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Tropical cyclones, also known as tropical storms, tropical depressions, and hurricanes, can damage life and property. If you live in Florida or virtually anywhere near a coastline, you are probably well aware of how devastating these storm systems can be.

Residents of storm-prone areas are rightly advised to prepare in advance for weather warnings and evacuation orders. Many advisories emphasize reinforcing property or having plans for hunkering down.

However, it’s equally important to ensure that your automobiles are ready. Here is some advice to prepare your vehicles for hurricane season.

Why Would I Need To Protect My Car During a Storm?

There are many reasons to protect and prepare your automobile during hurricane season. Below are just a few:

• Ensures mobility during an emergency: Even if you plan to hunker down, you may need to fill a last-minute errand before a storm arrives. A car in good shape reduces the risk of a poorly timed breakdown.

   

• Increases odds of a smooth evacuation: Evacuations can be hectic and time-consuming. If you are in a flood-prone zone and leaving to avoid a storm, your car must be ready for anything. That means it needs to be tough enough to handle long distances or capable of staying idle for extended periods.

   

• Your car is still an asset: For many people, the automobile is a central facet of their lifestyles. If your car is damaged or rendered unusable after a hurricane, you may have difficulty returning to normal. Perform your due diligence now to prevent the headache of shopping for another car or raising money for costly repairs.

   

• Peace of mind: Hurricane preparations can be fast-paced and stressful affairs. You don’t want to add a broken car to your list as you brace for the storm’s fury. Prepare ahead of time, so you have one less thing to worry about.
  

Prepare Your Automobile Before the Warnings Arrive

Preparing your automobile for a hurricane has different requirements than preparing your home. Let’s review a few of the basics.

First, now is an excellent time to catch up on auto maintenance tasks you may have forgotten or missed. Start with routine things like checking tire pressure and tread wear.

Arrange an inspection with an auto mechanic to verify that your vehicle is ready for a road trip. The inspection and related tune-ups should address the following:

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Fuel and air filters
• Heater and defroster
• Lights, blinkers, and hazard lights
• Oil
• Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level
  

This is also a good time to check for essential maintenance tasks you may have ignored, like tire rotations and alignments, belt replacements, and battery condition.

Next, prepare your hurricane road kit. The Department of Homeland Security provides basic guidelines for preparing an emergency kit. You’ll want to put these supplies in a portable, easy-to-carry bag—even more so for vehicles since space is limited. 

You will also need some emergency supplies for your car. Items can include:

• Spare tire
• Battery charger
• Portable air compressor
• Jumper cables
• Map
• Emergency radio
  

Another habit you may want to adjust during hurricane season is how often you fill your gas tank. If a hurricane is imminent, gas stations will be busy and more likely to raise prices. Top off your tank beforehand so you won’t feel the squeeze when it’s go-time.

Driving Before and After a Storm

Depending on where you live, evacuating before a hurricane may be optional or required. First, check your local government’s resources to determine if you’re in an evacuation zone. Then, be familiar with the designated evacuation routes.

If you aren’t in a mandatory evacuation zone, decide whether hitting the road is part of your hurricane plan. Decide well ahead of time. The roads will become busier and more crowded as a hurricane approaches its expected landfall date.

While on the road, anticipate that conditions will differ from what you are accustomed to. Areas in the storm's path will exhibit inclement weather days before landfall. Exercise caution and be on the lookout for:

• Standing water
• Missing signs
• Malfunctioning traffic lights
• Marked detours or police signals
• Debris on the road
  

AAA has some driving safety tips for wet weather. When driving in stormy weather, be visible, leave room for other motorists, and manage your speed. It is generally advisable to not drive while a tropical cyclone is passing through your area.

After the storm, you’ll want to be careful, too. Wait for local officials to give an “all clear” before using the roadways. When that time comes, be observant and exercise caution.

Avoid standing water where possible. Water as little as 6 inches deep can cause you to lose control. Just as much as two feet can carry your vehicle away.

Power outages after a storm are to be expected. Intersections with inoperable traffic signals should be treated as multi-way stop signs. Do not attempt to exit your vehicle near a downed power line. Ideally, wait for safety crews to clear the road of debris before you hit the road again.

Protecting Your Vehicle While Hunkering Down

If you opt to stay in place during a tropical cyclone, you should anticipate that your vehicle might get damaged if left outside.

If possible, move your vehicle into your garage. Board up any windows in the garage area to minimize the chances of debris entering these vulnerable areas.

Also, use the manual lock on your garage door and disconnect it from any automatic openers. If your garage door is hit, it can become deformed. Try parking your vehicle as close to the opposite wall as possible.

You can protect your vehicle with a car cover if you can't move it into a garage. While the protection may be minimal, it may mitigate some cosmetic damage.

Take the time to review your car insurance policy to see if it covers hurricanes or flooding. If your vehicle is damaged, you may need to anticipate paying for post-storm car repairs from an emergency fund.

Staying safe during hurricane season should be your priority. Remember that your financial institution can help. Credit unions may offer lending programs to help people return to normal after severe storms.

First Florida can help you prepare for tropical cyclones. We offer personal loans if you need to pay for a last-minute car repair. We also finance car purchases. Explore our website to learn more about our financial products and eligibility.