According to this Herald News article,, Hurricane Lee, the season’s most powerful hurricane, is heading north along the eastern United States coast and may make landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada. As of Thursday morning, forecasters recommended that preparations for Lee should be completed by Friday from eastern New England to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. High winds, heavy rain, rough surf, and coastal flooding can be expected in at least coastal areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island over the weekend.

Here are some tips from The Herald News on how to prepare for a hurricane:

• Have an emergency plan: Make sure everyone knows what to do and where all your supplies are.

• Stock up on supplies: Put together an emergency kit good for three to five days.

• Stay powered: Have at least one flashlight and spare batteries.

• Stay connected: Keep a battery-powered radio on hand to receive emergency messages.

• Look out for others: Prepare for your pets, and check on elderly neighbors.

Your emergency kit should include nonperishable food and water for several days, spare flashlights and extra batteries, disinfectant and hand sanitizer, face masks, a cellphone battery pack and charging cables, a whistle to signal for help, a plastic tarp and duct tape.

Get your house and car ready for the storm:

• Secure your house so nothing flies around and causes damage.

• Trim or cut down weak tree limbs that could break in high winds.

• Consider keeping plywood on hand to cover windows if you’re in an area with especially high winds or at risk of flying debris.

• Put at least half a tank of gas in your vehicles in case you need to evacuate.

• Keep the car parked away from trees — in a garage, if you can, or in a secure location.

Do not tape your windows. It’s an ineffective myth, and can actually be more harmful if a window does shatter — glass fragments may break into larger, deadlier pieces. Stay safe!

Take The Proper Safety Precautions
During and after the storm, stay indoors unless necessary. Avoid flood-prone areas and drive cautiously. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the utility company. Assess your property for damage, ensuring electrical and gas lines are intact. Avoid walking through floodwaters due to hidden hazards or harmful chemicals. Don’t return home until given the all-clear if evacuated. Operate power generators outside of enclosed spaces like garages.

Are You Properly Insured?
It’s never too late to get the proper home, auto or personal insurance coverages in place to properly protect your assets from nature’s wrath. Now is the time to connect with a Pearson Wallace agent to review your policy(s) to prevent an unforeseen financial burden.