consider having flood insurance?

Other property precaution tips: 

• If you happen to live in a high-rise building, you need to stay alert of the fact that potentially damaging wind pressures increase with height. 

• Avoid leaving anything outside, be it your furniture, tools, gardening stuff, etc. Trim trees early so that it’s manageable before the hurricane strikes.

• Make sure to fuel up your vehicles and emergency power generator well ahead of time to avoid the last minute rush at the petrol pump station. 

• Most importantly, watch the news. The more you learn, the better you’ll be able to prepare and respond to the emergency. Keep an eye on the Weather channels for any kind of critical information and weather updates about the status of the hurricane. 

• These huge, churning storms can spell disaster with wreaking havoc in many ways. We hope these tips help you to survive the fury of a hurricane. For more information visit.

The difference between a Tropical Storm Vs. A Hurricane

If you’re a native or a long-time inhabitant of the Southwest Florida coast, you are bound to know a thing or two about various tropical storms. But if you’re new to this area, you’d probably want to know more about tropical storm season and hurricane season, specifically, how to prepare for such storms.

Let’s talk about the difference

Both tropical storms and hurricanes are usually huge ones that are formed over the water, starting out as a low-pressure system called a tropical depression. When a tropical depression strengthens, the storm becomes a tropical storm. And if that storm continues to strengthen, the storm is classified as a hurricane. 

So, what’s the main difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane? Wind speed!

But that’s not the only difference. Hurricanes are known for their iconic spiral shape with a small patch of clear sky in the centre, called the ‘eye’ which distinguishes it from other tropical storms. Hurricanes are usually formed due to the air spiralling inward into a counterclockwise direction. It is most intense at lower heights, but the circulation becomes weaker with height and finally turns clockwise near the top of the storm. They also tend to be more compact, smaller in diameter and far more intense than tropical storms.

For instance, when Irene hit New York City, it had lost its wind speed and was considered a tropical storm rather than a hurricane. It did not cause much damage in that region as compared to North Carolina where the wind speed was enough to categorize “Irene” as a hurricane.

Tropical storms are extremely low-pressure areas over the ocean with a cyclonic rotation of winds. Hurricanes are considered to be intense, cyclonic or rotating weather systems formed over oceans usually in the tropics due to the formation of low depression areas.

When the speed of the wind is between 39 mph to 73 mph, the tropical depression developed is classified as a tropical storm. However, when the wind speed exceeds 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. Hurricanes have been observed to be smaller in diameter than mid-latitude storms.
Hurricanes have a well-defined eye while tropical storms lack the presence of an eye.

Over the last several years, the United States has experienced several devastating hurricanes. They have resulted in great damage to the areas they have afflicted and left haunting memories in the minds of those who lived through them.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, although these severe storms can occur any time prior to or after the official season. Being prepared is the key, and having a survival kit can be extremely helpful in delivering comfort as well as aiding in survival. A kit may include bottled water, non-perishable foods, toilet paper, soap, flashlights and fresh batteries, warm blankets, change of clothing, and personal toiletries.

Becoming more aware will help you to know what to expect for in case of a hurricane. Becoming prepared will help you to get through the adverse time. Find out the time to learn all about hurricane season and what you need to do to protect yourself, the ones you love, and your property. To know more Visit.

How to prepare for Hurricane Season

The onslaught of hurricanes seems unending. Despite being at the threshold of these late-summer storms, the cruise industry has been managing itself with aplomb. When we hear about the Bahamas, there is a range of things that can lure a traveller but before you set sail, you might want to check the weather forecast. So, in case you’re planning to sail during this time, it’s important to know what to expect.

It’s usually unlikely to find out how safe your cruise ship is during this time and by this time we mean most storms happen between mid-August and mid-September. In the Western Caribbean, they occur slightly later, between mid-August and early November.

If you’re still determined to sail, we have jotted down a few hurricane season tips for you:

Is the ship safe at all?

Unlike a fishing boat, a cruise ship can’t be avoiding hurricanes by just mooring in an inland canal or hiding among the mangroves. The only way left is to sail away until it reaches a safe harbour or it meets the calm waters. While cruise lines might end up altering itineraries or skip a place, but the top priority for all the cruise lines in all of this is safety.

Steal a fantastic deal:

If you’re hoping to get an amazing deal, the peak three months of hurricane season (August-October) is an ideal time to book a cruise. For the biggest savings, it is advised to wait until June to get the best last-minute offers from the cruise lines.

Pack sea-sickness remedies:

While a ship can leave behind the storm or change its course, you’re still likely to face turbulences which in turn might make you fall sick. Hence, you should carry some remedies along because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Be flexible with your expectations:

A change in the itinerary is the most common when a hurricane happens to hit. Expecting a change and being flexible is the key. Don’t make up your mind on visiting a certain point, you might be taken aback with the surprises that a new experience might hold for you. And you never know, you might discover a place that can become your most favourite. Cruising in a hurricane is surely a fun adventure so sit back and relax!

You need travel insurance:

It’s relatively inexpensive and will not only safeguard your investment but also provide peace of mind. Be sure to buy a policy that includes hurricane-related coverage. The aftermath of a hurricane can create havoc to more than just the cruise itself. It will even cover extra expenses incurred for your travel to and from the port.

Pack for the worst:

Choose to relax in the quiet bar while everyone’s busy rushing to find a dryer. Don’t go unprepared. It’s best to pack with the worst in mind when it comes to cruising in hurricane season. Pack a few extra essentials to ensure you don’t get caught up in all the hassles.

Now, with all these hurricane safety tips, we are sure to have you prepared for the adventure of cruising during hurricane season. To know more visit us. 

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