IBHS Offers Tips to Protect Florida's Homes from Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Contact: Wendy Fontaine
September 9, 2001
Tampa, FL – As Tropical Storm Gabrielle spins in the Gulf, threatening Florida’s west coast, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) encourages residents to act now to protect their homes from wind, rain and storm surges.
If Tropical Storm Gabrielle strengthens into a category 1 hurricane, expect some damage to trees, shrubs, and unanchored mobile homes. Flooding and storm surge may be the storm’s biggest threat, so obey emergency officials if evacuation orders are given. While there is time, take these crucial steps to increase your home’s protection:
Clean your yard. Remove anything that will become flying or floating debris, including lawn furniture, garbage cans, dead limbs and broken fencing.
Protect your openings. If you do not have impact resistant windows and doors, use the materials you’ve prepared as part of your hurricane plan (e.g. shutters, 7/16” thick plywood panels, garage door bracing).
“Batten down the hatches”. Be sure to close and lock all windows, doors, skylights and vents in your home to prevent water intrusion.
Homeowners can also reference the IBHS booklets, Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster? A Homeowner’s Guide to Hurricane Retrofit (available in Spanish and English), and Protect Your Home Against Hurricane Damage. This information can be viewed and downloaded from www.disastersafety.org or www.ibhs.org. For more information call IBHS toll-free at 1(866) 657-IBHS (4247).
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