by Emily Crawford

Created on: July 05, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2012

If your home is along the typical path of destruction for one or more hurricanes each year and you haven't yet prepared for hurricane season, do not delay any further. There won't be enough time to properly protect your home and your family if you postpone the project until a hurricane is barreling down on your community.

On May 22, 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted climate conditions pointing to a near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) web site, the first named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Arthur, developed on Friday, May 30. NOAA and FEMA are urging residents in vulnerable areas to be prepared.

FEMA reports that experts who examined houses that were either destroyed by or survived hurricanes have identified four major areas of weakness - roof, windows, doors, and garage doors. To help homeowners avoid hurricane damage, FEMA has developed a checklist and posted it on its web site at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/avoiding_hurrican e_damage.pdf. Checklist highlights include:

• Know Your Risk

According to FEMA, people who live along the nation's coastlines are at greater risk of experiencing the damaging effects of a hurricane. However, those who live further inland also need to be prepared.

• Buy Flood Insurance

If a hurricane causes flooding, flood insurance can speed up your recovery.

• Install Hurricane Straps

Galvanized metal hurricane straps help keep the roof fastened to the walls in high winds.

• Install and Maintain Storm Shutters

Installing storm shutters on windows, sliding glass doors, skylights, and French doors is one of the best ways to protect your home. Manufactured shutters made of wood, steel, or aluminum are available for purchase, or you can make storm shutters from exterior-grade plywood. Local building departments can help you determine the specific type and stregth of the shutters for your home.

• Reinforce Your Garage Door

Hurricane winds can blow in garage doors. When wind enters a garage, it can cause significant structural damage.

Preparing a home for hurricane season requires long range planning. It isn't something that can be done correctly when you're in a mad rush to beat a pending storm's arrival. Although hurricanes can be predicted, they are also known to be wildly unpredictable. Therefore, it is imperative to establish an evacuation plan as well to ensure your family's survival.

Ready.gov is a resource for families who need to plan for an emergency. Specific information about hurricane preparedness can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.h tml. From what to include in an emergency supply kit to how to make a family emergency plan to how to understand the terminology used to identify different types of hurricanes, the site offers valuable information for anyone who lives in a hurricane prone area.

For additional information about preparing for the safety and survival of your family and your property in the event a hurricane threatens your community, visit FEMA at www.fema.gov, Ready America at www.ready.gov, and NOAA at www.noaa.gov.

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