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BOSTON – Hurricane Floyd is making his way up the eastern seaboard, so act now to avoid losing your home and possessions to his potentially devastating winds and storm surges.
Here are some immediate steps to consider. You can tackle these projects one at a time, but remember, the more you do, the better the chance of your home surviving this or another hurricane.
Move outdoor furniture, garbage cans and anything else that can become flying debris inside. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark.
Trim trees, shrubbery, climbing roses and vines. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall or bump against the house. When trimming, try to create a channel through the foliage to the center of the tree to allow for air flow.
If you have time, install impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings to prevent flying debris from breaking window panes. If high winds threaten immediately, an easy, temporary and effective step is to cover windows with securely fastened plywood storm shutters (minimum of 7/16-inch). Be sure to cover all doors that have glass, too.
Hinges, latches and dead-bolt locks should be strong enough to resist high wind pressures. Double doors such as French doors need special attention because of the stress on the center latch. Make sure door frames are securely anchored to house frames.
For more information about protecting your home and family from hurricanes, check the homeowner’s guide to hurricane retrofit, "Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster?"
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