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With Hurricane Joaquin speeding frighteningly toward the East Coast, those worried about epic rainfall probably don’t have enough time to invest in a serious waterproofing system. But fear not—you still have enough time to batten down the hatches, get yourself to Home Depot, or call your local insurance provider.
You should do all three! After all, hurricane season is up and roaring. Here are some quick, easy, and cheap ways to prepare your home for torrential winds and their oft-cataclysmic effects.
1. Buy flood insurance—it might not be too late!
Normally it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go through, but there are a few exceptions, according to representatives at Geico. If you have a loan—a mortgage, reverse mortgage, or home equity loan—that requires flood insurance and you haven’t gotten it yet, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (which regulates flood insurance) will allow that last-minute shift.
You already have flood insurance, you say? Understand that you’re not stuck with it. You may want to switch to another, comprehensive plan as the storm rolls in, and you can do that—as long as you provide the new company with proof that you were already enrolled.
Barring that, your only hope—and “hope” is really the wrong word—is for retroactive insurance. That happens when the federal government declares a national disaster zone, making way for disaster relief.
2. Get that emergency kit ready
This won’t take long: flashlights, batteries, first-aid kit, water, food, copies of your most important documents, and a decent amount of cold hard cash. And pray that there’s not a run on the bank—because that’s usually a sign that civilization as we know it is coming to an end! Check FEMA’s Ready.gov website for more tips.
3. Give your basement some love
The Washington Post suggests you start with the sump pump. Make sure it’s working, and, if not, “unplug your sump pump and then plug it in again to make sure it’s connected. If you can, do a water test and make sure the pump is properly processing the water,” according to the Post. Meanwhile, clean up that basement floor, especially stray extension cords and valuables.
4. Prepare for power loss
If the power goes out, you want your perishables to stay safe for as long as possible. FEMA suggests turning your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and opening the doors only when absolutely necessary. Also: Charge your cellphone.
5. Got shutters? Shut them!
Close your storm shutters if you have them—that’s also something you can buy at the last minute, as well as plywood boards if you’re looking for something temporary.
Once the storm hits, stay away from the glass.
6. Fill your bathtub with water
Soon before the storm hits, fill up the tub so you have fresh H2O no matter what happens.
7. Clean the gutters and downspouts
Yes, the chore that everyone loves to hate and avoids at all costs cannot be avoided anymore! “If your downspouts empty too close to your foundation,” the Post reports, “buy extenders to keep water farther away from your house.”
8. Pull in everything loose around the yard, from kid toys to patio furniture
If it ain’t tied down, bring it inside or seriously secure it, so it doesn’t get whipped against your home—or your neighbor’s—in the wind.
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