What's it like during a Hurricane?

What's it like during a Hurricane?

As a REALTOR® in a coastal area, I am often asked many questions about Hurricane Season.  When is Hurricane Season?  How should we prepare?  Are there additional insurance costs associated with living in a Hurricane area? Where are the hurricane shelters?  Can I take my pets to an emergency shelter with me?  How long do the storms last?  

When moving to a coastal area for the first time, these are all good & important questions.  As a storm phobic, I typically do not stick around for the storms.  I pack up my kitties in their kennels and put the dog on a leash and my family and I head to the Apex, NC area to a Pet Friendly Hotel  (It's also a great opportunity to hang with Craig Rutman  & Nevin Williams).  

Most tropical storms bring several inches of rain in a very short time.  This can cause roads to flood and water levels to rise.  The amount of flooding depends a lot on the Tide Chart. If a storm hits at high tide, obviously, storm surge & flooding will be more severe.  Flood insurance is only required in certain Federally-Designated Flood Plains, but for just a few hundred dollars a year.... I think it is worth it for every property owner to obtain flood insurance.  If you are unsure of your Flood Plain, you can contact your insurance company or your County & Town Offices. 

Lots and lots of wind is also to be expected.  Obviously, the wind speeds and gusts will depend on the catagory of the storm.  Imagine 100 mph winds for any length of time, and you will know how dangerous a storm can be.  It is so important to pay attention to Hurricane watches & warnings (although, I recommend not watching the Weather Channel as they dramatize the situation and can scare you to death).  If a tropical storm or hurricane has been predicted to hit your area, you will need to bring in all of your patio/deck furniture along with anything else that could potentially become flying debris.  This includes potted plants, windchimes, etc. Another danger with high winds along with flooding rains, is that trees are more likely to uproot and fall.... hopefully not on your house, but it is a possibility if you have tall Pines and other large trees on your property!

Power outages can be very aggravating and cause more damage than you may think.  My family tries to limit the amount of food in our Refrigerator and freezer during hurricane season.  We also try to increase the amount of non-perishable food in our pantry.  A generator is a great option for folks living on the coast, and come in all shapes and sizes.  We always make sure we keep a nice supply of charcoal in the summer too, so that if we do lose power, we can enjoy a cookout with what we do have in the freezer. Often times, many folks around the neighborhood will get together for a "cook everything before it spoils" party and help each other clean up yards or help repair any damage like downed fences, trees, decks, etc.  Nothing brings a community together faster than a storm.

The most important thing to remember is to stay informed, have a plan, be prepared and evacuate if ordered to.  Keep your family, your pets and yourself safe.  My favorite site for staying informed about Hurricanes and Tropical Storms is The National Hurricane Center and my favorite Hurricane Tracking Site is US Navy.  

Oh, and whatever you do during a storm.... PLEASE stay out of the ocean and do not drive on flooded streets!