Hurricane Preparation on the Gulf Coast

If you live on the Gulf Coast, you already know that hurricane season is in full swing. Unfortunately, many homes within our service area in Texas sustained significant damage from Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on August 26 in Rockport, Texas (note: if you need disaster response or water restoration services due to damage from Hurricane Harvey, call us immediately at (800) 218-9556).

Although hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, August through October is the peak of the season. During these months the water temperature of the gulf is at its peak. Combine that with low wind shear and strong wave formation in the Atlantic, and you’ve got a recipe for powerful, damaging hurricanes.

If you were lucky enough not to be affected by Hurricane Harvey, don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Harvey should serve as a sobering reminder that we can never be too prepared for a storm—and sometimes, the best choice is to evacuate.

August-October Hurricane Facts from 1950-2013

• Nine out of the 10 deadliest hurricanes
• 97 percent of Category 5 storms
• 100 percent of the 10 costliest hurricanes in the U.S.
• 79 percent of all named storms
• 88 percent of all hurricanes
• 95 percent of major hurricanes

The devastating hurricanes of Katrina, Andrew, Camille, and now Harvey all occurred in mid to late August while the 1900 Galveston Labor Day storm made landfall on September 8th and claimed an estimated 8,000 lives.

With these sobering facts in mind, now is the time to make the necessary preparations to protect your Gulf Coast home or business from the ravages of a hurricane. Although no amount of preparation will guarantee that your home or business will avoid hurricane damage, you can take measures to lessen your monetary loss and, most importantly, save your life.

Hurricane Preparation Checklist

Follow these basic steps to ensure you and your family are ready when a hurricane strikes your Gulf Coast community:

Assemble a Disaster Relief Kit – Store the following in waterproof, airtight containers: drinking water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, basic tools, local maps, manual can opener, and a battery-operated or hand-crank radio for weather alerts.

Prepare Your Home – If you have enough time before the hurricane makes landfall, take the following steps to reduce damage to your home: secure outdoor items (patio furniture, bicycles, etc.) inside the home or garage; close and shutter all windows and doors (use plywood if you don’t have hurricane shutters); unplug small appliances; and turn your refrigerator and freezer to the highest setting to keep food safe if you lose power.

Know Your Evacuation Route – If government officials issue a mandatory evacuation order, make sure you’re familiar with your route to drive inland to safety. Decide in advance where you want to go. You may also choose to go to an approved shelter in your community. Make plans for your pets, and discuss with your family where you will meet before leaving home.

Hurricane Damage Repair on the Gulf Coast

If your home or business sustains hurricane damage, Action Restoration is here to help. We offer a wide variety of services designed to get your home or business back on track after a hurricane strikes. We specialize in flood and wind damage repair, including water extraction, structural drying, contents restoration, and much more. We also offer 24/7 emergency disaster response services in Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast region.

If you need disaster recovery or water restoration services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.