As hurricane season approaches, it’s crucial to be prepared and stay safe during these potentially devastating storms. At Genac, we understand the importance of safeguarding your home and loved ones against the powerful forces of nature. In this blog, we provide essential safety tips to help you navigate the hurricane season with confidence and resilience. From creating an emergency plan to securing your property and knowing what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, these guidelines will ensure you’re ready to face any storm. Let’s dive into the key steps you need to take to stay safe and protected this hurricane season with Genac.

Hurricane Season Frequently Asked Questions

How to be safe during a hurricane?

Staying safe during a hurricane involves careful preparation and taking appropriate actions before, during, and after the storm. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your safety:

Before the Hurricane

1. Know Your Risk

   – Understand if you live in an area prone to hurricanes and familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes.

2. Create an Emergency Plan

   – Plan where you will go if you need to evacuate and how you will get there.

   – Have a communication plan to stay in touch with family members.

3. Prepare an Emergency Kit

   – Include essentials such as water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and important documents.

4. Secure Your Home

   – Install storm shutters or board up windows.

   – Reinforce doors and secure outdoor objects that could become projectiles.

   – Trim trees and shrubs to reduce the risk of branches breaking off.

5. Stay Informed

   – Monitor weather reports from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and heed warnings and instructions from local authorities.

During the Hurricane

1. Stay Indoors

   – Stay inside, away from windows and glass doors.

   – Go to a small, windowless interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.

2. Evacuate if Ordered

   – Follow evacuation orders promptly. Do not wait until the last minute to leave.

   – Take your emergency kit with you.

3. Use Battery-Powered Devices

   – Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to your local station for updates.

   – Use flashlights rather than candles to reduce fire risk.

4. Stay Away from Floodwaters

   – Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

After the Hurricane

1. Stay Informed

   – Continue listening to local news like TVJ News or CVM News for information and instructions.

2. Avoid Hazardous Areas

   – Stay away from downed power lines, debris, and flooded areas.

   – Do not return home until authorities say it is safe.

3. Inspect Your Home

– Check for damage and hazards such as gas leaks, damaged electrical wires, and structural issues.

– Take pictures of damage for insurance claims.

4. Use Generators Safely

– Use generators outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

5. Help Neighbors

– Check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or have special needs.

Additional Tips

– Insurance: Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for hurricanes, including flood insurance.

– Pet Safety: Include pets in your emergency plan and ensure they have identification and a safe place to stay.

– Financial Preparedness: Have cash on hand, as ATMs and credit card machines may not work during power outages.

By taking these steps, you can increase your safety and resilience during a hurricane.

• What do you have to do to stay safe in a hurricane?

Always adhere to safety rules and regulations shared by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and know and understand general hurricane safety like those shared above.

• How do you prepare for a typhoon?

Preparing for a typhoon involves similar steps to preparing for a hurricane, as both are intense tropical storms. To prepare for a typhoon, understand your area’s risk and know evacuation routes. Create an emergency plan with safe places and communication strategies, and build a kit with essentials like water, food, medications, and important documents. Secure your home by installing storm shutters, reinforcing doors, and securing outdoor items. During the typhoon, stay informed with weather updates, follow evacuation orders if given, stay indoors in a safe room, use flashlights instead of candles, and avoid floodwaters. After the typhoon, continue listening to updates, wait for the all-clear before going outside, inspect your home for damage safely, avoid hazardous areas, use generators outdoors, and assist neighbours, especially those with special needs. Additionally, review insurance coverage, keep cash on hand, and include pets in your emergency plan.

• What are the best safety tips for hurricanes?

All hurricane safety tips are vital to protecting you, your loved ones and your property. Make every effort to limit the effects of the hurricane by practising each safety tip.

• How to prepare for a hurricane in Jamaica?

Good emergency preparedness starts with a plan. Make a plan of action for you and your family. Call a family meeting to discuss it, ensuring all members are aware of the plan and their potential role. This plan should be guided by the hurricane safety tips shared earlier.

Suggested reading: How to protect your property from common hazards

How To Prepare Your Home For A Hurricane