Earlier this summer, we saw Hurricane Beryl barrel through the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5 storm, so this is a good time to remind you about preparing your home and family for hurricane season.

In recent years, we have seen severe hurricane season creep ever earlier, with storms starting stronger and more destructive than normal in the face of rising water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Beryl is the first Category 5 storm ever seen in the Atlantic Ocean in the month of June since hurricane records began in 1851. Until the formation of Hurricane Beryl, the earliest a Category 4 or 5 hurricane had formed in the northern Atlantic during a hurricane season was July 8.

While we are fortunate to live in Northern Virginia where we rarely experience direct landfall from extreme hurricanes, these storms can still bring intense winds and rainfall that cause significant flooding and property damage. Two hurricanes in recent memory, Irene in 2011 and Isabel in 2003, left a lasting mark on our Alexandria area. Isabel alone caused over $5 billion in damages from North Carolina to Pennsylvania. Our region experienced wind speeds peaking at 71 mph, resulting in severe tidal flooding and extensive tree damage. Power outages lasting a week or more were common, and Old Town's storm surge surpassed its historic record from the hurricane of 1933. 

So, what can you do to stay prepared?

You should learn the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. A watch means that hurricane conditions are possible, while a warning means that hurricane conditions are expected. Sign up for local alerts and warnings on your mobile device and listen to the local news and weather reports. Learn your community’s evacuation plan and identify evacuation routes.

Create your own evacuation plan with a place to stay and a “go bag” full of emergency items, such as bottled water, snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight, hygiene items, your medications and a change of clothes. Plan for your entire household including children, people with disabilities and access and functional needs, and pets. Your family may not be together when a hurricane occurs, or you may become separated, so it is important to know how to contact one another and how to reunite. Designate an out-of-town contact who can help your household reconnect. Be sure to practice your plan with your family.

If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, grab your “go bag” and leave immediately. If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone, you may still decide to leave the area, you may need to move to higher ground, or you may choose to stay in your home. If you decide to stay home, remember that even if the high winds and floodwaters do not reach your home, you may still lose power or water, and you may not be able to leave your home for several days if the roads are impassable. Never drive through flooded areas: even as little as 12 inches of water can carry a vehicle away. Never wade through water: floodwaters can contain dangerous debris like broken glass, metal, dead animals, sewage, gasoline, oil, and downed power lines.

Ensure your home is protected by cleaning drains and downspouts, and anchoring any outdoor furniture. Finally, collect and safeguard critical financial, medical, and legal documents. Always maintain a 3-day water and non-perishable food supply. This year, the General Assembly reinstated the annual 3-day sales tax holiday which will take place Aug. 2-4, 2024. You can purchase tax-free hurricane preparedness products like batteries, generators, 2-way radios, bottled water, and tie-down kits. For a full list of qualifying products, visit https://www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday.

Get more information by downloading the Be Smart Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan or visit ready.gov/make-a-plan.