Baldwin Group Article

Hurricane Preparation Tips

What I remember most about the night of September 12, 2017, was the sound of the train. We had only recently closed on the 1940s bungalow, and the home’s biggest selling feature had been the wall of leaded glass windows. Unfortunately, those same windows were now the reason we had chosen to hunker down in the hallway.

The lights flickered once around eight o’clock before the power went out. So now, we sat and waited.

My nine-year-old son huddled against me, with our two lap dogs pressed against the chest of my linebacker-sized husband. My son was humming softly to the battery-powered radio when I shushed him abruptly. All our eyes went straight to the window as we heard the train.

Only it wasn’t a train. It was Hurricane Irma, and we were about to experience our first hurricane.

Over 120 hurricanes have made landfall in Florida since 1851, resulting in more than $236 billion in damage between 2000 and 2022 alone. Some of the most notable storms include the Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and my family’s own welcome wagon: Hurricane Irma in 2017.

As early as the 1700s, hurricanes were already shaping Florida’s reputation. In fact, the Treasure Coast earned its name from the legendary account of a storm that sank an entire Spanish fleet. More recent storms, like Milton and Helene, caused concern but fortunately did not make history with catastrophic losses.

There’s an old saying that hindsight is 20/20, and as a now full-fledged Floridian with more than ten years of Sunshine State living under my belt, I offer the preparedness tips I wish someone had shared with me.

Your hurricane preparedness kit should include:

• Water: Even if you think you have enough, get more. Our entire block was without water for two weeks after Irma.
• Non-perishable food: Think crackers, beef jerky, shelf-stable foods, and canned soup (don’t forget the can opener!).
• Flashlight and candles: There’s a good chance the power will go out. Keep a flashlight with extra batteries and candles with matches as a backup.
• First aid kit: At a minimum, include bandages, disinfectant, and gauze. Bonus points for gloves, tweezers, and over-the-counter pain medication.
• Multitool or Swiss Army knife: My grandpa was right all along—I used this daily after the hurricane for everything from cutting rope to opening a can of beans (this is your second reminder to buy a can opener!).
• Hygiene items: Dry shampoo, body wipes, and an overnight bag with changes of clothes, bedding, and detergent. Just in case you stay with a friend.
• Secure storage: Invest in a waterproof box to store jewelry and important documents, such as your insurance information. Before storm season, review your coverage to ensure it still meets your household’s needs.

If you cannot evacuate during a hurricane, sheltering in place properly is essential for your safety. Move to an interior room on the lowest level of your home, placing as many walls as possible between you and the outside.

Stay away from windows, doors, and glass surfaces, as flying debris can shatter them and cause serious injury. Although lower floors are safest, avoid basements due to the risk of flooding.

Keep items like pillows, blankets, or a mattress nearby to protect your head and body from debris or structural damage.

With its beautiful scenery, year-round sunshine, and endless activities, Florida offers plenty of reasons to enjoy life despite its storm season. While we can’t avoid every storm, being prepared helps keep us safer—and calmer—when and if the next named storm decides to vacay in Florida this summer!

Rachel Draker
Training Manager, Baldwin Group