Hurricane Helpers
As I write this, Hurricane Gustav is wrapping up its tantrum along Louisiana’s coast and Hanna’s gearing up to wallop Florida and the Carolinas. Ike, I’m told, isn’t too far behind her, though we don’t know where he’ll strike. If you live in a hurricane zone, here are some strategies to strengthen your home, prepare your family and increase your chances of coming through a storm with less — if any — damage.
NEW CONSTRUCTION RESOURCE
If you’re planning on building a new home, consider reinforced concrete construction. This building method is extremely energy-efficient, as well as being able to withstand wind and earthquake forces. An excellent book on the topic is PreFabulous by Sheri Koones. In its well-illustrated pages, Koones not only shows how great prefab homes can look, but describes the different options, including concrete construction, in depth, with a resource section at the end. The National Association of Home Builders’ Concrete Home Building Council is another great resource.
REMODELING RESOURCES
Windows
If you’re planning to remodel your home, consider impact-resistant glass for doors and windows. According to one of my sources, Roger Hutson, a trainer for Home Depot in Tampa, Fl., “Windows are now available to withstand the wind pressures of hurricane force winds. With the addition of IMPACT glass, the windows will protect the home from flying debris without the added time and effort needed to install shutters.” New windows can also improve your home’s energy-efficiency, if you opt for those with low-emissivity (or low-e) glass.
Garage Doors
Garage doors, especially wide double doors and older doors, are another vulnerable point in a storm. Home Depot, (and likely other sources, as well), carry new hurricane-approved garage door systems that are worth considering.
Entry Doors
Entry doors – especially those handsome double door sets – are also vulnerability points. There are new door systems on the market that are Florida-approved and worth considering for your home’s safety. “Doors older than five years may not be designed or installed to withstand the forces of a hurricane,” Hutson says.
An interim step could be changing your in-swing double door set to out-swing, as this gives an extra measure of protection in a major wind storm, according to the millworks trainer.
GENERATORS
Many hurricane zone residents purchase generators to power their homes or businesses during an electrical outage. Here is some safety advice on their use from the American Red Cross. If you’re the owner of a generator, or considering purchasing one, please read this short page of information first! Your family’s or employees’ lives may depend on it!
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_565_,00.html
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
I’m not going to reinvent the wheel. Smarter folks who have lived here longer than I have put together top-notch hurricane preparedness lists. Here’s a short one for your consideration from our local newspaper, The Tampa Tribune:
http://hurricane.weathercenter.com/MGBGS2Y0J8E.html
The Trib also covered some intriguing new emergency “gadgets” you might want to consider:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/16/160012/na-new-wave-of-gadgets-comes-with-hurricane-season/
One of the most important ways you can prepare yourself and your family is by having an Emergency Plan prepared. The Red Cross has put together a Podcast on how to do this.
http://americanredcrosspodcast.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/brcr2plan.mp3
I wish everyone reading this, and your families, friends and neighbors a safe Hurricane Season.
JTG
Tampa, Florida
