South Carolina has not endured a single federally declared disaster since 2007; we are the only state with a clean record. With the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season beginning on June 1, however, only time will tell how long our streak will last. In times like these, forgetting the danger of natural disasters could leave us more vulnerable than ever.

Make sure that you’re ready to weather the storm with these tips from Ready.gov:

Know what to do, who to call, and where to go.

Make a game plan for your family. Consider these suggestions:

1. Decide how, when, and where to evacuate, and map out your routes.
2. Determine what to take with you, including medications, personal items, important documents, and pets.
3. Identify a nonlocal contact and memorize their number.
4. Decide how you will get in touch with your family if you are separated or if phone lines and towers are down.
5. Determine what you will do if your home or business is powerless for as much as three weeks.

Fortify your home and business.

While no home could withstand all that Mother Nature has to offer, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage. Here are a few suggestions to secure your home against the winds and floods of a hurricane:

1. Install permanent hurricane shutters or have cut 5/8″ thick marine plywood to fit each window in your home.
2. Secure your garage door and reinforce your roof with specially-designed clips or straps.
3. Move loose furniture and decorations inside and out of the wind.
4. Store adequate food and water for each person, flashlights, and radios in your home.

Secure your financial assets.

Recovery from a hurricane is a long and expensive process and often hits the pockets of homeowners the hardest. Build a savings account to pay for your evacuation and related costs. Also, make sure your home is insured against the full damage brought by hurricanes. Wind and flood damage are often not included in the homeowner’s standard policy and may require additional coverage. Talk With your insurance agent to make sure that you have the coverage you need.

You can find more information and tips about what to do before, during, and after a storm online at www.ready.gov. We wish you a safe, uneventful hurricane season!

What steps have you taken to prepare your home and family for a hurricane?