Hurricane season is officially upon us in Eastern NC.  For those of you who are new to the area, here are some tips from the Red Cross that I, a longtime resident of this area will share with you in this post.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.

•  Have a plan for where you will evacuate in the event of a hurricane, how you will get there, and where you will stay. Put together a storm preparedness kit to take with you when you leave.
• Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.  
• Mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.

• Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.  You will need basic hurricane supplies on hand, so build a hurricane preparedness kit in advance to be sure the items you need are available.
• Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
• If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you.

Download a hurricane items list here:   Hurricane Preparedness Checklist (redcross.org) 

After the hurricane, be sure it is safe to return to your home.  If you have evacuated, county and city officials will tell you when it is safe to return.  

If there is any damage to your home, contact your insurance company immediately.  Take action to keep water damages from doing more damage to your home.  I recommend contacting a professional IICRC certified restoration company immediately.  During large hurricane events, you may be put on a waiting list.  Here are some things you can do until help arrives:

Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock

Dry up as much standing water as possible

Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items

Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying

Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting

Remove to a safe, dry place any painting, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture

Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors

Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature

Taking these small but important steps will help you feel more in control until a professional arrives.  

Eastern NC is a beautiful place to live, work and grow up.  Hurricanes are part of life in our area, but properties can be fixed.  Make sure to review your coverages with your insurance agent now to make sure that you are fully covered in the event of a storm.  If you have any questions about hurricanes, hurricane damage or hurricane safety, feel free to reach out to us for answers to your questions.  With over 30+ years combined experience in water and mold restoration, construction and inspections, we have the expertise to answer any questions you may have.

– Kelly Honeycutt

Owner, Safe Harbor Home Inspecitons

910-443-0145

kellyh@safeharborenc.com

www.safeharborenc.com