After living in Florida for over 10 years, I have ridden out my fair share of hurricanes. When hurricanes make landfall, I have learned that it is essential to be well-prepared and have all the necessary supplies readily available to be ready for an unexpected storm.

Last year, Hurricane Milton struck the Tampa area, causing over $119 billion in damage. My grandfather, who lives in Central Florida, felt a much heavier impact compared to what I saw down here in Miami.

He lives on a ranch in a very heavily wooded area, and during the storm, multiple trees fell as the lake near his home overflowed. Hurricanes like Milton are unpredictable, and even if the storm isn’t projected to hit a specific area, it is still vital to be ready in case the path shifts, as it did for my Grandpa.

In September of 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall on the southwestern tip of Florida. To prepare, my family and I purchased a full tank of gas, a case of water for each family member, and boards to protect the windows of our home. Fortunately, we had prepared by installing windows designed to withstand a hurricane’s impact, so we didn’t have to focus too much on putting up shutters.

During and after the hurricane, neighborhoods appeared desolate and deserted. The power had been knocked out, and my family and I tried to brighten the mood by creating fun and unique activities during this period. For example, I remember we’d spray-paint the boards on a few of our windows to try to lighten the mood.

As hurricane Irma slowly approached Florida, my family and I would head to local stores like Home Depot and Publix, ultimately to find out that everything had been sold out. Waiting to get supplies for storms can be detrimental, so I can not urge those in the path of a storm to get everything together at the start of hurricane season. In the event of a power outage, we ensured that we had non-perishable food and flashlights.

I also suggest a small, battery-powered fan, as Florida can get extremely hot without air conditioning. After the storm, we drove around the neighborhood to assess the damage. Some trees had fallen, and a few signs had been ripped out of the ground, but thankfully, nothing significant had happened.

While this was the case this time, I’ve learned that it is essential to take these storms seriously, regardless of where/when they occur. After witnessing the devastation that hurricanes can cause, I can confirm that all of these steps are essential for everyone’s safety when riding out a storm.

Items left in our yard could have been turned into projectiles that may have damaged an individual or their home, so we brought those in. If an evacuation order is issued, we decided that the best course of action was to follow it and leave the area. Hurricane Erin could have easily made landfall in Miami, so we made sure to be well-prepared this season just in case things took a turn for the worse.

Ultimately, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of these storms. Every year, the start of hurricane season has become a tradition for my family. We go out early and prepare, gathering all the essentials in case of a storm. Witnessing the devastation hurricanes cause was a pivotal moment in my life. Before this, I wouldn’t have batted an eye at the news that a hurricane was coming. Now, I understand the significance of being ready long before it makes landfall.