STORM ALERT! LAST MINUTE STEPS TO REDUCE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME

Tropical storm Bret is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and rough surf to the island, but it's no longer forecast to become a hurricane. When a storm threatens, follow these last-minute steps to reduce damage to your home:

 1. Get reliable weather information and alerts

• Stay alert to help you stay safe.
• Find a reliable source for hurricane updates. Pay attention to hurricane forecasts from the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO). Follow the NEMO on Facebook or Twitter and tune in to local news often. 
• Buy a battery-powered radio and new batteries. Local radio stations are a powerful source of information during and after a hurricane when power may be out.

2. Tidy up outdoors

• Items on the lawn or patio could become flying debris and damage your home.
• Secure weak or loose fencing; anchor heavy objects deep into the ground; and make a storage plan for loose objects.
          NEMO Disaster Preparedness Best Practices

3. Put up shutters on ALL windows

• Get shutters in place ahead of the storm.
• Plywood should only be used in place of shutters as a last-minute resort when tropical weather is imminent. Additionally, taping windows provides no protection and wastes time.

4. Close all interior doors  

• Give your roof a fighting chance.
• In addition to closing exterior doors and windows, closing all interior doors can give your roof a fighting chance in high winds. If a window is broken by flying debris or a door has blown open, your house will rapidly fill with air. This will cause a dangerous increase in the forces pushing on your roof.

5. Add important contacts to your phone and tell others your plan 

• Know who to call after severe weather.  
• Store your insurance agent’s contact information in your phone. 
• Let loved ones know where you plan to go.

6. Create a home inventory

• Documenting your belongings is easier before a storm.
• Create a detailed list or video of your belongings in case an insurance claim is needed. 

7. Seal gaps and cracks

• Water can easily enter your home through small openings. 
• Use a tube of silicone caulk to seal cracks and gaps to keep water out of your home.
• Check all exterior walls and around windows, doors, electrical boxes, vents, and pipes.

8. Check your gutters

• If water isn’t properly diverted, heavy rain can cause leaks in your ceiling or other damage. 
• Clean any debris from your gutters. 
• Extend downspouts away from the house to divert water. 

9. Secure shingles on your roof

• Loose shingles/galvanize can come off in high winds and let water into your home. 
• Use a tube of roofing cement to secure loose shingle tabs to keep them on the roof and keep water out.
• Reseal all loose shingles and all shingles around the edge of the roof.
• Rayneau Construction and Industrial Products Ltd (RCIP) provides a wide range of hurricane preparedness supplies at our stores conveniently located in Vide Bouteille, Monchy, Babonneau, and Corinth. We offer water tanks plywood, raincoats, pumps, mobile generators, ladders,  torchlights, wheelbarrows, roof sealants, and more. We invite you to experience the Rayneau difference by visiting us on our website; emailing us at customerservice@rayneau.org or calling us at 758-450-7247.