Is Your Home in Horry County Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

Living near the ocean, residents of Horry County, South Carolina mentally prepare ourselves for the worst each hurricane season. We have to; the last thing we want is to be caught off guard by an approaching hurricane. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. In the Myrtle Beach area, we’ve encountered these natural disasters a number of times, with Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Hurricane Hazel in 1954, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and Hurricane Charley in 2004. We also can’t forget Hurricane Florence in 2018, which caused flooding throughout Horry County. Because of our experience with previous hurricanes, we understand that preparation is key, and there’s no time like the present to brush up on how to best secure your property. If you’re asking yourself if your home in Horry County is prepared for a natural disaster, the Restoration 1 of Horry County team can help with a few tips.

Protecting Your Windows and Doors in a Natural Disaster

If there’s even a suspicion that a hurricane is forming, securing your glass should be one of your top priorities. Your windows and doors can’t withstand powerful hurricane winds, and when they break, it not only risks personal injury, but also makes your home susceptible to further damage. If you don’t have storm shutters (which is a worthwhile investment in the Myrtle Beach area), pick up wooden boards to attach to the home that are at least ⅝ of an inch thick. Simply reinforcing glass with tape will not be enough for a high category storm. Purchase enough boards to cover your windows before hurricane season begins; as soon as a storm is spotted, you may be fighting the crowds to pick them up at a home improvement store. These boards protect against major water damage from occurring inside.

Secure Your Garage in a Natural Disaster

A Category 5 storm is the most severe, with winds that exceed 157 MPH. As with storm shutters, a stormproof garage door is a beneficial investment to make due to its high wind and pressure rating. Another option for securing your garage door is to install an additional brace to the inside of the door. This crucial reinforcement will protect the contents of your garage, and offers an additional layer of protection to the main home.

Prepare Outdoor Items For Storms

Outdoor furniture, grills, decor, and other items need to be brought inside or secured long before a storm makes landfall. Depending on the category of the storm, any insecure items can become projectiles that are carried away, damaging homes and endangering other people. If you have dead trees in your yard that are close to the home, have them removed so the trunk or branches aren’t carried away, either. Clean your gutters, inspect your roof, and do everything you can to minimize storm damage.

Call Restoration 1 of Horry County for Storm Damage Recovery Services

Here at Restoration 1 of Horry County, we are Myrtle Beach, SC residents ourselves. We’ve experienced these storms, so you can trust us to deliver high-quality storm recovery services following severe weather. Our team will clean up debris, handle water damage and flooding, and make any necessary repairs. Contact us this hurricane season 24/7 at 843-279-3329.

About The Author

Jake Gervin is the president of Restoration 1 of Horry County. Jake and his team of professionals are all certified by the IICRC and have years of experience in home and commercial restoration.