Family Owned and in business serving homeowners since 1990
With significant flooding expected to hit the Gulfport/Biloxi area in the coming days, now is the time to
act. A little preparation today can prevent serious damage, costly repairs, and dangerous situations
tomorrow. At Tillman's Services, we care about our neighbors across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and
we've put together this checklist to help you and your family weather the storm safely. Take a few
minutes to walk through these tips — your future self will thank you.
Your phone is your lifeline during a flood event. Charge it to 100% well before the storm arrives and
keep all charging cables in one easy-to-find spot. If you don't already own one, pick up a portable power
bank (or two) and make sure those are fully charged as well. Consider a car charger as a backup, since
your vehicle can become an emergency charging station if the power goes out for an extended period.
The general rule is one gallon of water per person, per day, for at least three days — and don't forget
your pets. Flooding can contaminate municipal water supplies, and boil-water advisories often follow
major storms. If you have time, also fill your bathtub and any large containers with tap water before the
storm hits. This reserve can be used for flushing toilets, washing, and cleaning if your water service is
disrupted.
Power outages often lead to candle use and generator operation, both of which dramatically increase
the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Test every smoke and CO detector in your home and
replace batteries in any that chirp or fail. This small step takes five minutes and could save a life.
If you lose power for more than a few hours, you'll be glad to have a way to heat food and boil water. A
small propane camp stove, butane burner, or even a charcoal grill works well — just make sure you have
enough fuel on hand. Critical safety reminder: never operate any fuel-burning stove or grill indoors,
including in a garage with the door open. Always cook outside, away from windows and doors.
Gather your essential documents — driver's licenses, passports, Social Security cards, insurance policies,
property deeds, vehicle titles, medical records, and birth certificates — and place them in heavy-duty
resealable plastic bags. For extra protection, double bag them and store inside a waterproof container
or a fireproof safe placed on an upper floor. Take photos of each document with your phone and email
them to yourself or upload to cloud storage for digital backups you can access from anywhere.
Your kit should sustain every member of your household for at least three days without outside help.
Include non-perishable foods (canned goods, peanut butter, granola bars, dried fruit), bottled water, a
manual can opener, prescription medications (at least a 7-day supply), a first aid kit, hygiene items, a
change of clothes per person, sturdy shoes, blankets, a whistle, cash in small bills, and copies of those
important documents. Don't forget supplies for infants, elderly family members, and pets.
Register for alerts through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at msema.org, and
download the MEMA app for real-time updates. Also enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone
and sign up for Harrison County's local notification system. The more channels you have, the less likely
you are to miss a critical evacuation order or shelter-in-place instruction.
Walk through your home and test every flashlight you own. Replace dead batteries and buy extras in the
sizes you need — AA, AAA, D, and C are the most common. Headlamps are especially useful because
they leave your hands free. Avoid using candles whenever possible; battery-powered lanterns are far
safer, especially around children and pets.
If you own a generator, fire it up now to confirm it starts and runs properly. Check the oil level, top off
the fuel, and make sure you have additional gasoline stored safely in approved containers. Most
importantly, review safe operation: generators must always be run outdoors, at least 20 feet from your
home, windows, and doors. Carbon monoxide from generators kills people every single storm season —
don't become a statistic.
Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of roof and foundation water damage during heavy rain.
Clear out leaves, sticks, and debris so water can flow freely away from your home. Check that
downspouts are extending water at least 5-6 feet from your foundation. If you spot any sagging sections
or leaks, address them now — even a quick temporary fix is better than nothing.
If flooding is a real possibility for your home, move furniture, electronics, family photos, and
irreplaceable items to upper floors or elevated surfaces. Even raising items onto cinder blocks or tables
can be the difference between saving and losing them.
If water is entering your home, know how to shut off your electricity at the breaker box, your gas at the
main valve, and your water at the main shutoff. Never touch electrical equipment if you're standing in
water. If you're unsure where these shutoffs are, locate them today — not during the emergency.
Before the storm hits, walk through your home with your phone and take video of every room, including
inside closets and cabinets. This documentation is invaluable for insurance claims if you experience
damage. Store these videos in the cloud, not just on your device.
Gas stations often lose power or run out of fuel after major storms. Top off all vehicles now, and
consider filling an approved gas can for your generator or to power a chainsaw for cleanup.
Patio furniture, grills, garbage cans, potted plants, kids' toys, and yard decorations can become
dangerous projectiles in high winds and floating hazards in floodwater. Bring them inside, into the
garage, or tie them down securely.
Familiarize yourself with the official evacuation routes from your neighborhood and have a destination
in mind — whether that's a friend's home inland, a hotel, or a designated shelter. Don't wait for an
evacuation order to figure out where you're going.
If you have elderly neighbors, neighbors with disabilities, or families with young children nearby, knock
on their door and make sure they have what they need. Storms are easier to weather when
communities look out for one another.
After the storm passes, you may need help with plumbing, HVAC, water damage, or other home
services. Save our number now so we're easy to reach when you need us most. We're proud to serve
the Gulf Coast community, and we'll be here when the skies clear.
— The Tillman's Services Team