Homeowners

Preparing your home for a hurricane involves several steps:

• Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, plants, and other objects that could become projectiles in strong winds.
• Protect Windows and Doors: Install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood. Reinforce doors, especially garage doors, to withstand high winds.
• Check Roof and Gutters: Ensure your roof is in good condition and clear gutters of debris to prevent water damage.
• Trim Trees and Shrubs: Trim any overhanging branches and remove dead or weak trees that could fall during a storm.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit: Stock up on essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit.

Your emergency preparedness plan should include:

• Evacuation Route: Know your evacuation routes and have a plan for where you will go if you need to evacuate.
• Communication Plan: Establish a way to communicate with family members during and after the storm, including an out-of-state contact.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep a list of important phone numbers, including local emergency services, your insurance company, and QPM's emergency line.
• Pet Care: Make arrangements for your pets, including where they will go if you need to evacuate and what supplies they will need.
• Home Preparation: Plan how you will secure your home and what steps you will take to protect your property.

If a hurricane warning is issued, take immediate action to protect yourself and your property:

• Follow Evacuation Orders: If local authorities issue an evacuation order, leave the area immediately. Do not wait until the last minute.
• Finalize Home Preparations: Ensure all windows and doors are secured, and unplug appliances to prevent electrical fires.
• Move to Safety: If you’re staying in your home, move to an interior room or a small, windowless area like a hallway, closet, or bathroom.
• Stay Informed: Keep a battery-powered radio or a fully charged phone handy to receive updates and emergency instructions.

After the hurricane has passed, take the following steps:

• Assess Damage: Carefully inspect your home and property for any damage. Be cautious of downed power lines, flooded areas, and structural damage.
• Contact Your Insurance Company: Report any damages to your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
• Document Damage: Take photos and make a list of any damage to your property for insurance purposes.
• Be Careful Returning Home: If you evacuated, only return home when local authorities have declared it safe to do so.
• Report Issues to QPM: If there is damage to common areas or shared community facilities, report it to QPM so repairs can be coordinated.

tay informed by:

• Monitoring Local News: Keep track of weather updates through local news channels, radio, or reliable weather apps.
• Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to local emergency alert systems and QPM notifications to receive real-time updates.
• Stay Connected: Keep your phone charged and have backup power sources available to ensure you can receive updates and communicate with others.