I saw a poll this morning on hurricane preparedness. It basically asked if folks had purchased their supplies yet (season starts June 1st). The results – 16% are already prepared.
If you have ever lived here in Florida and a hurricane threatened the area you know what it is like to go to the local Publix or Wal-Mart for food and water or to Lowes or Home Depot for plywood to pick up supplies. Chaos may be a light description.
So as June approaches, do yourself a favor and get ready now.
There are plenty of resources available with information on hurricane supplies and preparation. Here are a few to get you started.
National Hurricane Center
10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For A Hurricane
Brevard County Emergency Management Center
Hurricanes are not fun and can be dangerous. But, as I was told by a former client about moving to Florida from Connecticut,…”You can run or hide from a hurricane but the snow and cold just stays!”
Be prepared. Stay safe.
Gary L. Waters PLLC, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region.
Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community such as Heritage Isle, a golf course community such as Baytree National Golf Links or water front, give me a call!
Read my blog Florida Homes for Sale, Moving to Brevard County, Florida, and Brevard County Florida Real Estate Information.
Gary,
That time of year is almost here. I was surprised at the numbers they are predicting this year.
In the past, I've sort of stayed prepared at all times. Just keep water, canned goods and some snacks in the store room all the time. But with the economy being the way it is, keeping extras all the time hasn't been as easy. But we do still keep a lot of canned goods, we have a generator, and we have a swimming pool, so water isn't a major problem.
But the real issue is, being born here, 2004 is the only time I've ever experienced a hurricane that actually concerned me. And even then, the worst problem we had was no electricity for less than 24 hours. Our generator took care of that. So it's kind of hard to get me to be too concerned. Daytona Beach has a natural, built-in protection, by the angle of the jet stream, and the shape of the coastline. The only reason 2004 was such a huge disaster in so many ways was because it was the first time we saw a hurricane of such magnitude come up the center of the state, instead of from the ocean.
All that being said, it's still a good idea to be prepared, and take precautions. We DO board up our windows!
Rickard - I was surprised as well. I hope they are wrong!
Lisa - Being a native myself I stay pretty much prepared. I remember Floyd was the only one that really had me on edge. As for boarding up - I usually do it but sometimes I defy the odds and just risk it.
Gary, ditto what Lisa said. We lived in Orlando in August 2004 and moved to Jacksonville September 2004. We were without power for over a week in August and did not have a generator or a swimming pool. We adopted a baby squirrel and named him Charlie after the hurricane that left him homeless. We released him after we moved to Jacksonville and he would come back to visit on occasion. We boarded up after Charlie after seeing all the trees down on our street, including one in our back yard.
I just listed a house where the owner had it treated with a film that can withstand an object propelled at 120 mph. It will break the glass but it won't shatter. It's an interesting product made by VISTA®.
One thing I would like to say about hurricanes is that the media puts the damage at the ocean on the news and it really scares people. In Central Florida there were a lot of blue tarps for awhile due to the three-tab shingles that blew off, but all in all our houses - even the older ones - withstood the winds and rain very well. It would be nice if they would go down a normal street where you could see branches and trees down but houses okay.
Sharon - So true about the beach damage getting all the PR. I am thinking he only folks who like hurricanes are TV weather types and roofers!
Gary I heard it could be a busy season but I hope this forecast will be incorrect. I remember having to deal with these yearly when I was a child. I hope everyone take hurricane preparedness seriously.
I just hope Mother and Father Nature hold off with those hurricanes until BP gets the oil mess cleaned up.