Should You Stay or Should You Go?

Published September 6, 2017 | By Dorien

A Visual Hurricane Prep Guide

With Hurricane Irma barreling down on the Caribbean and headed for Florida, people in the Carolinas are faced with this question:

Should I stay or should I go?

Instead of asking that question, take action and prepare now, regardless whether you stay or go evacuate!

Prepping for a hurricane should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider.

Helpful Hurricane Facebook Post From Those with Hurricane Experience

In the last few days, we’ve seen this post do the rounds on Facebook – especially among our Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand and Florida friends.

The advice on how to prepare for a hurricane is solid. Check out these tips.

Here are some Hurricane Prep Tips:

1. Start running your ice makers now and bagging the ice in freezer bags. Fill as much space in between your freezer items as you can.
2. Freeze regular tap water for pets, cleaning or drinking in tupperware-type containers. REMEMBER to leave a small bit of space between the top of the water & the lids so the ice expands but doesn’t crack the container.
3. Start using up your perishables to make more room for ice in the freezer.
4. Fill up all vehicles & check tires & oil.
5. Cash from ATM, at least enough to get you through tolls and gas out of town. Call your bank if you plan on leaving the state so they don’t freeze your card for out-of-area “suspicious” transactions.
6. All important docs screenshot & send to your email. Take originals in sealed bags or plastic bins.
7. Pet & livestock food & supplies. Vet records in case you need to shelter then at a storm-safe facility.
8. Evacuation plans and share with family members so they know where you’re headed.
9. Consider putting heirlooms & photos in plastic bins in a high place, second floor, or safe room if you don’t plan on taking them with you.
10. SECURE ALL FIREARMS & AMMUNITION PROPERLY.
11. Old rags & beach towels on your windowsills. Even with the best windows & shutters, water seeping from the wind pressure happens. A few damp towels is better than soaked drywall or floors!
12. Shutter windows and doors and bring everything outside into your garage or house NOW. Do not wait until the day before. Better to get done early and relax than wait until its too late, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE MANDATORY PERSONNEL (hospital employee or first responder).
13. If you don’t already have your hurricane supplies, you might want to get them now! Before the shelves get empty!

We think this is great advice and it certainly is a great place to start prepping.

However, the question remains – “should we stay or should we go?” and only YOU can answer that! While you watch the weather station, the news stations and make your own plan, you might need a bit more guidance on how to properly prepare than that Facebook post alone.

We’ve collected several more hurricane prep tips and created this handy, shareable infographic.

visual hurricane prep guide