Hurricane Preparation Tips for Sarasota Residents

August 1, 2018

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season produced 17 named storms, including Hurricane Irma, which traversed Florida’s west coast. Although the storm didn’t prove as destructive as predicted for residents in Sarasota, Florida, it left plenty of damage and despair behind. Homeowners who proactively prepared were spared greater hardship; those who didn’t faced great challenges during the recovery process. To ensure you stay safe this hurricane season and avoid the worst-case scenario, read on to learn some of our most important hurricane preparation tips for residents in Sarasota.

Plan Your Evacuation Route and Strategy

According to a 2005 University of Florida study, homes built under the 2002 Florida Building Code sustained less damage than those built between 1994 and 2001 under the Standard Building Code. Homes built before 1994 also fared worse than those built after that year. If your home was built after 2002, consider sheltering in place.

If your home isn’t safe to sit in during a storm, you should:

Leave the area and stay with a friend outside the evacuation level.
Move to an evacuation center* if you cannot leave the area.

*You should always consider moving to an evacuation center as a last resort. Don’t go to an evacuation center until officials have announced that it’s open. Remember, you’ll have limited space at an evacuation center and no privacy. You won’t receive bedding, blankets or cots, so it’s imperative that you plan ahead and pack for the worst.

Prepare an Emergency Kit With the Essentials

Every home in Sarasota should have a basic disaster supplies kit that includes these items:

One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
First aid kit and a whistle to signal help
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Flashlight and battery-powered radio with extra batteries
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Cell phones with chargers and backup batteries
Manual can opener for food

Every household should also put together a family emergency plan and practice it before and during every hurricane season. By doing so, you’ll ensure that your family is prepared for the worst of the storm while hoping for the best.

Do you need help preparing your home and its systems for hurricane season? From raising your air conditioner off the ground to repairing your plumbing, we do it all. Contact Custom Air & Plumbing today at (866) 819-0992.

Image provided by flickr