Storm Safety in Your NYC Apartment

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Be Ready-

People of New York, the only wrong time to prepare for a hurricane or bad storm is when it’s too late!  If you live near the coast, hurricanes are an ever-present danger. Knowing how and what to prepare for a hurricane can save your life and the place you call home. In the Atlantic, hurricane season lasts from June 1st to November 30th. Stay prepared with our best tips and practices for Storm Safety here in the big apple.

Prepare Online-

Doing your research and preparing for a storm by compiling a list of organizations and websites with critical information can assist you in the long run, even if it doesn’t seem necessary now.

1. Bookmark the page(s) on your power company’s website where outage maps and updates are posted if the power goes out. Sign up for the company’s emergency email alerts (if they offer them) to stay in the know.

2. Install FEMA’s app. If your power company has an app, install that, too.

3. Photograph your items. In the event of catastrophic damage following an evacuation, photographs make filing an insurance claim easier. Store the photos online using a service such as Dropbox or Google Docs.

4. Review your renters insurance policy for natural disaster protection. Then, scan your policy documents and store the file online with your photos.

5. Research the most convenient evacuation centers in your area and the traffic routes you’d take to reach them. If your apartment is in an evacuation zone and you receive an evacuation order, it is in your best interest to follow it rather than waiting the storm out.

Preparing Your Apartment before a Storm 

While storms can cause severe structural damage, you can take steps to keep the rain and wind at bay and keep yourself safe.

• Store everything you need to be comfortable for a few days. Create an emergency prep bag. Make sure it includes:

• A first aid kit
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable, canned food
• Prescribed medications
• Emergency blankets
• A radio for news and weather updates
• A water purifier

• Make pet preparations. If you have a dog, cat, or other beloved pet, make sure you have an emergency prep bag for them, too! Also, locate nearby shelters or hotels that can accommodate both of you.
• Charge your devices. This includes cell phones, laptops, tablets, and, more.
• Request preventative maintenance from your landlord or super. If you have a leaky window or other outstanding maintenance issue, request that your landlord fix them ASAP before things get worse.
• Unplug electronic devices (like desktop computers) and appliances (like coffee makers and toaster ovens) if you lose power. Doing so will help prevent an electrical surge from damaging them when power returns.

If you have experienced any kind of storm damage in your Manhattan apartment be sure to give SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan a call, let us handle the hassle of cleanup and restoration so you don’t have to.