![]() ![]() "First, preparing yourself and your family can often prevent serious injury or even mean the difference between life and death. ![]() "There are two big ideas to keep in mind as you plan to ensure the safety of your family and your personal property," Criswell said. "After last year's record setting hurricane season in the middle of a global pandemic, I assure you we are more prepared than ever for the threats that may come along this year," said FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.Īs FEMA, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center prepare for the 2021 hurricane season, so should you, Criswell said. Although it's expected to have an above-average number of storms, it won't be as busy as 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced May 20. The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1. It's hurricane season. Why wait until you're in the cone of uncertainty to prepare? Plus, the ER310’s durable body can stand up to heavy rain or a drop onto a hard surface.Watch Video: Hurricane season is here. It was also one of the few radios we tested that lived up to its crank-generating claims: We found that just one minute of cranking produced 10 minutes of radio time or a few minutes of flashlight use. The ER310’s convenient size makes it comfortable to carry, so it’s easier to grab on the go in the case of an imminent storm. It can also receive NOAA extreme-weather alerts, providing notifications that are both loud and readily visible so you won’t miss any warnings. The Midland offers better reception, a brighter flashlight, and more-effective charging options than other models we tested, including the ability to charge from dead through solar power or hand-cranking. We think your best option is a dedicated emergency weather radio, specifically the Midland ER310. You’ll need “some kind of way to listen to a radio station because TV stations may be out,” Reichel told us. Whether you’re evacuating from a hurricane or sheltering in place, it’s crucial to keep tabs on the status of the storm. (And that’s why you should never run one of these indoors or even in your garage with the doors open.) ![]() The EU2200i also has an onboard carbon monoxide detector that shuts the generator down if a concentration of the deadly gas gets too high, which can happen if the generator is running in an enclosed area. This is a relatively new feature that not many generators have. In addition, you can easily monitor the Honda’s power output through a Bluetooth-connected app, so during an outage you can manage (and maximize) the generator’s operation from indoors. Starting a gas engine can be frustrating, and that alone could keep someone from buying a generator, but only the EU2200i started on the first pull of the cord every single time we used it. The Honda was the quietest, lightest, and most powerful generator we looked at- it even exceeded its listed capabilities and powered household items that caused the other tested generators to overload. The EU2200i is not big enough to power an entire house, but with some smart power management, you can use it to keep the essentials going during an emergency. We tested four 2,200-watt generators for our guide to portable generators, and it was clear that the Honda EU2200i is the best. “Be prepared for some primitive living without power for a while,” said Claudette Reichel, a building science specialist at Louisiana State University who trains housing professionals on disaster resilience as well as on hurricane and flood recovery. If you’re riding out a hurricane at home, the most crucial items to have on hand are the things that will help you communicate with the outside world, find your way in the dark, and protect your belongings. The ThruNite Archer 2A V3 flashlight and Black Diamond Spot 350 headlamp have lit our paths since 2017, and the Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon has been our portable water storage pick for eight years running. With climate change causing hurricanes to intensify in strength and speed, reliability is more important than ever, and many of our picks in this guide have proven themselves during hurricanes time and again with staffers from Florida to New York. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 12 to 17 named storms for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. How destructive will it be? Will it shift direction and come right at you? Will you have to evacuate? As unsettling as these questions are, there’s a lot you can do to get ready for one of these megastorms, from staying informed to making sure you have the right gear and completing a few relatively simple home improvements. Hurricanes have terrifying power, and because of their sheer scope and unpredictability, each one presents variables that are totally out of your control. ![]()
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