The 2018 hurricane season is expected to be more active than usual according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The season begins June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30. This year, there is a 70 percent chance that 10-16 named storms will occur. Of those, five to nine storms could achieve hurricane strength and one to four of them could develop into major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 miles per hour.
Given how intense last year’s hurricane season was, it’s more important than ever to be ready, according to Gerry Bell, a hurricane climate specialist and research meteorologist at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.
“We know certain areas have been compromised from last year’s storms,” Bell stated, “and that makes hurricane preparedness even more important this year.”
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
• Know Where to Go. Don’t wait till a hurricane develops to know your evacuation route. Contact your local emergency management agency now to find a route in the event of a hurricane.
• Prepare a “Go Bag.” This is what you’ll take with you when you evacuate. According to Ready.gov, it should contain a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of all your important documents (including insurance information and financial records).
• Have a Disaster Supply Kit. In the case that evacuation is not possible or recommended, you should be prepared with supplies to survive for several days without power. Here’s what you’ll need in your kit.
• Make a Plan With Your Family. Sitting down with you family and having a plan in place for all different types of situation is easy with the Ready.gov checklist!
• Prepare your Home. Remove or repair anything that could damage your home in strong winds, including loose gutters and dead tree limbs.
• Have a Power Back-Up. Buy and know how to use a portable generator.
• Consider Building a Safe Room. Built to FEMA standards, such a room provides “near absolute” protection in the event of a hurricane.
About StorageMart
Last year, StorageMart partnered with the American Red Cross to raise $50,000 in disaster relief funding. The initiative was an extension of “Store It Forward,” a charitable giving program created by StorageMart to give back to the many communities it calls home throughout North America and the United Kingdom.