How to prepare a Charleston area new home for a hurricane.

Lowcountry residents are well aware June 1st thru November 30th marks the official hurricane season.  However, if you are new or considering relocating to the Charleston, SC area becoming aware of what the Hurricane season means it is not something to be fearful of provided you prepare.  It’s a necessity for Lowcountry residents to take several moments to consider hurricane preparedness as it is imperative to have a plan in place to protect yourself and your investments: are your family and home hurricane ready?
 
When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Communications, transportation, utilities, and other essential services could be disrupted by disasters, forcing you to rely initially on your own resources for food, water, first aid, transportation, and shelter. Your key to surviving any emergency is to be prepared. You can lessen an emergency’s impact by knowing what to do before, during, and after one occurs.

As the National Hurricane Center emphasizes, there are a multitude of natural threats that are introduced by a hurricane: heavy rainfall and flooding, high winds, tornadoes, storm surge and dangerous rip currents. When these factors are in play, it is important to already have a plan in place to fall back on. Websites such as www.ready.gov can help you make sure you’re covering the basics. Prior to a storm, know where your evacuation zone is, develop a communication strategy with your family and stock a pre-ready supply of emergency items (72 hours’ worth of items such as food, water, batteries). Know an accessible route to higher ground.
 
Protecting your home is another big factor. Most of the Charleston area is right at sea-level with some areas even dipping below. Know the elevation of your property and home and make sure you have the necessary insurance to cover any flood damage. Analyze any nearby water sources (lakes, marshes, etc.) that could contribute to potential flooding. When it comes to physically protecting your home, be sure to address the following*:
 

• Cover your homes windows. Have storm shutters or appropriately sized plywood at the ready.
• Minimize roof damage by installing straps or clips that secure the roof to the frame of the home.
• Keep landscaping and trees trimmed away from your home.
• Secure and clean rain gutters and downspouts.
• Minimize potential wind damage by reinforcing garage doors.
• Bring in all unsecured items from outdoors (patio furniture, grills, yard ornaments, garbage cans).
• Consider the installation of an emergency generator.

 
Thankfully, it is not uncommon in the Charleston market for new home builders to have addressed some of these items in the initial construction of your home… Ask your builder if they offer any features or structural reinforcement upgrades like hurricane shutters that you may like to consider including in the construction of your home.  One of the great benefits of new construction is that safety is a big consideration… your new home likely has some built-in safety features, literally from the foundation up, that can help your family and your investment safely weather the storm.

 

Be Informed

Although our Lowcountry community could be vulnerable to a variety of hazards, there are certain basic actions you can take now to help you in any emergency. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offers the following guidelines for personal and family emergency preparedness for a variety of natural and man-made disasters and emergencies, such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, or fire. These checklists are not complete, but they will help you get started. You can call your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Chapter to ask the following:
 

• What disasters could occur in your area?
• How should you prepare for each disaster?
• How would you be warned of an emergency?
• What are your community’s evacuation routes?
• Is there special assistance for elderly or disabled persons?
• Ask your workplace about emergency plans. Additionally, you should:
• Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or day care center.
• Take a basic first aid & CPR Class – professional medical assistance may not be immediately available.
• Listen or log onto local radio, TV and/or web sites for forecasts and emergency instructions. Post the dial/channel/website listings of these stations or sites for easy access.
• Post all emergency plans/phone numbers in a prominent place.
• Keep phone lines open to notify local authorities of fires, flash floods, tornado sightings, injuries, or damage. Do not use the telephone to obtain emergency information.

 
 

Take Fire Safety Precautions

 

• Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month. Change batteries at least once a year.
• Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
• Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
• Consider installing home sprinklers.
• Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire.
• Remember to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.
• Teach never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out.

Here’s a more comprehensive action list on how to minimize household hazards, creating an emergency plan, developing an escape plan, preparing to evacuate, organizing a disaster supply kit, setting up an emergency car kit and what to do after the emergency.

*list compiled from www.ready.gov/hurricanes
 

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Thank you for reading and sharing our articles from The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide. Our business is to know Charleston, SC's new home construction, home builders, neighborhoods, and homes so we may assist you as you take your new construction home journey. Please take the time to explore our site. The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide is considered the best and most reliable ‘local’ resource to new home construction, builders, neighborhoods, and homes throughout the Lowcountry since 2004.

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