Although Irma is now forecasted to hit Florida instead of North Carolina, there is still some debate as to where it will go after hitting land. While some models have it continuing west, others say that it will travel up the coast and end up hitting here anyway, albeit much lighter than it could have. Here at Wirth, we want to make sure that you have done everything you can to make sure that you are safe whether you stay here or if you go further inland to avoid any damage that may be done. Here are some tips to help you get through a hurricane safely.
1. Stock Up. While we all know about stocking up on food and other perishables, one thing that many people forget about is medication. If you are close to needing a refill, then please by all means go out and get it before the storm hits. If something occurs which prevents you from leaving the house for a few days then it is always good to have a stock of meds that you need daily.
2. Move Things Away From Windows. As a kid on the coast, I can remember whenever a big storm would roll in working with my mother to make sure all of our furniture was in the center of the room. This would be in case a window would break so that not everything would have glass all over it and cleanup would be much easier. In this vein, make sure that you have tarps and tape to seal off any openings that may be created due to broken windows or other debris.
3. Have An Evac/Emergency Plan. If something turns nasty and you need to leave, make sure that you are able to do so. If that isn’t an option, make sure that you have some other emergency plan ready. Be sure to include others living in your home, even your pets. We saw during Harvey that not everyone had planned for that and the pictures were truly heartbreaking.
The main thing to remember with storms like these is that preparation is key. Here at Wirth, we want to know that all of our patients are safe which is why we are writing this article. Always remember to keep your health and safety at the forefront of your mind. Everything else can be replaced if needed. You can’t.
