- The Renter's Dilemma: Unique Challenges and Smart Solutions
- Before the Storm Watch: Your Year-Round Preparedness Plan
- As the Storm Approaches: Your Actionable Hurricane Prep Checklist
- Surviving the Aftermath: Power Outage Essentials for Renters
- The Ultimate Renter's Hurricane Kit
- Creating Your Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Plan
- Conclusion
Hurricane Prep for Renters: Emergency Plans When You Don’t Own the Property
- The Renter's Dilemma: Unique Challenges and Smart Solutions
- Before the Storm Watch: Your Year-Round Preparedness Plan
- As the Storm Approaches: Your Actionable Hurricane Prep Checklist
- Surviving the Aftermath: Power Outage Essentials for Renters
- The Ultimate Renter's Hurricane Kit
- Creating Your Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Plan
- Conclusion
The hurricane season can induce panic in anyone. However, for tenants, the problems are often bigger. Homeowners may consider installing storm shutters or purchasing a standby generator. But tenants are bound by their rental contracts and the limitations of the property. Not owning your home does not mean you are helpless. Successful hurricane preparation is based on planned deliberation. This manual provides you with the necessary tips and checklists specifically for tenants, outlining how they can assist you in staying safe before, during, and after the storm.
The Renter's Dilemma: Unique Challenges and Smart Solutions
You require a mindset change as a renter in hurricane preparations. Since you cannot effect drastic alterations in one's living space, you must emphasize communication, diligent record-keeping, and safeguarding personal belongings. Understanding the limitations embodied in your situation is the necessary first step in conceptualizing an effective plan.
The greatest challenge is the inability to put in place permanent remedies. For example, boarding up your windows or putting in a huge generator is probably impossible. This fact raises the necessity for short-term remedies and a good escape plan. Your emergency plan must be easily transportable and flexible for any circumstances. You need to make preparations for self-reliance for a period of at least three days, in case that would be the length you would experience without a support system.
Before the Storm Watch: Your Year-Round Preparedness Plan
Preparation for the hurricane is best done while the weather is good and a long way from any storm approaching. These preparations done now will prevent you from rushing around at the very last minute while a storm is looming.
Understand Your Lease and Your Landlord's Responsibilities
Carefully read your rental agreement. Does it mention preparations for a storm? Discuss this now with your landlord or building manager. Inquire about their hurricane preparations. Find out whether they make any preparations for the building prior to a hurricane, such as installing storm shutters. Once you understand them, you can then more easily determine what you need to do.
Get Renter's Insurance and Document Everything
You must take this step. Your landlord's insurance merely insures the physical plant of the building and does not encompass your personal belongings. Your best safeguard for ensuring your financial safety of you if your belongings are damaged is a full renter's insurance policy. Before the storm arrives, video the entire apartment. Speak and make certain you point out opening any closets and any drawers. This video will serve as good proof for your insurance provider.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
You should know whether or not you live in a place requiring evacuation. This can easily be accessed from the homepage of your government's site. It's a good idea to map out your way of escape prior to the day you must go. Also, try and find a safe place to go, such as a friend's home outside the coastal area, a hotel, or a shelter. Don't wait until you get an evacuation warning.
As the Storm Approaches: Your Actionable Hurricane Prep Checklist
When a hurricane is coming to your area, it is time to use your plan. This is how to prep for a hurricane in the one or two days before it gets here.
Secure Your Outdoor Space: If you have a balcony, bring everything inside. This means furniture, plants, and anything else outside. These things can become very dangerous in strong winds.
Protect Your Interior: Move valuable things like TVs and computers away from windows. Put your important papers in waterproof bags. You probably can't board up windows, but you can close your blinds to help stop broken glass from flying everywhere.
Build Your Emergency Kit: Get all your emergency supplies together in one place that is easy to get to. This kit will be your lifeline.
Charge Everything: Your phone is a very important tool for communication. Charge all your electronics, like backup batteries or power banks, until they are full.
Surviving the Aftermath: Power Outage Essentials for Renters
For many people, the hardest part of a hurricane is when the power is out for a long time afterward. Because you are a renter, you can't use a noisy gas generator. This is when new, portable power outage essentials become very important for staying safe, comfortable, and in touch.
A portable power station is the best choice. These machines are quiet, make no fumes, and are safe to use inside, so they are perfect for apartments. A medium-sized one can be a big help. It can let you power important things for a few days.
Think about what you will need to power. A small fridge can keep your food and medicine from going bad. A fan can help move the air when it is very hot. And keeping your phone charged lets you get news and call your family. A flexible unit, like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 with its expandable capacity, gives renters a good power option that can grow.
The Ultimate Renter's Hurricane Kit
Your emergency kit should have everything you need and be ready to grab. Use this hurricane prep checklist to make sure you have it all.
Water and Food: Have one gallon of water for each person for each day, for at least three days. Also, we have three days of food that does not need a fridge or cooking.
Lighting and Communication: Have flashlights and extra batteries, a weather radio, and your full power bank.
First-Aid and Sanitation: Have a first-aid kit, any medicine you need, and things to stay clean like wet wipes.
Important Documents: Keep copies of your lease, insurance papers, and IDs in a waterproof bag.
Cash: Cash machines will not work if the power is out. Have some cash, especially small bills.
Creating Your Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Plan
Your next important decision is whether you should leave or not. If you are directed to leave, then leaving is a necessity. It is highly important not to disregard such instructions. If you are not otherwise directed to leave, then you have to make a decision whether or not the safety of your apartment gets you through the cyclone.
Consider the strength of the structure you are in. Are you in a high-rise overlooking the ocean or at the ground level at risk of possible flooding? If you have questions about how you can remain safe, then evacuating and playing it safe is a good decision. These are the hurricane prep basics you should keep in mind. Let your landlord and a family member who lives far away know about the plan, whether you go one way or the other.
Conclusion
Renting does impose a set of challenges in hurricane preparations. All the same, this should not deter you from having a good hurricane safety plan. With emphasis on the way you communicate, the way you keep records in check, and the way you ensure you have portable supplies in place, you can weather the storm without panic. Your safety is paramount, and a good plan remains the best resource. The centerpiece in the plan remains a good source of energy and a multi-purpose solution like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 helps keep the important equipment you own operating at the times you need them the most.