Home Preparations

By The Tampa Tribune

The majority of people can remain safely in their houses during a hurricane.

Unless you live in an evacuation zone, mobile home, an area that easily floods or don't feel your house will withstand the storm, it's best to stay home.

Most modern houses can survive storms except major hurricanes with relatively minor damage.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions, such as covering windows with shutters or plywood, bolting doors and bracing the garage doors.

If sliding glass doors aren't protected by shutters, brace the doors with broom handles or wood on the bottom tracks to keep wind vibration from shaking them loose.

Close blinds and drapes. If there is time, wrap fragile items in blankets or towels, and move furniture away from doors and windows.

Be prepared to wait. Hurricanes can take hours to pass. High, dangerous winds will hit long before the main force of the storm.

And be prepared to be uncomfortable. It's likely electricity will be knocked out, meaning no air conditioning, and the house will be tightly closed.

The safest place in the house is usually a room with no exterior walls. These are often large closets or sometimes bathrooms. This is where you and your family should stay during the storm.

Lacking a room with no exterior walls, you can take shelter in a hallway. You also can take blankets or a mattress for protection.

Or, you can try to stay on the side of the house away from the wind, avoiding windows as much as possible.

In a pinch, a bathtub offers some protection if you cover yourself with plywood or something else.

During the storm, stay away from windows, especially if they are not covered, and exterior doors. Even a minor storm can hurl debris that could shatter a window.

Stay indoors. During the height of the storm, debris will fly, tree limbs will break and downed power lines can be deadly.

Even if the storm seems to have passed, don't go outside. If your home is in the direct path of the storm, the eye might move over your home.

Weather in the eye is deceptively calm, but winds can blast back up to full force quickly when it passes.

Keep a battery-powered radio to monitor the storm.

Turn your refrigerator and freezer up to the coldest setting and expect to lose electricity. Open the door as few times as possible and close it quickly.

If you lose power and it's not too dangerous to move around the house, shut off large appliances, such as the air conditioner and refrigerator, to prevent damage when power resumes.

If a window or door breaks, stay in your safe room. There is little you can do once it happens. Debris, including your possessions, can be thrown by the wind.

Also, if your home is badly damaged, be prepared to quickly evacuate to a neighbor's house.