Experts in the science of meteorology are predicting an above average season of hurricanes. 12 named storms are predicted for the 2002 season (9.6 storms are the average). If the experts are correct, expect to hear the names Arthur, Bertha, Christobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Isidore, Josephine, Kyle and Lili during the season from June 1st to November 30th. If they guessed light, you’ll hear Marco and Nana and maybe Omar, too. In any case, these are visitors you don’t want to invite into your home. (Image on right is from NOAA, showing Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001). The Institute for Business & Home Safety has advice to help you keep your property safe from the effects of tropical storms. Here is a Top Ten List of things you can do now before the hurricane season starts:
1) Reinforce your garage door. This is one of the first areas of vulnerability in a house, and once the garage door goes, the roof quickly follows. Install permanent wood or metal stiffeners, or an impact-resistant door that can withstand strong winds.
2) Glue your roof down. This inexpensive job can substantially increase the strength of your roof. If you have access in your attic to the underside of your roof, apply construction-grade glue along the joints where the sheathing sits on the rafters or truss.
3) Connections, coverings and codes count! If you are replacing your roof, make sure your contractor removes coverings down to the bare wood sheathing. Confirm rafters and trusses are securely connected to the walls. Refasten existing sheathing according to proper building code requirements for high-wind regions. Use a heavier felt roofing paper, secured with sufficient fasteners, to increase protection from water damage, and install a roof covering designed to resist high winds.
4) Protect your windows. Install shutters or impact resistant windows. If you choose plywood storm shutters, make sure they are a minimum of 7/16” thick. Buying needed supplies before hurricane season helps you avoid supply issues and long lines.
5) Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark. Which would you prefer flying around during a serious hurricane?
6) Reinforce double-entry doors with heavy duty foot and head bolts.
7) Make sure screened porches and carports are properly attached to the house.
8) Got gables? Brace them. Gabled roofs take a beating during a hurricane. They can be easily braced with anchored beams perpendicular to the truss.
9) Know what needs to be secured when the storm is approaching. Items in your yard could become deadly missiles in high winds. Outdoor furniture, garbage cans, yard ornaments, etc., should be moved before they move into your living room in the middle of the storm.
10) Make plans. Establish a point of contact for family and friends. Replenish supplies, such as batteries, water, canned goods and medicine. Planning ahead can help you recover quickly from a disaster.
Free single copies of the IBHS booklets "Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster? A Homeowner’s Guide to Hurricane Retrofit" (available in Spanish and English), and "Protect Your Home Against Hurricane Damage," are available by calling IBHS toll-free at 1(866) 657-IBHS (4247) or here on our web site, you can reference "Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster? A Homeowner’s Guide to Hurricane Retrofit."
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