12 Hurricane Preparation Tips

Every year I look to see if my name will be included as a possible Hurricane. Tropical Storm Jeff in 1981 was described as a weak tropical storm that never affected land. 1988 was the last year for Jeff but it remained a Tropical Storm over open Waters. Storms are kind of like gambling. Unlike Vegas though usually you win, and nothing happens. But if you gamble too much….

This year there are a projected 23 storms in Florida.  More storms = more risk! Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Francine, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce…..None named Jeff!  As a matter of fact, there isn’t a Jeff through at least 2028. But I did see my Spanish name, Oscar on the 2024 list.

My first notable sales job took place at the end of Senior Year at Highland Park High School, class of 1987.  My final grade in Spanish was a 79.4%. The rule then was, you could graduate and not have to take the finals if you had a B.  I was the only senior in the class and politely raised my hand. Doctor Arrazola, the Spanish teacher, said, “Yes, Oscar”. I shot back, “Doc, it’s a 79.4%. C’mon, give me the B. Can’t we round up one tenth of a percentage point”.  Doc went on about grade integrity, but my pain resonated with the Juniors, some who mostly could see themselves in this predicament next year. A battle cry went out throughout the class, “Let Oscar pass. Let Oscar pass!”  Doc finally said “enough! I shouldn’t do this, but I’ll give you the B, Oscar.” My populist gamble paid off.

I took the Spanish name, Oscar, after the 1977 White Sox hitman and the owner of the coolest afro of all time, Oscar Gamble. Bill Veeck gambled on Oscar Gamble for one glorious season. It was rent a player for a year. After that the team was dismantled into the dark ages for a few years. That was until this year. The White Sox are currently 15-47, surpassed the foulest losing streak since the Black Sox days of 1924 (projected for 39 wins and displacing the 1962 NY Mets for worst team in the modern area) and I receive sympathies from all fans around the country thanking me for the wins after they play my Sox, but that is for another Jeff’s Journal.

But for this Jeff’s Journal, it’s also about Hurricane preparation and with 23 probable storms, we might get an early one.  So don’t Gamble with a possible Oscar, and plan now.  Here are 12 essential Hurricane tips you need to be aware of.

12 Essential Tips – Your Action Plan for Storm Protection

1. Install Protective Shutters: If you don’t have impact glass, install protective shutters. Make sure you have someone on-call who can help with this if needed.

2. Inventory and Photograph Belongings: Document and photograph your belongings and property. This is crucial for insurance purposes in the event of damage.

3. Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in all patio furniture and yard decor to prevent them from becoming damaging projectiles in strong winds.

4. Have Cash Available: Keep cash on hand for use during extended power outages or unexpected evacuations.

5. Fuel Your Vehicle: Make sure your gas tank is full. Have backup fuel containers for your car or portable generators. For electric vehicle owners, consider having a generator available.

6. Replenish Essential Supplies: Stock up on flashlights, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.

7. Stock Up on Food and Water: Have non-perishable food items that don’t require refrigeration or microwaving. Ensure you have clean drinking water, with one gallon per person per day recommended for up to two weeks. Fill bathtubs with water for flushing toilets and cleaning dishes.

8. Consider Removing or Cutting Patio Screens: To prevent excess structural damage, remove or cut patio screens, allowing wind to blow through and reducing the risk of collapse. Structural damages are much more expensive than just replacing the screens.

9. Turn Off Water When Away: If you’re not at the property, turn off the water to avoid potential flooding. Consider flood insurance,  especially as a tropical storm that isn’t a hurricane, as overage can vary for different types of storms and this can make a difference in an insurance claim getting accepted or not.

10. Invest in Long-term Preparations: Enhance your home’s storm resilience by upgrading to impact glass, replacing the roof, and purchasing a generator. These improvements offer insurance savings and increased safety, especially for health needs and general peace of mind. Most homes built in the last 15 years have impact glass so the return on investment is really there.  Plus, older glass starts to fog up and windows need to be replaced at some point. The Importance and return on investment of impact glass

11. Consider Surge Protection: Purchase a surge shield protection plan from FPL to protect motor-driven appliances like your A.C. and electrical items. This service can be installed without needing to enter your home. Here is a link to the FPL Surge Protection.

12) Bookmark our  Vendor list in your ❤️favorites.

Remember chance favors the prepared person. Best not to Gamble!

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Jeff Lichtenstein, originally from Chicago, got his start in the home furnishings textile business where he traveled over 35 weeks a year selling fabrics. After the family business was sold, Jeff moved to Florida and became a real estate agent. Today he is the owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a luxury residential brokerage voted best brokerage of the year. Jeff manages a non-traditional model of real estate that mimics a traditional business model. Echo has 80 agents, an average of one million dollars per transaction and over 500 million in annual sales. Between traveling for work and annual family trips to national parks with his wife and 2 now adult children, Jeff has visited 49 states. He is also one of the few Chicago White Sox fans you’ll ever meet.  Some publications he has been quoted in.

Author of business & leadership book How Making a Sandwich Can Change Your World –  The Amazing Success of the PB&J Strategy – Available to Buy Now!

Feel free to ask him a question directly at [email protected] including a complementary  valuation of your home.

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About the author

Jeff Lichtenstein, originally from Chicago, got his start in the home furnishings textile business where he traveled over 35 weeks a year selling fabrics. After the family business was sold, Jeff moved to Florida and became a real estate agent. Today he is the owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a luxury residential brokerage voted best brokerage of the year. Jeff manages a non-traditional model of real estate that mimics a traditional business model. Echo has 100 agents, an average of one million dollars per transaction and over 500 million in annual sales. Between traveling for work and annual family trips to national parks with his wife and 2 now adult children, Jeff has visited 49 states. He is also one of the few Chicago White Sox fans you’ll ever meet. Some publications he has been quoted in.

Author of business & leadership book How Making a Sandwich Can Change Your World – The Amazing Success of the PB&J Strategy – Available to Buy Now!

Feel free to ask him a question directly at [email protected] including a complementary valuation of your home.

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