Is your manufactured home ready for severe weather this summer?

Mild temperatures in the spring bring the onset of severe weather in the summer. For manufactured home residents, preparing for severe weather in advance is a critical part of protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your property.

With a little advance preparation, you can reduce the risks of injury or property damage. Use our checklist to create an evacuation plan, emergency kit, and establish a basic understanding of what disasters your community may face. Severe weather can be stressful, but keeping your cool and having a plan can help you maintain your peace of mind.

What Severe Weather Should I Prepare For?

The most common types of severe weather are:

1. Severe Thunderstorms
2. Flooding
3. Tornados

Severe Weather Preparation Checklist

Create an Emergency Kit: A basic kit of disaster supplies should allow you to get by on your own for several days. It should be able to fit in one to two convenient containers, such as plastic bags or a duffel bag. Your kit should contain:

• At least one gallon of water per person, per day, for both drinking and sanitation
• At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
• A battery-powered or hand crank radio to keep track of weather bulletins
• A flashlight
• A first-aid kit
• A whistle to call for help
• Medication
• Pet supplies
• Blankets
• Important documents (birth certificates, social security cards, etc.)

You may also consider including a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery, dust masks, plastic sheeting for sheltering in place, and local maps. Download our printable emergency evacuation checklist here. 

Install Permanent Shutters: To protect your manufactured home, we strongly recommend installing permanent shutters on your windows. By giving your windows an extra layer of protection, you can prevent glass from breaking and wind from entering your home. Track-and-bolt shutters, steel shutters or aluminum shutters are affordable, permanent and add to your home’s security against severe weather.

In a pinch, plywood nailed over your windows can work, so long as it’s properly fitted. You may want to consider cutting and fitting plywood to your windows in advance to ensure a secure fit. You can install the plywood with a hammer and nails before a storm. 

Plan for Shelter & Evacuation: In case of emergency, what’s your exit strategy from your manufactured home? 

If you have enough time to find somewhere else to stay, designate a friend or family member’s home where you can sleep for a few nights. Remember to make plans in advance for how any pets you have will be cared for.

If you’re caught before you have time to get to a friend’s house, it’s critical to choose a shelter and low ground in case of severe winds. During tornados, winds can lift even the most securely tied mobile homes, so choosing a safe place to take shelter is key. And remember, never attempt to shelter underneath a mobile home.

Your shelter should be a designated storm shelter within your community, or an office or community building. Make sure to time how long it takes to get from your manufactured home to your shelter so you’ll have plenty of lead time to evacuate before a storm arrives.

During severe weather, most people are injured by flying debris. If you can’t get to shelter in time, make sure you know of a nearby ditch or low ground. As a last resort, you can lie down on low ground and cover your head to minimize your risk of being caught by flying debris.

Severe weather can be frightening, but when you make a plan for your manufactured home in advance, you can face weather emergencies with confidence.