Hurricane season. Storm panels. How to best protect ourselves.

[graciegirl]

The Daily Sun reported a Hurricane expo recently held in TV. We are not there right now and wonder what if anything we all can do to make our homes safer as the Hurricane season begins in a few days.

We really wanted to buy a stucco and block house, having taken to heart the story of "The Three Little Pigs", however the house in the location we fell in love with wasn't stucco.

We had visited friends who live in Sarasota and they have all kinds of Hurricane equipment to cover their windows and sliding doors.

Never having seen Hurricane damage close up, I imagine that the damage is not only caused by the extreme whirling winds but by the debris thrown about by them too.

I know we are inland at TV.

This is a question for all of you. How will you protect your property from this threat?

I am not awfully worried about this, should I be? Are you?

[redwitch]

I'm not really overly concerned. I do know that if there is a hurricane warning for TV, I plan to bring as much as possible into the house. I don't like the idea of a chair or an ashtray become a projectile. I'll also be running to my friends' and clients' homes to do the same.

I'm so used to having an emergency kit because of California quakes that that isn't even an issue with me. It is something I recommend that everyone have, even if you're a snowbird or an intermittant homeowner here. You never can tell when you'll be down and what you might need.

[islandgal]

Red - I agree with you. Having lived on Hilton Head Island for 17 years, one of the first things I packed when moving to TV was my emergency kit. Luckily only had to evacuate 3 times and there was no devastating damage other than flooding, temporary loss of utilities and water.
Only good thing is you have a warning with hurricanes, unlike our tornado here last year!!!!

graciegirl, Here is an excellent emergency kit list.
If you do have to evacuate, make a hotel reservation ASAP wherever you are headed.
I have heard from natives there is no need to worry, but who knows............

http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/kit-print.html

[JohnN]

I've just bought in TV, not yet closed. It's frame and took a lot of thought before that was ok.

I plan to put the shatterproof 3M film on the windows,
there's also a little device called a "windtripper" that claims to cut the wind impact on the roof, check out the web video on it.

and an emergency kit, and if too severe, I'll head out of town in advance.

[samhass]

Gracie, When the tornadoes hit Mallory, the concrete block homes held up much better than the wooden homes. Tornadic activity seems to be the worst part of the hurricane season in central Florida. I guess there were always this many tornadoes in the US, but it sure seems they are more prevalent now. It could be that our news sources have just become much more numerous. Anyway, here's hoping we have a calm season here in
TV and in the rest of Florida. I hope, I hope, I hope!

PS- I'm not knocking stick homes...just stating the way it was.




The Daily Sun reported a Hurricane expo recently held in TV. We are not there right now and wonder what if anything we all can do to make our homes safer as the Hurricane season begins in a few days.

We really wanted to buy a stucco and block house, having taken to heart the story of "The Three Little Pigs", however the house in the location we fell in love with wasn't stucco.

We had visited friends who live in Sarasota and they have all kinds of Hurricane equipment to cover their windows and sliding doors.

Never having seen Hurricane damage close up, I imagine that the damage is not only caused by the extreme whirling winds but by the debris thrown about by them too.

I know we are inland at TV.

This is a question for all of you. How will you protect your property from this threat?

I am not awfully worried about this, should I be? Are you?

[chelsea24]

We couldn't make the expo and maybe this was posted before and I missed it, but what exactly does an "Emergency Kit" consist of? :dontknow:

[Donna]

We couldn't make the expo and maybe this was posted before and I missed it, but what exactly does an "Emergency Kit" consist of? :dontknow:


I am interested too...

[swrinfla]

graciegirl:

My friends up north thought I was crazy to move to Florida, then they knew I was crazy when I bought here a couple/three days after Hurricane Frances came through the state in September 2004!

Here are some observations ("my humble opinions" perhaps) that may ease your mind.

Our inland location does serve to reduce the wind power. Once a hurricane hits land, its destructive force decreases substantially almost at once. In Frances, there were some homes in TV with a few shingles blown away, nothing major. There were a number of trees blown down, too, but I'd have to say that the majority of them were newly planted palms. There was some damage in the grove of live oaks just north of Lake Miona Rec Center on Buena Vista Blvd, but no more than one might have expected.

I built a block house, mostly because I knew about the potential for wind damage. But, I also felt it would be be quieter and safer, in general. That said, I suspect that only those who were really in the path of our Ground Hog Day tornado suffered damage nearly as bad as the frame homes. If you can swing it, I'd certainly go with CBS, but you must realize that the roof is going to be pretty much the same no matter what the house is built of.

My brother lives nearby on an airpark in southern Marion County. After Frances, he was without power for a whole week. I was staying that week in a courtyard villa in Mulberry Grove and never had even a flicker of power loss. The absence of above ground power lines in TV is a huge plus, as far as I'm concerned. True, power can sometimes be lost because some power station or other facility is hit, but it's rare. In my three plus years here, I think the power's been lost maybe ten minutes total!

Some of my neighbors have installed a device that helps prevent the garage door from blowing in or out. But, no one, so far as I know has bothered with hurricane shutters or other such protection.

Bottom line, from my point of view: don't fret the small stuuf! ;D

SWR

[Fourpar]

We are moving to TV so we don't have to get out of town every time a hurricane threatens. We currently live in coastal town (Destin), and the last couple of years have been okay. But before that it seemed like we were run out of town 2 -3 times a year. The first time is kind of an adventure, after that it gets tedious.

Looking forward to TV, where we don't anticipate leaving for hurricanes. By the time they get that far inland, they lose a lot of punch. :)

[islandgal]

Chel and Donna:

This was posted in an earlier reply to graciegirl.

Emergency kit:

http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/kit-print.html

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi, here is a list of things I have received from somewhere. Hope this helps you. Put all of the items in the place where you will stay if you have to go to a safe place.

Some of the items on this list will not pertain to us, but I never took them off the list. Another suggestion was to take a lap top into the room where you are and have the battery fully charged.

Hopefully this list helps.

HB

Prior To The Storm

* Listen for weather updates on local
radio/television stations. Do not pay attention to
rumors.
* Organize your emergency supplies. Prepare
emergency water storage by sterilizing the bathtub,
jugs, bottles, cooking utensils and containers. Scrub
them thoroughly, sponge with bleach, rinse and let
dry; fill with water.
* Prepare emergency water supply. Figure one
gallon of drinking water per person per day.
* Clear your yard of loose objects such as
bicycles, lawn furniture and trash cans.
* Anchor objects (no matter how heavy or large)
that cannot be moved inside.
* Secure your boat. Lash it to your trailer
securely, let the air out of the trailer tires and
secure the trailer to something sturdy in the ground.
If you keep your boat in a marina, check your
contract; some require that you move it when a
hurricane watch is issued. You are responsible for
your boat.
* Board windows and doors. Taping windows will not
prevent them from breaking, but may reduce the risk of
flying glass.
* Close all windows.
* Do not drain your pool completely; lower water
level 6" to 12" to accommodate heavy rains. Add extra
chlorine to prevent contamination. Turn off
electricity to your pool equipment and cover pool pump
if exposed.
* Store documents and valuables in waterproof
containers and secure in the highest possible spot.
* Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the
coldest setting, opening only when absolutely
necessary. Freeze water in plastic jugs and containers
and use them to fill empty spaces between refrigerator
contents to keep food cool.

Nonperishable Foods To Have At Home

* Special dietary foods
* Peanut butter and jelly
* Powdered or shelf pack milk
* Bottled water
* Canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups,
puddings, milk
* Dried fruit
* Powdered or individually packaged drinks
* Instant coffee and tea
* Crackers, cereals, cookies, snacks
* Condiments
* Pet Food

Have sufficient amounts on hand to last your family
two weeks.



Emergency Supplies To Have At Home

* Two-week supply of medicines, prescriptions
* First aid supplies
* Portable radio/flashlights and clock with extra
batteries
* Infant necessities (baby food, formula,
disposable diapers)
* Extra clothing, eyeglasses, etc.
* Toiletries
* Manual can opener
* Ice chest and ice
* Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags
* Quiet games, books, playing cards
* Tools, nails, duct tape
* Important papers (valid ID)
* Plenty of cash (ATM's may not work)
* Fire extinguisher
* Mosquito repellent
* Disposable plates, glasses and utensils
* Disposable washcloths and paper towels
* Bleach (without lemon or any additives)
* Trash bags
* Water storage containers
* Fuel can and fuel, sterno
* Portable, battery-powered lanterns

[chelsea24]

:bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: Thanks for the info HB and Wiwi. Great help.

[mac9divot]

My house in Sabal Chase was hit by the 02/07 tornado. It is vinyl-sided. We sustained about $40k worth of damage. The house 5 doors away was block and stucco and was almost totally destroyed. It was razed and rebuilt. I'm saying this to let you know that I don't believe that it matters if your house is vinyl sided or stucco when it comes to these disasters. Your location in proximity to the path of the storm is what really matters.

[bestmickey]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a good list (30 Tips for Emergency Preparedness) that you can find here: http://www.dhs.gov/xcitizens/editorial_0711.shtm

The info provided is applicable to natural disasters as well as other types of disasters.

[Russ_Boston]

Mac9 - Thanks for this info. First the most important issue is that everyone in TV came out alive and for the most part unharmed physically. The fact that a reclassified F3 tornado came directly through TV with no loss of life is a testament to the entire construction quality of the homes IMHO. Frame or CBS is a style choice more than anything in my opinion. Personally CBS says Florida more to me.

All good tips on emergency preparedness.

[redwitch]

Most of the stores that sell hurricane equipment (Home Depot, Lowe's, Publix, etc.) have free brochures of what is needed and basics of what to do in a hurricane.

Barring a real freak, I believe a hurricane would lose a lot of force before hitting us. It might have some strong winds but nothing like the winds on the coast. Our bigger danger is another tornado and I really don't think there's all that much we can do to protect ourselves against one except pray it doesn't touch ground, especially since we can't build anything underground.

[graciegirl]

Most of the stores that sell hurricane equipment (Home Depot, Lowe's, Publix, etc.) have free brochures of what is needed and basics of what to do in a hurricane.

Barring a real freak, I believe a hurricane would lose a lot of force before hitting us. It might have some strong winds but nothing like the winds on the coast. Our bigger danger is another tornado and I really don't think there's all that much we can do to protect ourselves against one except pray it doesn't touch ground, especially since we can't build anything underground.


I absolutely agree, Redwitch. And with you too Russ.

It is incredible that there is no greater loss of life with these storms. I have never been in one. A tornado tore apart houses as close as two houses from us years ago. The side was gone from that house and the nursery inside looked untouched, and no one was harmed.

I dislike leaving our house with a basement to come to Paradise, but hey, everything has a price or risk and what's the use of living if it isn't fun and uplifting and interesting and just a little bit on the edge?

If we live in constant fear, it destroys any chance of ever being happy.

My sermon for this Sunday.

Wake up in the back row.

GracieGirl

[JohnN]

now there is some window film made by 3M and others which helps to save energy and to "shatterproof" the glass, it won't stop bullets, but it should help