1. Chariot Energy does not manage your solar panels or battery energy storage system. We rely solely on utility reports for the excess credit volumes.
  2. Customers identified as net-exporters, individuals who produce more electricity than what their home consumes, could be subject to suspension and discontinuance of excess credits.

A typical hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. During this time, people regularly consult trusted experts to determine if and when a storm will come close to where they live. However, while you need to know if a hurricane or tropical storm is barreling toward you, it’s even more important to be ready and know what to do when one actually arrives.

Using Chariot Energy’s Ultimate Hurricane Preparedness Checklist, you will be able to:

  • Assemble a hurricane preparedness kit
  • Prepare your home and family if you stay in the house
  • Prepare your home and family if you have to evacuate
  • Know the local officials and resources that can help you

No one wants to experience the devastating power of a hurricane or tropical storm, but effective emergency preparedness will help keep you and your loved ones safe.

General Hurricane Preparedness Kit

Let’s be clear — you should have this kit assembled year-round, as it can also double as a general disaster preparedness kit. The items on this list are essential emergency goods that will last you three to four days no matter the situation.

Food and Water

  • 4 gallons of water per person (1 gallon of water per person per day for 4 days)
  • Canned protein, fruits, and vegetables
  • Non-perishable high-energy snacks
  • Food for infants
  • Food for pets
  • Manual can opener
  • Plates, cutlery, cups, and napkins

First Aid Kit

  • Bandaids of various sizes
  • Bandages of various sizes
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Triple antibiotic ointment
  • Vitamins
  • Non-prescription pain relief
  • Prescription medications
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Soap
  • Gloves
  • Sunscreen
  • Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.)

Supplies

  • Flashlights (1 per person)
  • Chargers for essential devices
  • Radio
  • Batteries for electronic devices
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Bleach and eyedropper
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Matches 
  • Electric lantern
  • Pocket knife
  • Multipurpose tool
  • Rain gear
  • Boots
  • Gloves
  • Cash
  • Copies of special documents in a waterproof container
    • Marriage license
    • Homeowner documentation
    • Insurance documentation
    • Social Security cards
    • Birth certificates
    • Passports
    • Medical records

This might seem like a lot just to have sitting around in a closet or your garage just in case something happens. But trust us — it’s easier to buy this stuff at the grocery store now than waiting until three days before hurricane landfall.

Staying Safe at Home

Once you have your kit assembled, the next section of our hurricane preparedness checklist involves readying your home. Whether your local government asks you to remain home or safely evacuate, you need to take care of your property. You also need to ensure that your family members can take care of themselves if you do “hunker down” when a hurricane arrives.

The Exterior

  • Install storm shutters or place fitted plywood over the windows 
  • Clear the roof and gutters of leaves, branches, and additional nature-related refuse
  • Trim trees and shrubs
  • Caulk doors and windows
  • Clear the yard of anything and everything that could blow away
  • Turn off propane tanks

The Interior

  • Have entertainment options for the entire family, including pets
  • Turn your freezers and refrigerators lower than normal, and keep them closed as long as possible
  • Unplug small appliances
  • Turn off your air conditioner
  • Be sure you have multiple exits that work, including the garage door
  • A toolbox filled with items relevant to your home’s needs
  • Fill bathtubs with water for flushing and washing only

Some hurricane preparedness lists recommend that you buy a generator and keep enough fuel for a week. While we like this idea, we also realize that this expense isn’t feasible for everyone in terms of price, location, availability, and ownership situation.

Evacuation Planning

First and foremost, if the leadership of your city, county, and/or state tell you to evacuate, then do so. You are literally better safe than sorry. So, when you do need to evacuate, you need to have the following preparations in order:

For the Car

  • A car-ready version of the “emergency preparedness kit” above, including
    • Water
    • Food
    • Baby supplies
    • Medicine
    • First aid kit
    • Important documents in a waterproof bag
    • Pet supplies
    • Toiletries
    • Sturdy shoes
    • Rain gear
  • Evacuation route
  • Full tank of gas
  • Cash
  • Road flares
  • Maps
  • Personal effects
    • Shelter materials listed below
    • Laptop computers
    • Keepsakes

For the Emergency Shelter

  • Bedding
  • 3+ days of clothes for each person
  • Chargers for electronics
  • Entertainment

All of the preparations you made to stay in place in the previous section apply to evacuation preparation. Just make sure you also lock your doors. 

Finally, be sure that you turn off the master breaker for your entire home before you leave. If there are power outages in your area because of the storm, you want to prevent a power surge from hurting your home when power is restored.

General Hurricane Preparedness Tips

In our experience, being ready for a hurricane boils down to the “3 B’s:”

  • Be attentive – Know what’s happening in your area
  • Be prepared – You might need to act or leave at a moment’s notice
  • Be communicative – Tell your friends and family members exactly what’s happening

You should also assemble essential contact information. This is important whether you’re preparing, staying safe at home, or actively evacuating because of the high winds and storm surge when the storm strikes.

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Employer
  • School
  • Power company
  • Utility company
  • City government
  • State representative
  • National representative
  • Red Cross 

DO NOT rely upon the internet or your personal phone for these numbers since phone and power lines could be down. Keep a hard-copy, old-school list in a waterproof location.

If a hurricane or tropical storm hits your area, it could easily turn into a major natural disaster. The 21st century alone has seen multiple terrible storms ravage cities across America and the world. Thus, we implore you to obey all requests and directives from your governmental officials, because their goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible — before, during, and after the storm.