8 Ways to Prepare for Hurricanes and Floods in Houston

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Hurricane season is upon us, so we wanted to offer some reminders to keep you ready for anything Mother Nature might throw at us.

1. Stay tuned to the local weather station. They will keep you updated on critical info from the National Weather Service.
2. Check your disaster supply. Your supply kit should be ready to go with a gallon of water per person, non-perishable food for three days, flashlights, batteries, and candles.
3. Tie down things in the yard. Make sure things like patio furniture are stowed away or secured so they can't blow away in the wind.
4. Inventory of the property. We don't have a ton of hurricanes here in Houston, but we are susceptible to flooding. Take pictures and do a walkthrough, and write down everything. That way, if you ever have a flood insurance claim to make, you have something to fall back on.
5. Turn the fridge and freezer all the way down. Setting the fridge and freezer to the coldest setting will help you keep it cool if the power goes out, and your food will stay fresh longer. Keep the doors closed as long as possible if you lose power.
6. Turn off the gas. If you have propane or other small appliances, make sure they're turned off.
7. Keep your gas tank full. If there's flooding and you need to get out of town, be prepared with a full tank.
8. Have an evacuation plan in place. This way everyone in your family will know what to do and you won't be scrambling at the last minute.

If you're close to buying a property, remember that insurance companies will stop writing policies if there is a named hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. If you see one forming, get your policies ready before it's too late.

As always, if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, we'd love to work with you!