Be Ready This Hurricane Season

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are particularly dangerous because they introduce five significant hazards: storm surge, marine safety, high winds, tornadoes, and inland flooding. Any one of these can cause considerable loss of life and damage to property. Together they represent a nearly worst-case scenario that requires extensive preparations.

1. Secure the castle. Evaluate the structural integrity of the roof, windows, doors, and garage door. Consider making improvements, such as hurricane straps, truss bracing, and gable end bracing. Install storm shutters or pre-cut 5/8-inch plywood to fit the windows. In addition to structural improvements, cut back trees and bushes, secure and clean out gutters and downspouts, and carefully stock a structurally sound room to act as a wind-resistant shelter.
2. Stay alert = Stay alive. If a hurricane warning is announced, close storm shutters or board up windows; cover skylights and glass doors. Monitor local news broadcasts for storm updates and road conditions. Gather keepsakes, valuables, and important papers on the highest level of the home, preferably in a waterproof container. Be ready to evacuate if ordered to do so by authorities.
3. Hunker down. When the hurricane arrives, the primary goal is to stay safe. Keep away from windows and glass doors. Close curtains and blinds to help protect from flying glass and other debris. Secure and brace external doors. Close all interior doors. Retreat to the shelter, making sure that it is well stocked with flashlights, batteries, water, snacks, a first aid kit, pillows and blankets, a cell phone, and some games for the kids.
4. Please check your local area for more personalized suggestions pertaining to your specific area.

NOAA expects busy hurricane season during 2013

ARTICLE | JUNE 5, 2013 | BY JEREMY LILE - JLILE@LIGHTANDCHAMPION.COM

Jeremy Lile

Ready or not, the Atlantic hurricane season has arrived. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and includes the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf Of Mexico.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center, an active or extremely active season is forecasted for this year. NOAA’s season outlook shows there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher, of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes that would be classified as category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher. NOAA reports that these ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
Jim and Ann Forbes have been volunteers for the United States Weather Service for the past 45 years. In an interview on Friday, Forbes stated, “I kind of think that predicting these hurricanes is about like a lottery system. They have a little ball come down with a number on the ball and that’s the number of hurricanes. Because I know for so many years, they would predict a great big a bunch and only got a few. Then they would predict a lesser amount and we got a greater amount. I think when you predict hurricanes, its just an educated guess.”
NOAA provided three climate factors that will strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity. First of all, a continuation of the atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995; secondly, the warmer than average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea; and thirdly, El Niño is not expected to develop and suppress hurricane formation. Forbes added “The gulf is so susceptible to hurricanes because of the warm water year round, then you get a cold front down in there and it can stir up anything.”
During the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, nineteen named storms formed, of which ten became hurricanes. Hurricane Michael was the only one of the ten that reached major hurricane status. NOAA indicates that while hurricane activity for 2012 was well above the 30 year average for named storms and hurricanes, it was below average for major hurricanes.
Hurricanes can form with little or no notice. Therefore, every home, workplace, and local business need to establish an emergency plan. It is important to know what safety measures should be taken if friends and family are not together when disaster strikes. Having an official emergency plan will also be helpful in the event it becomes necessary to evacuate. Likewise, setting up an emergency kit will be beneficial if the water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off. Preparing for the unexpected is literally a matter of life and death.
Forbes concluded, “This hurricane season could be very, very interesting but I hope they are way wrong on the number. None of the gulf coast needs a hurricane.”

Windows by All American Shutters and Glass

All American Shutters and Glass also offers hurricane windows and protection! We carry impact windows as well as non impact windows.

Our impact resistant windows have many benefits.

·         They meet Florida’s codes for hurricane force winds and flying debris

·         If the impact resistant glass cracks on impact, the inner layer keeps the window intact and in place

·         Heavy duty aluminum or vinyl frame

·         Keeps out noise

·         Protects against intruders

·         Filters out 99% of UV light

·         Tax credit for those who purchase Energy Star Certified products

·         Styles and options

·         Warranty

For those of who decide to use our non-impact windows they to have a list of benefits you will enjoy.

·         Open and close easily and quietly

·         Years of reliable performance

·         Double whether stripping

·         Interlocking meeting rails

·         Reduces noise

·         Filters out 99% of UV light

·         Tax credit for those who purchase Energy Star Certified products

·         Styles and options

·         Warranty

 

To have all of these great benefits in your home today, contact us at All American Shutters and Glass!

Florida Hurricane Shutters

Florida Hurricane shutters are the least expensive solution for protecting your windows in the event of a hurricane. If you prepare ahead of time and have the right tools handy before the storm hits, detachable hurricane shutters work well for storm protection.

Steel or aluminum Florida hurricane shutters attach to the walls around windows and doors on bolts or tracks. Storm panels are corrugated, and each piece overlaps the next for maximum strength.

Some types of detachable hurricane shutters incorporate both tracks and bolts. The top of the panel is slipped into a track above the window, and the bottom of the panel is secured to bolts that are permanently attached beneath the window.

Other types of Florida hurricane shutters use C-shaped tracks above and below the windows and doors. Bolts slide into the tracks from either side and must be manually aligned with the holes on the panels.

Another type of Florida hurricane shutter uses only bolts permanently set into the wall beside the windows and doors. They can be loosened as the panel is hung horizontally, and screwed down to secure it.

Awareness is important, however, many homeowners forget to check the hurricane shutters when they buy a home only to discover later that panels are missing or were cut improperly, or are too heavy to install themselves.

Accordion hurricane shutters

These one- or two-piece hurricane shutters are housed beside the windows or doors when not in use. They unfold accordion-style to cover and protect during a storm.

Get Hurricane Shutters to Prepare for Irene

Hurricane shutters are a necessity when living in Florida. With the approach of Hurricane Irene, Florida residents need hurricane shutters. Hurricane shutters keep your home safe from hurricanes, lower your home owner's insurance costs, lower your electric bills, and help keep you safe from break-ins.

Florida hurricane shutters with durable design are manufactured to withstand hurricane force winds. Hurricane force winds and storms will damage and possibly unprotected windows. Get hurricane shutters to protect your home during hurricanes.

With Hurricane Irene approaching the coast, now is the time to get Florida hurricane shutters to protect your windows and to protect your home. If your home has no hurricane shutters, it’s important to get hurricane shutters now.

Florida hurricane shutters are built to protect your windows from hurricane force winds and flying debris. During a hurricane, keep your Florida hurricane shutters closed tightly to protect your windows and to protect your home.

Tips to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season in the Atlantic lasts from June 1 - November 30 each and every year. For Floridians, we have hurricane season every year, but many people are not prepared for it when a big hurricane comes through. Here are a few things that you should do in order to prepare for Hurricane Season.

Purchase emergency equipment including flashlights, generators, a battery powered NOAA Weather radio, and plenty of batteries for those items. Stock up on canned food and bottled water. Make sure you have a manual can opener (an electric one won't help if you have no electricity). Be sure to clear out your loose or clogged rain gutters and downspouts. Also it's important to keep your trees and shrubs trimmed. If you own a boat, have a plan in place for where you will move your boat in the event of a hurricane. Planning is key, so be sure to learn the best evacuation routes inland. Also, pinpoint your local shelters and make an emergency plan for your pets.

If you own a home in Florida, it's important to protect it the best way you can.
Install hurricane shutters and hurricane windows if at all possible. When hurrican force winds blow through, your home will be much safer and better protected if you have hurricane shutters and windows. One of the best investments you can make in your Florida home will be installing hurricane shutters and impact resistant windows. In the event of a hurricane, you will be glad you did.

Florida Hurricane Shutters: Corrugated Panel Shutters

Florida Hurricane Shutters: Corrugated Panel Shutters

Florida Hurricane shutters come in steel, clear plastic or aluminum. These corrugated panels attach to the walls around windows and doors. The can also attach to bolts on tracks so that they slide open and closed. Because Florida Hurricane panels are corrugated, each piece overlaps the next for maximum strength.
Florida Hurricane Shutters Can be Mounted in the Following Ways:
Tracks & Bolts
Florida corrigated panel shuttersThe top of the panel is slipped into a track above the window, and the bottom of the panel is secured to bolts that are permanently attached beneath the window.

F-shaped Tracks Tracks are mounted above and below the windows and doors.
Bolts slide into the tracks from either side and must be manually aligned with the holes on the panels.

Screws & Anchors
Screws & anchors are permanently set into the wall beside the windows and doors
They can be loosened as the panel is hung horizontally or vertically, and screwed down to secure it.

Studcons with Wingnuts
Studcons & wingnuts are permanently set into the wall beside the windows and doors.
The panels can be rested on the studcons until the wing nuts are tightened.

Florida Hurricane Shutters: Why Corrugated Panels?Corrugated Hurricane Panels are the least expensive type of Florida Hurricane Shutter. Corrugated Florida Hurricane panels are removable. Corrugated Florida Hurricane panels are strong, and provide adequate hurricane protection for both doors and windows. Corrugated Florida Hurricane panels are Miami Dade or Florida Building Code approved.