How You Can Prepare Your Vehicle For A Hurricane

When it comes to hurricane damage, it takes just one and there could be times when you can’t do much if one like Hurricane Andrew hits the State. Of course, Texas hasn’t experienced what is referred to as a “100 year Hurricane” since the time a devastating storm in 1900 almost wiped-out Galveston; and hopefully, it never will. But just as you prepare your home much ahead of a storm, you should also be extending this disaster-preparedness to effectively protecting your vehicle too.

If you’re at home & find yourself right in the path of an oncoming hurricane, here’s how you can prepare your vehicle for a hurricane. It’s important that you have 2 meeting areas, 1 that is close to your home & the other a little further away, just in case you have to evacuate:

• Fuel: Ensure that you fuel-up your car. A major part of disaster-preparedness is to have a plan to quickly get help after any dangerous weather subsides. If you have a tank full of gas, you will be able to get to where you want to, much faster, without really having to stop for fuel

• Park: If you want to keep your car safer in a hurricane, ensure that you protect it from waters and high winds. The recommendation from the IHPA is that it’s best to park your vehicle in the garage if possible. In case you don’t have a garage, it’s best to park it near a building that will offer a certain amount of protection from high-winds. Do not park near any power lines as these may get blown down in the storm

• Driving: It goes without saying that it’s best to avoid driving if a hurricane hits. Two feet of water is all it takes to carry away smaller cars. In addition low visibility, high winds and heavy rain raises the risk of collisions

Other Things to Do

The other things to do in advance are to replace the windshield wipers and check tire pressure. Keep a car charger for your phones and always park on high ground. Above all, at no point should you risk your safety in case there is a hurricane. Defensive driving courses can teach you about how to drive in inclement weather in a safe manner.