Here are a few steps you can take to help you be ready in the event of a natural disaster. Flood- keep gutters as clean as possible to avoid blockages. If your house gets flooded, first contact your insurance company to find out if you're covered and what they recommend. Pump out standing water (only a few feet a day to avoid foundation cave-ins) and contact a contractor to begin the process of replacing floors and repairing the exterior of the home. Hurricanes- Think about installing impact resistant windows and exterior doors with deadbolts and at least three hinges. Garage doors should have metal stiffeners installed so that they won't be ripped off by severe winds. Prune shrubbery and large tree branches that look susceptible to gusts. Tornadoes- Install impact resistant windows and doors and shore up roofs and garages. Have a professional check your foundation. The damage a tornado does depends on it's path,so, it's important to develop a safety plan that includes a tornado shelter or interior rooms for personal cover.

Blog inspired by article written by Heather Hendrick featured on exovations.com and can be seen here:  http://www.exovations.com/blog/index.php/2011/05/what-you-can-do-now-to-protect-your-home-from-a-natural-disaster/#more-187