Preparing for Hurricane Milton: Essential Tips from a Hurricane Ian Survivor

As a survivor of Hurricane Ian in Florida Shores, I’ve learned some crucial lessons about dealing with flooding and hurricanes that I wish I’d known beforehand. I’m sharing this not to create fear, but to equip others with practical advice. If you think your home could flood with recent weather patterns, please take these steps to heart. You can get through this, just like we did. Here’s what you need to know before, during, and after the storm.

🌀 BEFORE THE STORM HITS: PREVENTIVE MEASURES 🌀

  1. Download Emergency Apps & Keep Your Phone Volume On: A flash flood warning woke me up and helped me avoid even more damage. You can’t afford to miss alerts.
  2. Move Valuables and Documents to Higher Ground: Move important items like documents, photos, electronics, and dry food to countertops or high shelves. Know where all important documents are, including car paperwork—floods can damage everything quickly.
  3. Elevate Appliances & Essentials: We lost our small kitchen appliances stored in lower cabinets. Move items like food processors, crockpots, and dry food higher up. The same goes for bandages, medications, and baby supplies.
  4. Turn Off Your Breaker Early: When water starts to enter your home, turn off your breaker, even if the power is already out. It can prevent injuries and protect utility workers when power is restored.
  5. Secure Gas Cans & Avoid Extension Cords in Water: Keep gas cans for your generator off the ground to prevent them from floating away and contaminating water. Never use extension cords in standing water to avoid electrocution.
  6. Keep Essentials in a Waterproof Container: Store phones, flashlights, and other important items in a waterproof container.
  7. Prepare for Your Pets: Move pet food to a high place and keep leashes nearby in case you need to leave quickly. If you have a kayak or paddleboard, know where it is—it saved us.
  8. Elevate Dog Crates & Have a Flashlight Nearby: Keep pet crates off the floor. Keep a flashlight on your nightstand; you’ll need it if you have to act fast in the dark.
  9. Park at the Highest Ground Available: We lost three cars that were parked too low. Park vehicles at the highest point possible and move valuables off the floorboards to avoid water damage.
  10. Pack an Essentials Bag in Advance: Have a bag ready with dry clothes, important documents, and essentials. You won’t have time to pack during an emergency.
  11. Document Your Belongings: Take photos of your home’s interior and note serial numbers of electronics for insurance claims.
  12. Prepare for Young Children: If you have a baby, consider keeping them close during a storm. Keep diapers, wipes, and a pacifier on hand, as searching for them in the dark or in water isn’t easy.

🌀 AFTER THE HURRICANE: WHAT TO DO IF YOU FLOOD 🌀

  1. Take a Breath and Stay Calm: You’ll be in shock, but try to stay calm and rational. Turn on lights or candles to see clearly and assess the damage before moving anything else.
  2. Focus on Safety First: Get children and pets to a dry, safe spot. Then, move anything you can to higher ground.
  3. Cut Out Wet Drywall Quickly: Use a saw to cut out drywall up to 4 feet, or based on the water level. This can help prevent mold growth. The sooner you do this, the better.
  4. Organize Your Trash: When clearing debris, sort it into piles—construction materials, garbage bags, and furniture. Keep it neat for quicker pickup.
  5. Track Everything: Keep a notebook with a list of everyone who calls or helps you, including non-profits and insurance agents. Log all important information like FEMA and insurance claim numbers. You’ll need this for later.
  6. Don’t Keep a Flooded Car: If your car floods, take the insurance payout instead of trying to repair it. Water damage can lead to serious issues down the road.
  7. Remove Clothing Quickly: Mold spores can grow fast. Get clothes out of the house and into a dry place as soon as possible.
  8. Label and Save Hardware: When removing cabinets or vanities, save hardware in labeled bags to make reconstruction easier.
  9. Use Home Improvement Accounts: Use a pro account at home improvement stores like Home Depot and keep all receipts electronically. You’ll need these for insurance or reimbursement later.
  10. Prioritize Repairs: Focus on making your home livable again with basic repairs. Get walls and essentials like a makeshift kitchen in place before moving on to floors, doors, and cosmetic touches.
  11. Change Outlets and Use Licensed Contractors: Replace lower electrical outlets even if they seem fine. Only use licensed, insured contractors to avoid scams.
  12. Apply for All Assistance Programs: Reach out to FEMA, Red Cross, and local assistance programs. You may qualify for more support than you think.
  13. Stay Honest with Insurance Claims: Don’t try to mislead insurance companies about the nature of damage. It’s not worth the risk, and honesty will pay off in the long run.

Take a Deep Breath, You’ll Get Through This

Surviving a hurricane and flood can feel overwhelming, but you are stronger than you know. If you still have your family, a roof over your head, and a way to start over, you’re already in a better position than many others. Take it one step at a time, and remember—this will become a memory you’ll look back on one day.

We’re in this together. Stay safe, and Godspeed through Hurricane Milton.4o

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