Choosing to Stay: What to Do If You Don’t Evacuate

When a major storm is on its way, the best way to protect yourself and your family is often simply to follow evacuation orders. Ignoring such orders is never advisable. However, there are many Florida residents who choose to stick it out regardless. Some may feel that their property could be left vulnerable if they leave it unsupervised. Others simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of evacuating. If this sounds like you or someone you know, keep reading for measures you can take to protect yourself before the next hurricane is on its way.

Gather Supplies

While ignoring evacuation orders is never a good idea, it can be especially detrimental for those who do not plan ahead. If you know that you’re unlikely to heed such orders, you should at least make sure you stock up on supplies well ahead of time. This includes, at the very minimum, a three-day supply of food and bottled water for each person and pet in your household, and a first-aid kit. Your supplies should not be bought at the last minute, but rather kept on hand at all times and replenished regularly. For a comprehensive list of things to have stocked away in case of a hurricane, see our post, How To Stock Up For Hurricane Season.

Secure Your Property

Again, do not wait until a hurricane is on its way to start making preparations. If you plan to stay in your home during a major storm, take the opportunity to protect your property while the weather is still favorable. Is your roof secure? Do you have quality storm shutters or impact windows? Do you have a storage area for putting away lawn furniture or decorations? Are your valuables stored in a safe, waterproof place? What will you do if the power is out for an extended period of time? As you can see, the To-Do List for hurricane preparation is a long one. Don’t wait until it’s too late to cross these things off your list.

Be Prepared For the Aftermath

If your home is located on the coast, near a river, or any body of water, be prepared for flooding. Since floodwaters often take time to recede, you may very well be in a dire situation that lasts much longer than the storm itself.

Even if flood water isn’t a problem in your area, fallen trees and other large debris may make it impossible to drive.

In both cases, you may be confined to your house for a while, very likely without power. You’ll need to think about alternate energy sources, such as a generator, fuel, and food and water for more just the time estimated for the storm’s duration.

For tips on how to safely handle hurricane aftermath, see our post, How To Prevent Injury During Hurricane Cleanup.

A Final Word of Caution

Though we’ve already mentioned it, it’s worth repeating again: ignoring evacuation orders is never advisable. Nevertheless, we at Castle care about your safety and well-being. If you choose to stay, please stay safe! If you would like to find out how Castle can help, contact us today for a free estimate.