by Jason Hernandez

Created on: December 20, 2008   Last Updated: December 24, 2008

As more people reside along the US Atlantic seaboard, each hurricane season seems to cause more damage. This is not because hurricanes are more severe than in years past, but because there are so many more structures available to be damaged. It is important to be prepared in advance for hurricane season. Having lived through several hurricanes, I can offer these useful safety tips.

First, let me clarify one thing. Although most of the "big news" hurricanes lately have been along the Gulf Coast and in the Southeast, hurricane country extends along the entire Atlantic seaboard. My first three hurricanes were all in Rhode Island.

The first steps come before a home is purchased. As the realtors put it, the three most important considerations are, "location, location, location." A house on the beach may seem a pleasant thing; but beaches are dynamic, with sand constantly shifting from place to place. There is a reason dune grasses are protected by law! If you purchase a home on the beach, you must understand that this is inherently riskier than an inland location, and may be more difficult to insure. A storm surge could wash the sand right out from under your house.

As hurricane season approaches, make sure the exterior structures of your home are in good repair. The first hurricane I was old enough to remember blew pieces of siding off our house. Also check your trees for dead or diseased branches. These can break off in the high winds and cause injury or damage to people or property below, or take down power lines; they should be removed before hurricane season begins. If power lines are nearby, it is safer to call in a professional arborist to do this.

Even if you do not expect to evacuate, know your evacuation routes. During hurricane season, pay attention to your local weather reports. With modern meteorology, there is no reason to be caught by surprize by a hurricane; although the exact route is unpredictable, you can have a general idea. If a hurricane watch or warning is issued for your area, do not delay - go through your yard and pick up everything not firmly attached to the ground, and bring it indoors. If you left a slab of plywood lying around, and it gets blown through your living room window, that is your fault for not picking it up. The first hurricane I was old enough to remember, my parents put strips of tape on our bay window and sliding glass doors, to reinforce them against high winds, and to reduce the flying glass if they should be broken by windblown

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