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6 Ways to Prep Your Home for Natural Disasters

This is a pretty good summary of things you can do. I'd add two items.

This website has some good tips. It is not all-inclusive of the things you can do, but covers the basics. See6 Ways to Prep Your Home for Natural Disasters.

While all the tips are valid, I suggest adding a minimum of two. First is buying flood insurance if you live in a flood zone. And if you are "just outside of a flood zone," I'd also buy it. Your mortgage company might not require it, but with the types of historic rains we've been having, we are seeing flooding where it has "traditionally" not been seen before. Next, besides fastening the TV, the water heater and the chimney, make sure your older home is fastened to the foundation. Homes built before 1980-90 just might not have had this accomplished. 

All the above measures will keep your property protected and the few personal preparedness tips are right on the money too. Remember, if it is a regional-sized disaster like a hurricane or earthquake, having a two-week disaster kit is a better option. 

 

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.