Nothing beats living near the ocean. The salt breeze in the air, the sand between your toes, and the fresh seafood are all unmatched. Not to mention the incredible views. The scenery is truly picturesque, but that doesn’t mean it’s void of drawbacks.
With the potential for catastrophic damage, hurricanes rightfully bring a lot of fear with them. They prove concerning to all who live on the coast. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make your home as hurricane-resilient as possible. Here are a few to help ease your mind so you can get back to enjoying your blissful coastal life.
1. Protect Your Asset
The physical steps you take to prepare your home for hurricanes can greatly prevent damage. But nothing is guaranteed when it comes to natural disasters. In the event a hurricane is stronger and more damaging than originally expected, you want to protect your home. That’s why insurance is so crucial.
As with most homes, you’ll need to have home insurance that covers typical concerns like flooding and fires. However, when you’re opting for coastal living, it’s worth it to find a policy that couples home and hurricane coverage. That’s because hurricane insurance protects you and your property in the event your home sustains wind damage from a storm. It’s not always its own policy, though. Instead, you can simply opt-in for the additional deductible and coverage when acquiring home insurance.
Of course, that comes at a cost. Your monthly bill may be higher to get both insurances, but it should be a no-brainer if your home is on the coast. Tropical storms can turn into serious hurricanes quickly, leaving minimal time to react. If that happens, you want to ensure your property is protected by a policy that adequately covers its value. With that in mind, it helps to thoroughly document your property. Spend a few minutes photographing your home so you have documentation of what you own if insurance claims are required.
Ultimately, you can’t put a price on the peace of mind maximum coverage insurance can provide. You’ll know your home and belongings are covered if the worst happens. With that taken care of, you can focus your energy on ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe.
2. Boost Your Home’s Strength
Your home is built with daily wear and tear in mind. Sure, there are a few chips in the paint and a loose drawer or two, but it’s solid. However, when facing a hurricane, even the best-built home may flounder. That’s why fortifying your house is so important as you prepare for a storm.
Naturally, hurricanes bring large amounts of wind and water with them. So, it’s important to strengthen and secure the outside of your home, starting with your roof. Use metal hurricane clips to help keep it from blowing away or upgrade to a metal roof if it’s within budget.
Then, survey the exterior of your home for any potential weaknesses. If you have a garage, it may be worth investing in a garage door bracing kit. These include clips and other tools that can help your garage door stay in place despite heavy winds. If you’re wanting maximum protection, you can also consider getting a hurricane-proof garage door.
From there, turn your focus to boarding up any external-facing windows or doors. This prevents wind from damaging entry points to your home, which could cause water damage. Lastly, cover your HVAC system to prevent it from losing function. Keeping it up and running as long as possible can buy you time in the event of a power outage. In addition to your home’s structural strength, these steps make it more of a match for any storm that may hit.
3. Remember the Small Stuff
The more big reinforcements you can do, the better. But don’t overlook the impact small steps can have on helping your home stay hurricane-resistant. They add up and can be difference-makers in the event of a storm or severe weather.
With hurricanes come rain and wind, so keep that in mind as you prepare. Bring anything you keep outside — patio furniture, flags, bikes, or decor — indoors to secure it. Make sure your exterior doors and windows are both closed and locked. Clean out your gutters if time allows to prevent debris buildup that can cause your roof to leak.
Another step you can take is to stay informed of the storm’s progress and prepare for the worst. Start by finding a reliable radio feed or checking a reputable weather service for the latest news. Create a hurricane survival kit in case a storm hits unexpectedly or you can’t evaluate.
These seemingly small, but relatively easy, steps protect your home, yourself, and your best interests. In addition to the insurance coverage and reinforcements of your property’s structure, they’re great protection against hurricanes. Given how unpredictable natural disasters can be, that reassurance is well worth the few minutes of work required.
Know You (And Your Home) Are Ready
Natural disasters like hurricanes can be unpredictable. You may know they’re coming, but you never really know how bad the damage will be until they’ve hit. So, it’s important to prepare as best you can to protect your home from any potential storm. That way, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and get back to fully enjoying the coastal life you love.
