It is impossible to predict exactly when a storm will come your way, or how severe it will be. However, you can be prepared. There are many steps you can take to help ensure your safety, as well as that of your family, pets, and property.
Hurricanes
If you live in an area particularly prone to hurricanes, taking precautions is especially important. However, hurricanes can form anywhere, so don’t assume that just because you’re not in the tropics, you’re not at risk. Thinking ahead will, at the very least, give you greater peace of mind.
What to Do Before a Hurricane
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you may want to take the following precau- tions: •Install permanent shutters to protect your windows. Or you can board up windows
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•Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, or floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area.
•Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage. If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
•Listen to the radio or television for information.
•Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instruc- tions to move.
•Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
Wildfires
The threat of wildfires for people living near wildland areas or using recreational facilities in wilderness areas is real. Dry conditions at various times of the year and in various parts of the United States greatly increase the potential for wildfires.
Dry grass or other vegetation will encourage fire to spread quickly. Stucco homes are less vulnerable to fire than homes made of wood. Advance planning and knowing how to protect buildings can lessen the