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Although hurricane season began on June 1, in a matter of days, when August arrives, Puerto Rico will enter the peak of hurricane activity.
Read this article in English.
In addition to preparing available emergency equipment, such as rechargeable fans, water reserves and electric generators, How should a home be prepared for a potential hurricane?
“The first thing is that they have to know whether They live in a flood zone.“This recommendation becomes critical in light of recent reviews of the Flood maps Posted by FEMA.
In addition, since 2020 until the present time, Puerto Rico has seen a surge in home sales, suggesting that thousands of people were not exposed to Hurricane Maria in 2017 in the property they currently reside in and are unaware of the vulnerabilities in their current residence.
With that in mind, Betancourt urged “checking the elements around the home to avoid flooding, such as roof drains and storm drains.” He warned that clogged drains in the yard or on the street can cause severe blockages and even water to enter the home.
To reduce the risk of clogged drains, Betancourt pointed out that always, but especially during this time, the maintenance of green areas must be up to date, so that there is no accumulation of leaves and other debris. “Trees must be removed preventively,” he noted.
Outside, the architect stressed the importance of “tethering rooftop equipment that could be projectiles.” This includes air conditioning control unit condensers and tank pumps, which in addition to being fixed to the roof slab must be secured with metal cables. Items such as antennas, for example, are easier to remove, as they can be lowered from the roof for the duration of the emergency and then reattached.
In the case of homes or structures with solar panels, Betancourt urged “be very aware” that the company or person who installed the equipment has provided a certificate proving that the anchors were manufactured and that measures were taken to withstand a hurricane's onslaught.
Regarding roofs made of metal, wood or light materials, he pointed out that the anchors must be checked and “metal reinforcements invested” where necessary: “The impact of a hurricane is not only on the roof, it also pulls and pulls the light.” Zinc roofs. “They must be protected from being pulled and separated from the structure.” In this regard, CAAPR has Digital guide On your web portal.
Pay attention to the windows.
As recommended by the leader of architects Look for information about the windows installed to determine if they are designed to withstand hurricane winds. In the case of aluminum-panel windows known as “Miami,” he noted that they can usually withstand hurricane winds, but always make sure they all close properly and replace damaged actuators. In the case of glass, he recommended investing in storm shutters if in doubt.
In structures built from 2011 onwards that have the appropriate permits, installed windows must be certified to withstand winds up to 145 miles per hour (mph). After 2018, there are domestic manufacturers that certify windows to withstand winds up to 200 mph.
Another simple procedure is to repair the roof sealant, if a product was used that was applied with a roller and requires regular maintenance.
The same applies to the caulking around doors and windows. If you see that it no longer has the rubbery property, this is where the water can be filtered. He warned that the wind would pull the “dam” like a pressure machine, so he recommended removing the poor condition material and reapplying it.
The importance of taking inventory
Furthermore, FEMA educational materials emphasize that regardless of the type of insurance purchased, it is always important to have it. Detailed inventory Contents of the home and evidence of the condition it was in before the disaster.
“Your inventory will help you show the value of your property, which may make your claim easier to process, and will provide documentation for any tax deductions you may be able to claim on your losses. An updated inventory can also be helpful in determining the correct amount of coverage to purchase,” FEMA recommends.
The inventory can be done using photographs or videos of the property, as well as descriptions indicating the brand, model and year of manufacture, as appropriate. In the case of valuables, such as jewelry, art and antiques, it is recommended to keep documentation or a careful appraisal.
“Make sure your inventory is stored in a place where you can easily access it after a disaster,” the agency says, emphasizing documents that can be kept physically in a weatherproof box or envelope and in digital formats in an email account or secure online storage.
For free access to guides and materials on preparing for hurricanes and other disasters, you can click here.
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