Jones Group Realtors®
Linda Michaud, Jones Group Realtors®Phone: (413) 478-2676
Email: [email protected]

Your Guide to Sheltering from Extreme Weather

by Linda Michaud 03/20/2023

Sometimes when severe weather happens, the safest thing to do is remain indoors. However, for certain weather events with strong winds like tornadoes and hurricanes, there are some parts of your home that are safer than others. Here is a basic guide for how to shelter in your home to stay safe from extreme weather:

Where to Shelter In Your House

  • Basement - The basement is usually the safest place to shelter from extreme weather. If your home has a basement, make sure it's stocked with emergency supplies.
  • Bathroom - Bathrooms can be effective places to shelter as long as they don't share any walls with the outside of the home. A good shelter should be as far inside the house as possible and have no windows.
  • Hallway - An interior hallway can make a good shelter, provided you're able to close off access from the outside. This would mean closing all of the doors to put as many barriers between you and the weather as possible.

What About Apartments or Mobile Homes?

In an apartment building, the safest place to shelter is on the ground floor. If you live on an upper floor, head downstairs to a common area or neighbor's home to shelter. If your apartment building has a laundry room or utility room without windows, these are also options for sheltering from extreme weather.

Mobile homes are extremely vulnerable to strong winds and other extreme weather. Experts recommend leaving your mobile home to shelter in a sturdy building to lower your risk. It's crucial to prepare for an emergency so you can find shelter before the worst of the storm arrives.

Sheltering Supplies

Wherever you shelter in your home, you should have basic emergency supplies prepared. The American Red Cross recommends keeping a minimum of 3 days worth of water and non-perishable food items for each member of the household. Some other things to include in your kit:

  • Flashlight
  • Battery Powered Radio
  • First Aid Kit
  • Copies of personal documents
  • Pet supplies

If extreme weather forces you to shelter in your home, it's important to be prepared. Keep these tips in mind when formulating your own household emergency plan.

About the Author
Author

Linda Michaud

Welcome to my website www.lindamichaudhomes.com. 

I can work for you in Hampshire and Franklin counties. Whether you are buying or selling, I will help you achieve your goals.        

Community and school information for Amherst MA, Hadley MA, South Hadley MA, Hampshire and surrounding towns. You can also find the latest town and Real Estate News, up to the minute listings alerts of New Listings, Price Changes, Back on Markets, Open Houses, Virtual Tours, and much more information about Amherst MA Real Estate, Hadley MA Real Estate, South Hadley MA Real Estate, Hampshire County Real Estate and surrounding towns from my blog.

The Hampshire area schools are fantastic.  Some links you may want to check out follow are below.  As always, please contact me directly to help you answer questions about local schools.

www.arps.org - This site will also take you to the Leverett, Shutesbury, and Pelham schools
www.hadleyschools.org
www.nps.northampton.ma.us
www.ses.sunderland.ma.us/
www.deerfield.edu/
www.southhadleyschools.org/