1. Reinforce your home by installing storm-resistant
windows, hurricane shutters or hurricane fabric, especially if severe storms
are a regular part of life in your region.
2. Invest in an impact-resistant garage door (these are indicated
by a special sticker), or reinforce your existing door at minimal cost by
nailing planks of plywood or steel to the door's back. A garage is often the
primary point where wind enters and damages a home, and garage doors are often
made from flimsy materials.
3. Keep a close eye on the trees in your yard to make sure
they are disease-free, strong and upright. If a tree seems to be rotting, dead
or starting to lean to one side, you should consider having the tree cut down
or removed entirely. A diseased or weak tree can mean major damage to your home
in the event of a severe storm, whether by falling into the house itself or by
tree branches breaking off and flying into windows.
4. Check the ground around your foundation. To prevent water
from entering your home during severe rainstorms or even hurricanes, it's
important that the ground slopes down from around the foundation. If the ground
surrounding your home slopes toward your foundation, that is a problem. You can
fix this issue easily yourself---simply fill the downward sloping area with
some dirt and plant grass seed, elevating your lawn around your home and
keeping water out of your basement (or other floors, should the entering water
rise).