CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Plants, lawn furniture and even flag poles could become projectiles during a storm.
That's why all unsecured items need to be moved inside or anchored down.
Protect your windows.
Taping windows will not prevent them from breaking and is a very bad idea.
You need to have window covers for every opening.
The easiest and cheapest way is plywood that is at least 5/8 of an inch thick, but 3/4 of an inch is better.
There are a variety of other window covers that are available.
Another option to consider is hurricane windows which basically means you don't have to cover them.
“Hurricane windows afford homeowners the opportunity to protect their homes with their windows without the need for any additional shuttering,” Martin with Window World said. “Which means an impact hurricane window can protect your home from wind-born debris, from rain and other events associated with hurricanes without the need for plywood or shuttering on the outside of the windows.”
Doing this provides security to homeowners.
“You are always protected no matter what,” he said. “So even if you are out of town, if it’s a rental property if you are on vacation you know your home is protected.”
You should also trim large tree limbs around and above your home.
Limbs can damage roofs when broken during a storm.
If mandatory evacuation orders are issued - before you leave turn off your water, gas and electricity.
Clean out your refrigerator.
If the power goes out perishables like milk and meat will spoil before you return home.
It's also a good idea to take pictures of your valuables - especially anything you want insurance to replace - if its damaged in the storm.
To protect smaller valuables put them in plastic water-tight bags.
Same goes with anything irreplaceable like photographs and birth certificates.
If you choose to stay - make sure you have plenty of fresh water for drinking and flushing.
Fill your bathtub and any pots and pans with water.
Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting.
This is going to help keep your food fresher longer should the power go out.
If you do not evacuate - here's some things you need to keep in mind.
If a hurricane ends up hitting your area - stay away from all your home's windows and doors.
Stay in a secure area like a closet or bathroom that is located in the center of your home on the lowest floor.
Or close all the bedroom doors and stay in the hallway.
Cover your heads with a mattress to block any debris during the storm.
“Insurance is something you cannot get at the last minute,” John Metz of the National Weather Service said. “So once a storm develops and it moves into the gulf you cannot update your insurance policy. It’s s important to know the types of policies you need.
And you need to sit down and make an appointment with your insurance agent and go over those things now before the season begins.
Overall, you need three main policies if you live along the Texas coast. You need your fire and theft. You need your wind storm and flood insurance is something I highly recommend, especially if you live in low laying areas near the coast.
And bottom line- it’s good to review your insurance coverage with your agent well before a storm threatens the Coastal Bend.