You would have to be living under a rock not to have heard about the up-coming hurricane season forecast. It formally opened today, June first, and is supposed to be a particularly rough year in the Atlantic region. I have already had prospective buyers call to postpone trips until after the season has passed. Many ask how we deal with the potential storms on St. Thomas, here in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We prepare the best way we can. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home as well as yourself for surviving during this season.
Your home:
Cut back trees and limbs that grow close to the house.
Make sure you have storm shutters and they are in good working order.
If you are not going to be on island, shutter your home before leaving or make sure you have contracted with someone reliable to put the shutters up prior to the arrival of a storm.
remove all lawn furniture and decorations from your yard, balconies/porches and decks.
Tune up your generator and make sure the battery is in good working order.
Make sure you have fuel for your generator.
Immediately prior to storms, disconnect your down spouts or plug them.
Remove satellite dishes and secure them.
Have a good supply of contractor garbage bags, duct tape, flashlights, new batteries, candles,toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizers, matches and tarps.
For you and family members:
Have a specific location to weather the storm designated, whether in your home (a room without windows) or another location (a friends home or hotel).
Have an extra supply of medications and a first aid kit available and in a secure location. If there are infants in your home, make sure you have a supply of diapers and formula secured.
Pack a change of clothing and closed in shoes in the secured area for each person.
If you have pets, have a plan for their safety too (carriers or containers, leashes and food in your secured area).
Store drinking water, at least two gallons per person.
Purchase and store non-perishable foods and a can opener in a secure area.
Secure important documents, passports, credit cards, etc in water tight secure area.
Have cash on hand.
Immediately before storm, fill up your car.
I have been told it is also best to have a picnic basket filled with a couple of bottles of good wine, expensive cheeses, chocolates, nuts and other indulgences for the weathering of the storm itself, as they last a while and you might as well be happy while you are going through it. I am not too sure about the wisdom of this last advice. it sounds a little like Nero fiddling while Rome burned. My thought is you might want to limit the wine, although when I questioned this, I was told the more the better. I would love to have folks weigh in on this one on facebook.
Be prepared and be safe!
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