How to Prepare for a Tropical Storm

Contact your home insurance provider to add tropical storm insurance to your policy if you don't already have it. This will help protect you financially should any damage to your home occur.

Talk with your family members about what to do when the storm strikes. This is your emergency preparedness plan. Everyone in your home should know how to get to a safe place, such as the basement or storm cellar. Come up with a signal that tells your family to put the plan into action immediately.

Create a tropical storm emergency kit and keep it where you and your family will go during the storm. The kit should include at least a flashlight, a battery powered radio, extra batteries for both and candles with matches.

Add other supplies to your emergency area in the home. These should include extra clothes and bedding, a tool kit, three to five gallons of water for each person, a three day supply of nonperishable food items and a first aid kit.

Install hurricane shutters on the windows in your home. These shutters can be shut when the storm strikes and protect your windows and inside living quarters from strong winds and other damage.

Ensure all doors in your home include a deadbolt lock and three hinges. Solid wood and metal doors work best when withstanding the strong winds of a tropical storm.