Hurricanes wreak havoc along the East Coast—dumping rain, causing power outages and creating high winds and tornadoes that can lead to life-threatening situations and millions of dollars in property damage.

More recently, Hurricane Ida was one of the most devastating and costliest on record. Fifty-five deaths were directly attributed to Ida’s flooding, high winds and tornadoes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated damages to be $76.5 billion—the fifth highest following hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Maria and Sandy.

Residents can be proactive and take these steps to protect their home and property:

• Cut and remove overhanging trees and branches that pose a threat to buildings
• Inspect roof conditions and make necessary repairs to prevent and minimize storm damage
• Clear gutters to avoid unnecessary water damage
• Board up windows with cut-to-fit plywood
• Secure any objects that may become airborne in strong winds
• Review insurance policies to determine that the proper type and amount of coverage is in place

Another top priority is keeping yourself and your family safe by establishing a communications plan and having emergency items ready in case of an evacuation. Consult Virginia Farm Bureau’s Hurricane Preparedness Central for:

• A free family communications plan for download
• Tools for determining your risk of severe weather disasters
• Items to include in an emergency kits
• Tips on what to do before, during and after a storm

While hurricane season is officially from June through November, weather experts caution that tropical storms could develop earlier. In recent years, multiple hurricane seasons have begun before June, and officials at the National Hurricane Center are discussing whether to move the start of hurricane season up to mid-May.