If you're unable to speak for yourself, these items can literally be lifesavers. Hurricanes always bring heavy rain, so cover your chimney with a piece of securely fastened wood or metal to keep that water out of the house. Of course, that means you can't use the fireplace. Electrical wires may short out when power is restored, causing fires. Sparking by the mercury switch in the air conditioner's thermostat can set off a gas explosion.
Flooding can occur when a house is slightly damaged and the water line is cut.
Turning off the power at the main source and unplugging every appliance helps when the utility company restores power to a neighborhood that has been cut off, Whitacre said. If every appliance in the house is still plugged in, the power surge is enormous when the current comes back on, and appliances may be damaged. The demand for power puts a burden on an already struggling utility. Clean your bathtubs before you fill them with water. All rights reserved.