Hurricane-season clear-out

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. When a storm is forecast, everyone rushes for the same last-minute jobs at once: hardware stores run out, drains are still blocked, and the yard is full of things the wind can pick up.

A clear-out done calmly, ideally in May before the season starts, makes your home safer, makes flooding less likely, and gives you far less to do when a warning goes up. And it's a good declutter in its own right.

Why clutter matters in a storm

• Loose items become missiles. Plant pots, loose galvanize, lawn chairs and old appliances can break windows and injure people in strong winds.
• Rubbish blocks drains. Leaves, plastic and old bins in drains are a big cause of local flooding.
• Crowded floors slow you down. If you need to move things up high or leave in a hurry, clear rooms make it much easier.
• Less stuff, less loss. Everything you no longer need is one less thing to protect, dry out or claim for.

The yard: remove anything the wind can throw

Walk the whole yard, gallery and roof line with a bin bag and ask of each item: keep and secure, store inside, or get rid of?

• Old appliances, car parts, tyres and broken furniture: dispose of them properly (many local authorities run bulky-waste collections)
• Loose galvanize, board, ply and building leftovers: store them flat and tied down, or remove them
• Plant pots and hanging baskets: group them where they can come inside quickly
• Lawn furniture, toys, bicycles and grills: decide now where each one goes when a storm comes
• Coconuts and dead fronds: have them cut before they come down on their own
• Dead or overhanging branches near the house: trim them back

Drains, gutters and the roof

• Clear gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris, and check they drain away from the house
• Clean out drains, culverts and the box drain in front of the house
• Check the roof for loose sheets, missing screws and rusted sections
• Make sure shutters, storm panels or plywood fit, and you know where the fixings are
• Check that windows and doors close and latch properly

Storeroom, garage and shed

These spaces collect years of "might need it" items. They're also often where flood water reaches first.

1. Empty one shelf at a time and sort into keep, donate, sell and dump.
2. Get chemicals off the floor. Paint, pool chlorine, pesticides and cleaning products should be sealed, labelled and stored high, away from each other and from food.
3. Store fuel safely. Keep any petrol or kerosene in approved containers, in a ventilated place away from the house, and never indoors.
4. Put everything worth keeping into lidded plastic bins, labelled and raised off the floor on shelves or pallets.
5. Check your tools: hammer, drill, tarpaulins, rope, cable ties and a ladder should be easy to reach, not buried at the back.

Inside the house

• Clear the floor in low rooms. Anything that would be ruined by a few inches of water, such as electronics, books, photos and shoes, belongs on shelves or upstairs.
• Pick a safe room. An interior room with few or no windows. Keep it clear enough that the family can sit there comfortably.
• Use up and rotate the pantry. Eat older tins and dry goods now, and restock with food that keeps.
• Declutter the freezer. A long power cut will spoil it, so don't stock it full of things you'd hate to lose.
• Photograph every room, opening cupboards and drawers. A quick video walk-through is invaluable for insurance claims.

Documents and valuables

Collect these into one waterproof bag or box that you can grab in seconds:

• Passports, ID cards, birth and marriage certificates
• Property deeds, insurance policies and vehicle papers
• Medical records and prescriptions
• Bank details and important contact numbers written on paper
• A USB drive or cloud copy of photos and scans of all of the above

Your grab-and-go kit

Pack it in one sturdy bin or backpack per household, and keep it where everyone knows to find it.

Check the kit at the start of every season: swap expired food and medicines, test the torches and recharge the power banks.

When a storm is on the way

If you've done the clear-out, this list is short:

• Bring in or tie down everything from your yard list
• Put up shutters or board windows
• Fill clean containers with drinking water and fill the bath for washing
• Charge phones and power banks, and fill the car's tank
• Move valuables and electronics off the floor
• Turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest setting
• Follow official updates from your national disaster office (the ODPM in Trinidad and Tobago) and your meteorological service

After the storm

• Stay safe first. Keep away from fallen lines and flood water, and don't switch on wet electrics. Wear boots and gloves for clean-up.
• Photograph damage before you move or throw anything out.
• Dry out fast. Open up and ventilate the house within the first day or two, and move wet items outdoors. Mould can start within 24 to 48 hours. Our mould guide walks you through the clean-up.
• When in doubt, throw it out for food that's been in flood water or a fridge without power for too long.

This guide is general household advice. Always follow instructions from your national disaster office and emergency services.