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Having lived through the craziness of the 2005 hurricane season in South Florida, we've become very adept at preparing for a hurricane. Each year, prior to each hurricane we see the long lines at the grocery and home improvement stores. The people rushing to get those last minute supplies because they weren't prepared ahead of time for what was coming. We've learned the hard way that getting prepared before a threat is much easier than waiting until the last minute.

Prior to the start of each hurricane season, make sure you have all your homeowner's insurance information at hand and up to date. Take pictures of your property yearly. A camera with a date stamp, or digital photos with date stamps are the best. Make sure you keep the updated photos with your insurance information. If you have damage, you'll need it all. Place this information in a waterproof box or bag and keep it, along with other important documents, in an easily accessible location if you have to evacuate.

In addition to the regular supplies that you need like batteries, food, water, and prescription medications, get cash before the threat of a storm hits. If the power goes out the ATM's won't work. Keep your vehicle filled with gas and safely store additional full gas cans at your residence to run a generator, if you have one, and fill your gas tank should you find you have to evacuate. If you don't have gas stashed away, you might find yourself sitting in lines for hours after a storm only to find out that the station is rationing gas, if they're pumping at all. Extra gas is also handy if you have a neighbor with a generator and you don't have one. Offer them fuel in exchange for running that extension cord over to your house to keep the refrigerator running.

Ok, you're prepared and ready for the storm. You watch the news intently and try to remember if you've forgotten anything you might need. This is a good time to go over your list one last time. Batten down the hatches and get ready to ride out the storm, unless of course you have to evacuate your area. If you have to evacuate your home, turn off all the electrical breakers in the house prior to leaving. If there's no power coming to your home there is less likelihood that the home could catch fire from a power surge. Grab your important documents and hit the road. You won't be the only one out there so packing a cooler with water and food is a necessity.

Once the storm has cleared, the very first thing you need to do is check for damage.

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