I can say this …

IN my own home — I have not only a Generator for power, but I have reinforcements in the house as well — Extra Hurricane Clips, Hurricane Panels, Storm Rated Windows, Hurricane Rated Roofing Materials, Reinforced Doors (including Garage Doors), etc etc etc.

When I get a storm warning — I look at the track (and given we get a 5 day, 3 day warnings) — by 3 days before the Hurricane Strike — I’ve already pulled everything loose in behind the reinforcements, I’ve put up my Storm Panels, I’ve tightened all the windstorm protective devices, I’ve fueled up the Generator (Which I do anyway at the start of the Hurricane Season), and … my Food Pantry is full with the necessary supplies.

As someone who did have Roof Damage (Which is why I now have a Metal (higher windstorm rated) Architectural Roofing System), I didn’t lose the entire roof (whew — thank goodness for spending up front what I needed to do — that saved my home), and … the safest place is in the lowest levels – I have a large closet in the middle of the house that is the most secure place to be.

Believe me — when that windstorm starts to hit — you KNOW The scary sounds. You can hear the things (that people did not tie down or put away) banging, banging, banging against your storm panels. You can hear every creak, every strain, you know the sound when the Power Grid breaks down (and there is no power from the Electric Company). You know when the Generator kicks in.

Then … eerily … the eye of the storm hits — everything is silent, you crack open the door and see the destruction (including the damage to Nature — the trees snapped like toothpicks, the branches everywhere, street lamp parts (from several blocks away), all of that in your yard – and you see the coming of the rest of the storm nearby. So you re-lock the doors, put up the reinforcing bars, and wait for the rest to pass by.

(and yes, the storm did take several hours of brutal force before finally passing through the area (almost a day at times)).

You SURVIVE by planning ahead. One of the important things that impressed my sibling (who lives in Tornado Zones) is the Hurricane Bracing/Clips — which he added to the construction of his house in that area .. along with storm panels too. He is also thinking of adding a generator as well to his property (For safety sake — because even Ice Storms can cause the power grid to fail).

STOCK up with Staple foods — and rotate it through (so you never have expired foodstuffs). STOCK up with your Water Needs (bottled Water), as well as providing a First Aid kit, Fire Extinguishers, and whatever else your local Emergency Authority recommends.

THAT, and being aware of the Weather in your area is what SAVES lives. I DO watch the Weather Channel quite a lot … and have Emergency Weather Advisories as an added service. I will Evacuate IF the storms are strong enough (I live about 35 miles inland), but (thankfully so far), I’ve not had to.