Hurricanes have always been known to be extremely powerful in nature. They can be devastating and very unpredictable when it comes to where and when they will travel and how long they will affect an area. Now hurricanes are getting more powerful in recent years and science suggest they will continue on this path. The speed in which they travel has been slowing down and causing them to gain more momentum while simultaneously hovering over areas longer than they ever have. This has lead to far greater damage than what's normally predicted from these monsters. When the storm hovers over land longer enough it creates massive flooding issues and the storms high winds are able to wreak havoc on anything and everything. Being prepared for anything the storm may present you with in this situation is absolutely paramount.
There are many ways in which to protect yourself if a hurricane sets it's line of sights upon your home. Though some of these preparations may be overboard while some not enough, it's best to practice each and every one of these steps to be better prepared for any scenario. I want to mention again that hurricanes are proving to get more and more powerful as the years go on, so making sure you know exactly what to do in this situation can not only help save your home, but more importantly, you and your loved ones. It's always best to over prepare than under prepare.
Make A Plan
Planning is a bit tricky considering the storms momentum and trajectory may change at any given moment. But that doesn't change what you should plan for. Always plan your evacuation route should there be a mandatory order or you decide to leave the area before the storm gets to you. It's critical here that if you decide to leave the area, leave well before the storm arrives. I've seen too many stories about people who decide much too late. A hurricane will not allow you to hop in your car and leave the area once it arrives and most EMS services will not be able to get to you if the storm is bad enough. Though honorable, your willpower is most likely not stronger than a Category 5 hurricane. Please don't test this. If you're told to leave the area asap, please do so.
Take Shelter
You should always know where you are going to hold out if the storm is approaching or directly over you. If available, it's best to be in the basement of your home or a bunker. This will provide shelter if the more fragile parts of your home are damaged and begin flying through the air. You will also be sheltered from flying glass from broken windows, trees and tree branches, trash cans, fences, etc. Almost everything you see outside become airborne projectiles if presented with high enough winds. If you don't have a basement, try and find a good central area of your home that isn't in the line of sight of windows. This will most likely keep you better protected than a bedroom with windows.
Along with this, it's a good idea to secure your shelter. This can be accomplished by boarding up your windows or installing storm shutters, removing outside decorations (potted plants, flags, lawn ornaments, trampolines, etc), moving your car to inside your garage or out from under trees and just generally making sure you're not leaving anything out. Whatever can be picked up can become a projectile.
Stock Up
Before I go into this one, I want to mention that hoarding is not the answer here. This only leads to shortages for other people who will be needing supplies as well. Recent events have showed us what happens when people get scared and begin to hoard products for themselves (.... toilet paper being No.1, of all things). Please think of your neighbor and refrain from hoarding.
With that being said, it's important to stock up on the essentials. Try to stay away from refrigerated foods and snacks. What you're looking for is non-perishables or long lasting items like canned foods, beans, tuna, peanut butter, rice, etc. Try and get foods that you can eat directly as they are, as you may encounter a situation without electricity to cook them with.
Along with food and water, remember to get or find your emergency aid kit and keep it in the same area as your shelter. If something happens that needs medical attention you'll be thankful you have an aid kit with you.
Power Devices
One of the most dangerous aspects of a super storm like this hovering over an area for a long amount of time is the lack of electricity that accompanies it. The storm will most likely knock down trees and power lines that make it almost impossible for companies to keep the power on, not to mention it's extremely dangerous for the workers to fix the issues until the storm subsides. This can leave you without power for days.
One of the best and most important tips for preparing for a hurricane is to get a power generator. This can power your entire house, electronics, stove, etc. If you don't have electricity you may not be able to cook the food you have, power you cell phone to call for help, heat your home, and in some cases power medical devices. A generator can solve all of those issues.
It's also a good idea to have some good, old-fashion flight lights with a bunch of extra batteries (of all sizes) around. A lot of people these days rely of their phones for this. But if you are using your phone to keep of the weather, talking to friends and family, entertainment and now a flashlight, you'll quickly realize how fast that little battery runs out. It's very easy and cheap to pick up some flashlights and batteries.
Prepare for Hurricane Season
Preparing yourself and your home for hurricane season can save you a ton of trouble in the long run. If you do it correctly and give it a just bit of attention, you are already ahead of the curve when it comes to protecting yourself and others. This is a combination of all the steps above. Just do them over a longer period of time so that you're not rushing around trying to do everything at once while the eye of the storm is just above you can. Trying to do it that way is very dangerous and most likely will not have anywhere near the same results.
Once again, try to be prepared for the hurricane. Don't just react to it. Following these steps can make a tremendous difference when dealing with the fallout from the storm.