By: Jhanae Winter

Three weeks into the hurricane season and a lot more to go, everyone should be preparing for a natural disaster, whether it hits The Bahamas or not.

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1. This year won’t be as active as 2020 but we still expect to hear and see an above-average number of storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
But why wait for a disaster to hit, then get ready?

The location of this country subjects it to several storms, depressions and hurricanes. The most recent and worst hurricane to hit our shores was the monstrous Dorian. Many are still traumatized by its impact and risked their lives to save themselves and others. Although every Island did not directly feel its wrath like Abiaco and Grand Bahama, little effects were still felt. In this storm there was no predicting how it was going to move, it really had a mind of its own. 

For this reason it is imperative that all Bahamians be ready and prepared at all times. Hurricanes are not always as preditcable as we may think and we must never assume what will happen. Taking caution and being wise in our actions will always ensure our protection. Here's a guide to help you ensure you have thought of everhting in your preparedness plan. 

Create your Evacuation Plan

It is important to know how you are going to evacuate your home or living area if need be. If you live in or near an evacuation zone, you should know the nearest shelters or have a friend or family member to be with. You should have prepared travel bags to carry with you and get familiar with routes you may have to take. If there are elderly people, children or pets in your home, your plan needs to include them to ensure their safety. Things can change at any moment so you should always be ready to leave immediately if need be. Even if you are not ordered to evacuate, you should be building your supplies that can last your household at minimum a week. There is no telling how long stores may be closed, roads blocked, flooded areas etc. It is much better to be safe than sorry.

Emergency Kit

Everyone in the house should have a kit of their own of things they may need for survival. Include things of importance to each individual. This includes medicine and prescriptions, IDs and any important documents that you will need. They should be secured in a waterproof bag and sealed correctly. Pack dry clothes and proper shoes, which should also be placed in a sealed waterproof bag. Baby essentials, cash, portable electronics, flashlights and a full tank of gas are also needed. Most importantly pack food and water to survive for a few days. The more prepared you are the better.

Strengthen your Home

With a storm brewing, leaving yourself vulnerable to its demise is not a wise thought. Start replenishing your hardware supplies if needed. This includes plywood, nails, shutters, shingles and more. It is imperative that you cover your windows properly to protect your roof. This is because the force of the wind that enter through the windows can assist in lifting the roof resulting in damage or if forceful enough, the roof completely coming off. Also, ensure your roof is properly sealed and little to no leaking occurs. Take the time to relocate any loose item outside your home, such as chairs and tables. Likewise, protect your vehicles to the best of your ability. Protecting your home is one of the best ways to keep safe during a storm.

Let's do all we can to help protect ourselves and others to keep safe and protected during this hurricane season. Remeber to always lend a helpinghand to another whenever you can.