Hurricane season in Hawaii is here, and it’s important to make sure your household is prepared so that everyone can stay safe. Anticipate power outages and store closures as well as a lack of road access, running water, and online banking. Here are a few tips to make it easier to get through hurricane season in the islands.

How to Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season

1. Monitor Storm Updates

Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in your hurricane kit to stay on top of the news. Right now, you may be monitoring the forecast from the weather report online or on the TV. However, if the power goes out, you can’t access information by these conventional methods.

2. Stock Up

Make sure you have ample amounts of water, perishable food, and gasoline. Have enough cash on hand because a power outage may render online banking and ATMs useless. Although your kit will be full, you may need these additional funds for emergency necessities, like gas.

3. Prepare Your Property

Board the windows to protect them from dangerous debris, and place sandbags around the perimeter of the property to prevent flooding. Take down patio umbrellas and store outdoor furniture to minimize the chances of them flying away in a strong gust. If you have pets who live in the backyard, bring them inside to soothe potential jitters and keep them safe.

4. Protect Important Documents

Gather essential papers, like birth certificates, car titles, passports, and Social Security cards. Get your account and routing numbers from your online banking provider as well as any other important financial papers, like car or home loans. Laminate what you can, and put the rest in a waterproof bag so that they’re guarded against rain and floodwater. For added protection, place all of the important documents in a locked, fireproof box.

 

The team at Hawaii County Employees Federal Credit Union in Hilo wants to be sure your family is prepared for the hurricane season. Right now, members can access their information 24 hours, seven days a week so that they can monitor their finances through online banking, withdraw enough emergency cash, and locate the nearest ATM to their house. Learn more about their membership benefits online, then call (808) 935-2969 to inquire about enrollment.