Another Evacuation….Pass on this Information, Please!
I cannot believe I am discussing this again in such a short period of time but yes, another evacuation order is in place. I have tried to get information out to help those evacuating and also to those staying at home who will be affected by the winds and rain. I hope you have sent the link to our Evacuation and Refuge category to everyone you know. As I was thinking about the storm and my own family who is now “in the cone” I have been considering what those who are renting should be doing today. Of course, they should be stocking up and doing all of the things mentioned in the Another Hurricane Week and The Storm of the Century posts. I recognize that renters can not do some of these things so I have a few suggestions for renters.
1. You may not be able to go out and prune branches off of trees so you will have to take another approach to protecting your family. If you have a tree that is very close to your home with branches that can potentially come crashing through a window, close the blinds or other window coverings and place a mattress in front of the window. Move a heavy piece of furniture in front of the mattress to secure it. Do Not use a book case filled with books as they can become dangerous if the bookcase should tip over. Once you have the mattress secured close the door and leave the room. Several years ago our daughter and her family had a tree fall during a storm and crash through a window. It was very frightening so take a critical look at the trees around your home.
2. Cover your windows. This storm holds the threat of high winds far into the state. As renters you may not be able to board up your windows so you will have to use another approach. Close the windows. The old advise was to leave your windows slightly opened to reduce the pressure and prevent windows from exploding. This advice is the wrong advice. Never leave windows open. Close the blinds. Place a blanket over the window and secure it by using firring strips or half round or quarter round moulding. Place the moulding over the blanket and nail through the wood strip and blanket to secure them. Painters drop clothes may also be used as a cover. Since they are thinner than a blanket I would double them before securing them to the wall. This will not prevent your windows from breaking but it will contain the glass and debris which might otherwise end up in your home. If you want to leave a window uncovered, so you can see what is going on outside, choose the smallest window.
3. You may think you don’t have anything outside to worry about but do you have a plant outside your door or wind chimes, or a bistro set or a trash can? All can become dangerous in a high wind. If you have a sliding door remove the screen and bring it inside. If your landlord provides a gardener check to make sure they have not left any tools behind that could become air born. Even tropical storm winds are strong enough to propel heavy pruners or a lawn mower.
4. Protect your car. If you have a garage do whatever it takes to get the car inside. If you don’t but your apartment complex offers some covered parking watch for a space to open up and get your car under cover. If you have only street parking try to find an area which is relatively free of trees and power poles. It may even be wise to take your car to your Church’s parking lot or other large lot and park in the middle. Nothing is completely safe but look at your parking choice with a critical eye.
5. As with everyone preparing, designate a place to gather if the worst should happen and things in your home should begin flying around. If you do not have a room without windows such as a laundry room or bathroom, prepare the room with is smallest window as a refuge. Move chairs away from your dining table and have it ready as a place to duck, cover and hold on. Move the table away from windows. Place a large blanket under the table. If you should have to head there. Cover your family with the blanket and hold on to the table and each other. Hopefully if you are in that much danger you have evacuated.
6. When you do your “stocking up” shopping buy a few tarps, if there are still any available. As renters you may be on your own to protect your family. Home owners should have purchased tarps but renters rarely think of this. A landlord may not be able to get to you to cover the leaky roof or broken windows for days after a storm be ready to do it yourself.
Bottom line..treat your rental as if it were your home. It is, after all, your family inside.
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I’ve heard some good things about this blog. Remember to balance the pics with the text tho. cheers!
Thanks for thinking about us renters.
I have forwarded your articles to everyone I know. Your advice months ago really helped when we had a tornado so I hope these posts reach the right people.
I would never have thought to trim my trees. After your post before Gustav I did it and was I glad!