0 1 8 STORM SEASON GUIDE

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1 STORM SEASON GUIDE

2 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS 101 When it comes to hurricanes, there s no such thing as being too prepared. The key to weathering any storm is to have the right tools. This includes having the right supplies, plan, and information to keep you and your loved ones safe at all times. The home repair and leak specialists at Flex Seal Family of Products have put together a comprehensive guide to improve your hurricane preparedness, help you weather the storm, and inform you on what you can do after the storm passes. Hurricane Preparedness PLAN Making a plan before a potential emergency situation is a critical component to getting through hurricane season safely. The Flex Seal team has put together their best tips and advice for what to do before, during, and after a storm rolls through your area. 2

3 PREPARE Assign a meeting place or location for you and your family in the event you get separated. TIP: Make sure to pick a safe location (like a public shelter) in addition to your home. Write down important phone numbers, including those of family members, and distribute to all family members. Learn how to turn off all electricity, gas, and water and assign one adult to do so (should that be necessary). Find out where the nearest shelter is and how to navigate the appropriate evacuation routes. TIP: If you have pets, call your local shelters ahead of time to find out if they allow them. (Every shelter does not accept pets/animals.) Store your most valuable possessions in a water safe container and place it in the most secure area in your home. Make sure your vehicles are in a safe place and relocate if necessary. Check door and windowsills for any openings or cracks. In order to prevent any water from getting into your home and causing damage, seal and protect the area with FLEX SEAL Family of Products. Gather all of the necessary supplies to last your family for at least ten days. This includes, but not limited to, water, non-perishable food, batteries, medications, and first aid kit. Clean and fill your bathtubs with water in the event water lines are damaged. (This water is not intended for drinking water) Check your insurance policy to ensure you have the adequate coverage. (Note: flood damage may not be covered by all regular insurance policies.) For more information on hurricane preparedness visit, ready.gov. 3

4 WEATHERING THE STORM If you re not in an area that s recommended for or mandates evacuation, plan to stay indoors. Stay away from windows and/or glass doors. If the power goes out, use flashlights in the dark. Avoid using candles. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and only open when absolutely necessary. Prevent any contact with floodwater as best as possible. This water may be contaminated and may contain dangerous materials and bacteria. If water does begin to enter your home, Flex Seal, Flex Tape, and Flex Shot are all great products made to STOP LEAKS FAST and can be used on wet surfaces. Listen to local authority updates and turn off power and water mains if instructed to do so. 4

5 RECOVER & REPAIR Listen to local officials for storm updates and instructions. Inform family members and friends that you are safe. If evacuated, return to your home only when authorities instruct you that it s safe to return. Do your best to avoid any debris or downed power lines. Avoid walking or driving through any floodwaters. These waters have the potential to knock you down or may contain electrical charges. Assess any damage to your home. Photograph the damages so you may file the proper insurance claims. Get a professional to check water, gas, electric and sewer lines. Prevent any further major damage to your property. Flex Seal Storm Emergency Kit and Hurricane Prep Kit are great tools to have in order to make these quick and easy repairs. Flex Seal Storm Hurricane Prep Kit Emergency Kit 5

6 WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? Knowledge is the best hurricane preparedness skill you can have. Below are a list of important key terms and definitions you should know in order to keep you and your family safe and prepared. 6

7 TERM Tropical Depression Tropical Storm Hurricane Hurricane Watch Hurricane Warning Storm Surge Eye Wall DEFINITION A presence of a closed circulation and maximum sustained wind speed is 38 mph or less. When a tropical depression moves over a closed circulation and sustained winds range from 39 mph to 73 mph. When the closed circulation becomes an eye and the maximum sustained winds are 74 mph or more. A hurricane is possible in your area within the next 48 hours. A hurricane is possible in your area within the next 36 hours. (Note: The warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water and waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.) An increase in normal sea water levels caused by a tropical storm or hurricane. The outer bands immediately surrounding the eye of the storm. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? The system is still quite disorganized. The storm is now capable of causing minimal wind damage. The wind and surge damage that this system is capable of is now more significant. 1. Monitor your local weather authorities for official updates. 2. Secure any loose outdoor objects. 3. Fuel your vehicles. 4. Cover glass and/or fragile doors and windows with protective materials. 1. Continue your preparations from the hurricane watch advisory. 2. Follow all steps outlined in the PREPARE section of the Hurricane Preparedness Plan. This can occur even before the eye of the storm makes landfall and can cause devastation to areas of low elevation. Here are usually where the strongest winds of the storm occur. Eye The center of a severe tropical storm or hurricane. This is the relatively calm part of the system where winds are generally weak and skies can appear clear or partly cloudy. American GFS Model The European Model Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Predicts a storm s projected path. A model for predicting hurricanes in the mid-latitudes. A scale that classifies hurricanes in categories 1 through 5 based on wind speed. [See scale below.] This is the global forecast system storm model, run by the National Weather Service Run by the European Centre for Medium- Range Weather Forecasts. This scale is commonly used to rate the damage potential of the hurricane. 7

8 SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE: CATEGORY WIND SPEEDS (MPH) POTENTIAL DAMAGE or higher Some damage. May include damage to roof, shingles, and gutters, tree branches, power lines and poles, which will likely result in power outages. Extensive damage. May include major damage to roofs and siding. Many trees may be uprooted or snapped. Power outages that may last several days to weeks. Devastating damage. Homes may incur major damage such as, removal of roof decking and gable ends. Uprooted trees may cause road blocks. Power and water outages that may last several days to weeks. Catastrophic damage. Severe damage to homes such as total loss of roof and/or exterior walls. Downed power poles and fallen trees. Power and water outages that may last several weeks to months. Most of area may be unhabitable. Catastrophic damage. Most homes will be destroyed. Fallen trees and power lines will isolate residential areas. Most of area may be unhabitable due to power and water outages that may last several weeks to months. 8

9 HURRICANE HELP GUIDE You can improve your hurricane preparedness by adding some Flex Seal Family of Products to your readiness plan. Check out the guide below for how you can use our super strong, sealant and adhesive products before and after a storm rolls in. In an emergency situation, where water may be leaking into your home, apply Flex Seal to the compromised area to stop the leak fast. Flex Seal can be applied to wet surfaces, but for a more effective application reapply another coat when area is dry. Gutters, attics, and/or other hard-toreach places may be susceptible to water damage during a storm. Prevent potential water damage by applying Flex Seal prior to a storm s arrival. (You may also use Flex Seal to repair any damages to these areas caused by the storm s aftermath.) 9

10 If your gutters clog, your window wells could become seriously flooded during a storm. This flooding could cause water to pour into your home through the window. Cover window wells with a weatherresistant tarp and secure with Flex Tape for a watertight seal. In the event your home s shingles or siding may get damaged in a storm, you can repair with Flex Tape for a reliable, immediate solution to prevent any further damage until a more permanent solution can be executed. Wrap any valuables, electronics, and anything susceptible to water damage in a heavy-duty polyurethane tarp and use Flex Tape to secure shut for a watertight seal. Cover any vulnerable windows or doors with a heavy-duty, polyurethane tarp and seal with Flex Tape to prevent water from entering your home should they get damaged in the storm. If you find any of your exterior doors have large gaps or holes, you can seal them with Flex Tape to prevent any water leaks during the storm. (Note: Flex Tape isn t meant to be temporary; the longer it s adhered to your surfaces, the stronger it becomes. In order to remove it successfully after the storm, use a heat gun to loosen the bond and isopropyl alcohol to remove any excess adhesive.) 10

11 Severe storms can cause cracks in your home s foundations. For a quick emergency fix, seal the crack with Flex Shot. Prior to a hurricane or storm, search your home s windows and doors for any leaks or cracks and apply Flex Shot for a waterproof seal. Hurricane force winds can cause rock walls, light fixtures, tiles, and other exterior objects to fall off your home. For a strong, effortless fix you can use Flex Glue to secure the object back in place. If an emergency situation occurs (especially one that involves water) Flex Glue is the best option to instantly bond, repair, or seal the damage. Keeping water away from your foundation is critical when there is a lot of rain. Downspout extenders are a great way to prevent excess water damage around your home during a storm. Flex Seal Liquid is an easy and simple way to securely attach downspout extenders to your home s gutters. Fallen trees or other objects can cause large holes in your roof. You can easily repair these yourself by using a dry wall patch or heavy screen and covering with Flex Seal Liquid for a watertight patch. Severe flooding can cause basement or outside walls to dampen or crack. Apply Flex Seal Liquid to these walls with a roller prior to a storm to create a waterproof barrier. 11

12 WHERE CAN I FIND FLEX SEAL FAMILY OF PRODUCTS? Flex Seal Storm Emergency Kit Hurricane Prep Kit 12