May 1-May 7: Hurricane Preparedness Week, what you need to know about storm season

Hurricane season officially starts in a few weeks, but while there are no storms right now, it is time to prepare before a hurricane forms.

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To that end, May 1 through May 7 is Hurricane Preparedness Week.

According to a proclamation made on Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration said, “we recommit to improving our Nation’s resilience to hurricanes and to stopping climate change from exacerbating the impact of climate-related catastrophes in the future.”

The White House called 2021 the “third most active hurricane season” and “one of the costliest ever” for the Atlantic basin.

While people can’t prevent a storm, they can take precautions to lessen the financial and personal impact now.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has come up with plans and checklists to help get everything in order.

Determine your risk

Find out your risk for a storm surge, strong winds, tornadoes, rip currents, and flooding and rainfall.

If you live somewhere that floods, see if it is safe to stay in your home.

Develop an evacuation plan

If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, find out ways you can get out of danger. Don’t plan on a single route. Have options. It’s also time to prepare a go bag for you, your family and even your pets.

Gather disaster supplies

Instead of waiting until the items you would need are in short supply, gather water, food, cash and batteries now. Also before a storm hits, make sure your vehicle has gas, or is fully charged, and that you have your medicine and prescriptions filled.

Check insurance

Call your insurance agent, know what your policy covers and make sure you have copies of your documents in case you have to evacuate.

Remember, flooding isn’t covered by homeowners’ and renters’ policies, so you need to have separate coverage for floods.

Strengthen your home

Make sure you trim trees now and have a plan to cover windows and secure doors and secure loose outdoor items. Also, try to move your car to a safe location when needed.

Help neighbors

While you’re getting your house in order, check in on neighbors who may not be able to prepare on their own. Then after the storm, check in on them again and see if they may need help evacuating.

Compile a written plan

Have a written plan ready before a storm hits your area. Include a contact list, with at least one person from outside the area of impact. Also make sure you have all your critical documents together, ready to go with you. Finally, share a copy of the plan with others.

Hurricane names

>>Related: Ida retired as hurricane name by World Meteorological Organization

The World Meteorological Organization’s list of names that will be used this year is as follows:

• Alex
• Bonnie
• Colin
• Danielle
• Earl
• Fiona
• Gaston
• Hermine
• Ian
• Julia
• Karl
• Lisa
• Martin
• Nicole
• Owen
• Paula
• Richard
• Shary
• Tobias
• Virginie
• Walter

They are recycled every six years unless a storm is so deadly or costly that the name used is retired.

Hurricanes: What you need to know A hurricane is a strong tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean or northeastern Pacific Ocean. (NCD)

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