In the event that a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching your area, it’s in your best interest to prepare ahead of time. Nothing is more important than the safety of you and your loved ones.
Stay updated on the path of the storm by watching your local TV news or visiting nhc.noaa.gov. Prepare for the storm with the following guidelines:
1. Evacuate if instructed to do so by authorities.
Evacuation orders are given in order to protect you and your family. Do not attempt to “wait out” the storm at home if local authorities have advised you to evacuate. Be aware of your evacuation route ahead of time, and be sure your vehicle is prepped by filling your gas tank and airing up your tires. Pack a “go bag” with essentials for every member of your household that you can quickly grab in the event you’re told to leave. If high winds are expected in your area, board up your windows and glass doors.
2. Make an inventory of your possessions.
Walk through the rooms in your home and around your property and record a video of your belongings, describing them as you go. Make a list of all valuables that you keep out of sight. Keep this list with your important documents in a waterproof container and take it with you if you need to evacuate.
3. Collect emergency supplies now.
If you anticipate staying home for the storm, do not wait – immediately collect necessities for 3 days without power. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Medications
- A gallon of water per day per person
- Non-perishable food
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Radio
- Baby and pet supplies
Keep cell phones well charged and keep supplies in an easily accessible location.
4. Know what to do after the storm.
If you evacuate, don’t return to your property until authorities say it’s safe to do so. Once the storm passes, re-do the video walkthrough of your home and property and describe any damage.
If your home is damaged and you’re unable to make your mortgage payment, call us at 866-317-2347.
To register for federal disaster relief, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585), or go to DisasterAssistance.gov to find out if you qualify for Individual Disaster Assistance.
For more information about what to do after a storm, read this article.
Stay informed and prepared with the resources below:
American Red Cross | Help Those Affected by Disasters
Help after a natural disaster (Freddie Mac®)
Disaster Resiliency and Relief | Fannie Mae®
Fannie Mae® is a registered trademark of the Federal National Mortgage Association and Freddie Mac® is a registered trademark of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Any above-mentioned companies are not affiliated with Newrez LLC.