2019 Florida Storm Season Outlook & Safety Tips
Here we go again. Florida’s storm season is quickly approaching. The storm season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes areas along the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
According to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University (CSU), the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season predictions are slightly below-average activity. In a report released in April, Klotzbach and his team anticipate thirteen named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes in 2019. That’s less than a typical year, but it’s still worth being prepared for the next several months.
Be Prepared
You can always access the Hurricane Supply List and the Disaster Planning Essentials List under the Resources menu of our website. This is a comprehensive checklist on what you’ll need to do to prepare for a storm, as well as any other disaster.
Remember, restoration work should be left to the professionals to ensure safety and the repairs are done according to code. Immediate damage assessment lowers the risk of additional damage.
Master Restoration wants to make sure you are equipped with a list of a few key safety essentials for returning to your home or business after a storm. Many people think that, once the storm has passed, the dangers of the storm are over. That is simply not true.
What to Know After a Tropical Storm or Hurricane
The DO List
- DO keep your generator outside, away from doors and windows and at least 10 feet away from your home or business.
- DO allow your generator to cool off before refilling it with gas – splashing gas on hot generator components can cause a fire.
- DO stay away from flood waters as they can contain harmful contaminants and hide dangerous debris.
- DO avoid and report downed, damaged, or loose power lines. They can be reported to your local police and fire department.
- DO take photographs of any and all damage to your home, property, cars and other personal possessions. But stay safe! Your restoration company can also do this for you.
- DO call a restoration company like Master Restoration to begin cleanup and start repairs as soon as possible. Avoid the added danger of mold.
- DO carefully inspect your home or building before entering. Use extreme caution.
The DO NOT List
- If you were evacuated for a hurricane, DO NOT return home before authorities have declared it safe to do so. If authorities won’t let you return home and you need a place to stay, text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area.
- DO NOT enter a building if it has visible structural or fire damage from a storm or hurricane.
- DO NOT enter a building if you smell gas or there are nearby downed power lines or if the building is flooded. Floodwater can be especially dangerous as it can be contaminated by gas, oil, and raw sewage, or be electrically charged from downed power lines.
- DO NOT turn on a battery-powered flashlight while you’re in a damaged or evacuated building because a battery spark made inside an enclosed space could ignite gas if a leak is present. If you need to use a flashlight turn it on before you enter the property.
- If you lost power, DO NOT start all your major appliance all at once after the power is restored. This will reduce the risk of damage to sensitive equipment.
- DO NOT ever use a generator indoors. This includes in your garage, basements, and crawlspaces. The exhaust fumes from generators contain high levels of carbon monoxide, which is deadly if inhaled.
- DO NOT use electrical or gas appliances that have been wet or damaged. Doing so may cause electric shock or fire.
- DO NOT use charcoal indoors. Buring charcoal produces high levels of carbon monoxide which is toxic in an enclosed space.
The simplest thing you can do is call Master Restoration’s 24/7 Hotline about any damage or concerns to your home or business. Damages due to a hurricane, tornado, hail, or wind can leave debris that is dangerous to be around. Our Damage Repair Service Specialists are here to help.
We will complete a thorough, safe cleanup and remove all debris that is damaged or contaminated. We will provide remodeling or rebuilding services if necessary. Repairing your unsafe space is our priority. It doesn’t matter if it’s one room or an entire building.
It’s also our job to make an assessment, gather evidence, work with your insurance, and, ultimately, help you clean up and restore your damaged place to a condition that is better than it was before. You’ll get the best possible result from your insurance claim with our expert guidance.
Master Restoration and our licensed contractors respond promptly to serve you quickly and get your lives back to normal as soon as possible. We will leave your property better than before.