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Six of the 10 costliest hurricanes on record in the United States have happened in the last five years. In 2021, hurricanes led to 68 deaths in the US, and Hurricane Ida alone damaged as many as 212,000 cars.
Just four years earlier, Irma and Harvey took out roughly four times as many vehicles.
The takeaway? Everyone at risk should have a hurricane preparedness plan ready to roll on June 1 every year. (The Atlantic hurricane season in the US goes from June through November.)
If you live near the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes and tropical storms tend to blow through, you can prepare by purchasing the right home and auto insurance, assembling a well-stocked emergency kit and creating an evacuation plan for your family in case a storm should get serious.
But have you also thought about what you need to do to prepare your car before a hurricane hits?
Cars can be costly to replace or repair in the aftermath of a hurricane. Here are some tips you’ll want to keep in mind.
Preparing Your Car Before the Storm
In advance of any inclement weather, make sure your car is in good working condition. That way, you can leave without a problem if you need to evacuate, said Roszell Gadson, a spokesman for State Farm insurance company.
The US Department of Homeland Security advises car owners to have a mechanic check the following before anticipated natural disasters:
- Antifreeze levels
- Battery and ignition system
- Brakes
- Exhaust system
- Fuel and air filters
- Heater and defroster
- Lights and flashing hazard lights
- Oil
- Thermostat
- Windshield-wiper equipment and washer fluid level
The auto club AAA recommends keeping your gas tank full prior to the onset of stormy weather. If you get in the habit of keeping your tank nearly full during hurricane season, you won’t end up stuck in ridiculously long gas station lines the day before a storm.
Consider signing up for a gas rewards program to keep costs down; fuel prices are expected to…
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