Storage Unit vs. Hurricane

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, then you might be thinking about renting a storage unit during hurricane season so that you can keep your belongings safe. If you already have a storage unit, you could be wondering what to expect during hurricane season. This is a little bit of information that can help you ensure that your items are safe if a hurricane strikes.

It Might Not Be Too Late to Rent a Storage Unit

First of all, many people assume that it's too late to rent a storage unit for their belongings when a hurricane is already approaching the area. However, this might not be the case at all. Some of the local storage facilities might have open units, and many areas have laws in place that prevent them from raising their rates when a hurricane is approaching. Therefore, even if a hurricane is scheduled to make landfall in your area or to otherwise have an effect on your area sometime soon, you can still call a few local storage facilities to find out more about renting a unit for your belongings.

Ask About Hurricane Plans

If you're going to be renting a storage unit for the first time, do not be afraid to ask about what the storage facility does to prepare for hurricanes. If you already have a storage unit, you can always call or stop by the office to ask about this as well. Many storage facilities have plans in mind for what they will do to help protect people's belongings in the event that a storm does strike, particularly in areas where hurricane conditions are common during hurricane season.

In the event of a hurricane, it is best to not call immediately. Check your surroundings are safe and remember the self storage operators will be doing the same thing. The safety of the managers and employees with be ensured before items in storage units.

Put What You Can in Your Unit

When you are deciding what to put in your storage unit, you will probably want to think about protecting your most valuable items. In fact, along with putting your home furnishings and other similar items in the storage unit, you can even put your car in the unit if you are concerned about it being damaged by flooding, falling trees or tree limbs or other hurricane-related conditions. Many companies that offer storage units offer units in different sizes, so you may want to consider renting a slightly larger unit so that you will have room for everything. If you already have a small storage unit, the storage facility might allow you to move your belongings to a bigger unit for a reasonable fee, which might be a good idea during hurricane season.

Protect Items When Possible

Even though your items will hopefully be safe from flooding and other hurricane conditions while in a storage unit, you can always take extra steps to protect your belongings. This can provide you with peace of mind and can help you ensure that your items stay in good shape during the storm. For example, any items that might be affected by water can be covered with a tarp; then, you can help ensure that your items are protected in the event that there is a leak in the roof. Another idea is to put your items on risers or to stack items that can be damaged by water on top of other items that can withstand water. This can help you protect your belongings in the event that flooding happens and water starts coming in from beneath the door.

Try Not to Stress Yourself Out

Of course, it's not a bad idea to rent a storage unit and to take steps to protect your belongings in the unit. However, once you have done so, you should try not to worry too much. Storage facilities do what they can to keep people's belongings safe. Plus, now is the time to worry about preparing yourself, your family and your home for the storm, so you should consider making this more of a focus rather than worrying too much about the items that are stored in your storage unit.

Even though there is always the possibility that flooding could happen in a storage unit, many people find that it's worth the risk when they want to keep their items safe from hurricane conditions. If you work with the right storage facility, you can get more information about renting a storage unit and how your items will be protected during a hurricane.

Joe Humphries is a contributing writer and media specialist for Portable Storage Box Company. He regularly produces content for a variety of storage blogs.