​Bad News: ​Hurricane Season is Here!
I'm based in Naples, in southwest Florida. One small detail of the contract with my full time job is having to work at the shelter in case of emergencies. As in, "You will be locked into a shelter working 12-hour shifts during Hurricane Irma." ​
​I hope hurricanes never happen again. However, we just went through our annual shelter training, giving a sharp reminder that Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th.
If you live anywhere around natural disasters, you know they can be impressively rough moments. ​You want be prepared now if you live in range of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, etc.
​Preparation gives you peace of mind so you have fewer things to stress about during hurricane season. If disaster strikes, you'll be ready to come back to feeling great and working better as fast as you can!
​Disaster Will Strike Somewhere. Are You Prepared?
Reggie
3 tips for hurricane prep:
​1) Get a Plan!
​Ready.gov has a step-by-step guide to disaster planning. If you live in Florida, the Department of Emergency Management provides an interactive online tool, Get a Plan!, to ​prepare families and businesses.
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it's crucial to know how you'll contact one another and reconnect. ​
​If you don't already have supplies, you are late and at risk!
2) Make a Kit
​Buy supplies gradually, in advance of any storm announcements. You do not want to be driving to 6 stores trying to find water the week before the storm.
- Water- 1 gallon per person for 7 days for drinking, cooking, and washing
- Food- canned or non-perishable packaged. Snack foods too. Remember dietary restrictions and infants.
- Cooking supplies- fuel, manual can opener, plastic utensils, paper plates
- Flashlight ​with extra batteries, candles
- Battery-powered fan
- First aid kit, medications
- Pet supplies- food, medications, bedding, muzzle, leash, identification
- Radio- battery operated NOAA weather radio
- Toiletries- hand sanitizer and baby wipes!
- Cleaning supplies- ​anti-bacterial wipes, garbage bags
- Cash
- Important documents- be sure to back these up digitally and store in a waterproof container
- Toys, books, and games
- Backup chargers
- ​Extra gasoline and containers- gas lasts 3-6 months, and lines get long during emergencies
3) Be grateful
It's easy to take ​comforts in our lifestyle for granted. The relatively easy hurricane shelter camping and having to relocate after the storm were enough to open my eyes to my abundance. Some lose daily comforts, possessions, homes, and lives in these storms. Good news: you don't have to lose anything to be glad you have ​it; practice gratitude now! Gratitude helps you live a fulfilling entrepreneur life.
Read more: Want Fulfilling Goals? 2 Keys to Gratitude
​Conclusion
Hurricanes and natural disasters are terrible. Preparation makes them easier to manage, respond, and survive, instead of having a full-on panic session. If you haven't already, have a plan and make a kit.
What's your top prep tip? Have a crazy disaster story?
Leave a comment below!
​P.S. If a storm is imminent, my colleague who operates a home watch company suggests emptying your freezer - cook or throw out meat.