HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Hurricane Season Is from June 1 thru Nov. 30

Carla. Beulah. Celia. Amelia. Allen. Bret. Harvey. Hanna. These are tropical storms and hurricanes that have impacted the Corpus Christi area over the decades. According to hurricanecity.com, the city is statistically expected to be impacted by another hurricane by the end of 2024. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 of every year. 

Of course, no one knows when the next storm will upend the lives of thousands, even millions, of people along the Texas coast. Flash flooding, thunderstorms, tropical depressions, and tropical storms also damage homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

At Lighthouse Roofing, we believe in taking care of our neighbors in times of disaster. 

Corpus Christi: Prepare for Dangerous Weather Now

Don’t wait for a stormy forecast to take steps to keep yourself and your family safe.

Establish an evacuation plan. Find out where your closest emergency shelters are located. Because some routes can be blocked or closed, map out multiple ways to reach the shelters. Work out in advance how and where you will meet up with family members if you are separated when you need to evacuate. If you have pets, plan for them as well. Some shelters will allow pets.

Register special needs with local agencies. The elderly, disabled, and chronically ill are particularly vulnerable in a storm. Register family members who need special assistance during evacuations. Tell your power company if you or a family member is homebound and requires electricity for medical equipment. Those on oxygen should check with their provider about emergency procedures. 

Assemble an emergency kit. A comprehensive emergency kit contains items to help with injuries, nutrition, hydration, and other needs. Include a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, medications, and supplies for infants or pets (if applicable). Have an emergency contact list with at least one person who is outside the area of impact. Other important items include a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, extra cash, blankets, and cell phone chargers. Copies of critical papers can also be helpful.

Evaluate Your Insurance Policies. Standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flooding. It’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rains that hit the Corpus Christi area. You also may need to purchase separate windstorm or hail insurance to supplement your coverage. Don’t procrastinate. Flood insurance insurers often impose a 30-day waiting period between purchase and effective date.

Protect Your Home Before the Storm

Stay informed about the weather so you are not caught unaware of a pending storm. Sign up for local news alerts and weather bulletins. When bad weather is a possibility, minimize damage by taking these precautions.

Cover windows. Close and lock all windows, then cover them with plywood or metal panels. Storm panels or roll-down shutters are great choices. 

Secure outdoor items. Grills, patio furniture, flags, and more can turn into dangerous projectiles. Secure them in a garage or bring them inside. 

Trim trees. Branches from trees and shrubs can break windows, rip out gutters, and damage roofs. Keeping all trees trimmed can limit their damage and better allow wind to pass through. Keep branches at least 10 feet away from your house. 

Secure all doors. Garage door braces can keep garage doors from blowing away. Secure door frames to the studs with 3-inch screws. Another option is to install a heavy-duty bolt on your doors. Remove storm doors and screens. 

Move vehicles to a safe location. Park your car inside your garage. If that isn’t an option, park the vehicle in your driveway or next to a building away from power lines and trees. You can also invest in a car cover and park your car on the highest ground possible. If you park in a parking garage, reduce the chance of it being flooded by parking on a level above ground. 

Lastly, unplug all electronics to protect against surge-related damage and have a fire extinguisher on hand. 

Address Storm Damage ASAP

When it is safe, evaluate your home for potential damage. Contact your insurance company and begin the process as soon as possible. Small problems can become big issues if they are not addressed quickly.

Trust Lighthouse Roofing to inspect your roof before the storm or to make repairs afterwards. No job is too big or too small for our professionals. Call (361) 214-7447 or reach us online. 

Additional Storm Resources

Hurricane Season Preparedness Digital Toolkit (ready.gov)

Texas Division of Emergency Management (tdem.texas.gov)

Nueces County Emergency Management (nuecesco.com)

Corpus Christi Emergency Operations Center (cc.texas.com)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (fema.gov)

American Red Cross (redcross.org)

National Flood Insurance Program (floodsmart.gov)

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (twia.org)

Contact our team today. Your home is your largest, most valuable investment. Let our team of experts protect it.