Apartment/Condo Dwellers

If you live in a high-rise near the expected path of the storm hurricane management officials will probably order an evacuation of your building. With storms come power outages and without power emergency personnel cannot evacuate, or even reach, people on the upper floors of a tall building. Moreover, a fire on the upper floors of a high rise would be impossible to fight during a hurricane.

1. Remember that winds are stronger at higher elevations.

2. Buy renters or condo insurance. The building may not be your responsibility, but your valuables are.

3. Buy flood insurance. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage and flood insurance is cheap and readily available.

4. Make a videotape of all your possessions for insurance purposes. Open every drawer and cabinet. You'll be surprised at things you've forgotten you own. Update this every season.

5. Get shutters or 1/2" plywood panels for your sliding glass doors and windows. Check to see if your condo association requires a specific style. If you rent, check to see if your landlord provides them and who will put them up before the storm. If you have integral shutters, deploy them.

6. If you're using plywood, it helps to install anchor bolts, securing the plywood to the building with fender washers and nuts. After the storm passes remove the nuts, washers,  and plywood, but not the anchor bolts. Store the nuts, washers, and plywood for next season. 2 1/2" masonry screws,  lag bolts, or anchor bolts are preferred. If you're using nails, use 10-penny common or 12-penny box nails. Double headed nails are preferred for ease of removal. Space fasteners 6" on-center.

7. Don't bother taping windows. Is doesn't make the glass anymore resistant to breaking and could give you a false sense of security.

8. Name floor captains. A key duty for them is to check on residents with special needs before and after the hurricane.

9. Trace the route to the nearest exit stairs. That will be important if power is out and your building has an elevator.

10. Designate your safest room, probably an interior bedroom, bath, or hall, and stay there when the wind's blowing. The safest place is the condo's inner hallways. Consider staying in a lower apartment if you live on a higher floor.

11. Bring everything in from patios and balconies.

Home Owners

1. Buy flood insurance. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage and flood insurance is cheap and readily available.

2. Keep trees and other vegetation trimmed well clear of the house and roof. Ensure dead branches that might fall during a storm are removed.

3. Make a videotape or take photos of all your possessions for insurance purposes. Open every drawer and cabinet. You'll be surprised at things you've forgotten you own. Make a videotape of the exterior of your house and property, before the storm. Update these every season.

4. Make a videotape or take photos showing your house with shutters or boards up and after the storm before you've repaired anything.

5. Ensure you have any additional necessary supplies to take care of your home after a hurricane. See preparing your hurricane survival kit.

6. Get shutters or 1/2" plywood panels for your sliding glass doors and windows. Check to see if your homeowner's association requires a specific style. If you rent, check to see if your landlord provides them and who will put them up before the storm. If you have integral shutters, deploy them. By code, all new homes must be supplied with hurricane shutters or panels. If your home came with them chances are you have a discount on your homeowner's policy - but there is a catch: if there is a named storm anywhere in the State of Florida you need to put your shutters up. If you don't and your home is damaged, your insurance company may deny your claim.

7. If you're using plywood, it helps to install anchor bolts, securing the plywood to the building with fender washers and nuts. After the storm passes remove the nuts, washers,  and plywood, but not the anchor bolts. Store the nuts, washers, and plywood for next season. 2 1/2" masonry screws,  lag bolts, or anchor bolts are preferred. If you're using nails, use 10-penny common or 12-penny box nails. Double headed nails are preferred for ease of removal. Space fasteners 6" on-center.

8. Don't bother taping windows. Is doesn't make the glass anymore resistant to breaking and could give you a false sense of security.

9. Designate your safest room, probably an interior bedroom, bath, or hall, and stay there when the wind's blowing. The safest place is the home's inner hallways. Consider staying on the first floor if you own a two-story home.

10. Bring everything in from patios and balconies.

11. Turn off gas (if connected) and water until the storm passes.

Mobile Home Owners

If you're close enough to the area of expected high winds, hurricane management officials will probably order an evacuation of your park. Nevertheless, keeping your home and its contents in one piece and in one place is still an important job. Even if you are out of the direct path of the storm, you still need to take the following steps to stay safe as the storm passes:

1. Plan on evacuating if local emergency management officials order it. Mobile homes are traditionally more dangerous that standard residences due to their lighter construction. Don't take a chance!

2. Check your tie downs. A recent study in Orange County showed that 85% of mobile homes over 10-years of age had damaged tie downs. These are the only things keeping your home and your possessions in once place. They must be checked.

3. Buy flood insurance. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage and many mobile home parks are in low, poorly drained areas.

4. Make a videotape or take photos of all your possessions for insurance purposes. Open every drawer and cabinet. You'll be surprised at things you've forgotten you own. Make a videotape of the exterior of your mobile home and property, before the storm. Update these every season.

5. Make a videotape or take photos showing your mobile home with shutters or boards up and after the storm before you've repaired anything.

6. Ensure you have any additional necessary supplies to take care of your mobile home after a hurricane. See preparing your hurricane survival kit.

7. Get shutters for your sliding glass doors and windows.

8. Don't bother taping windows. Is doesn't make the glass anymore resistant to breaking and could give you a false sense of security.

9. Bring everything in from patios and porches.

10. Stow awnings and tie down anything that can't be stored inside.

11. Turn off gas (if connected) and water until the storm passes.