Top 4 Tips for Hurricane Preparedness in the Treasure Coast Region of Florida

In 2017, we on the Treasure Coast in Florida witnessed the wrath of Category 4 Hurricane Irma. St. Lucie, for one, endured a recorded 21.7 inches of rainfall, with top wind speeds of 100 mph.

There’s a lot to love about Florida and its tropical climate is perfect for enjoying the beaches and coastal destinations year-round. But when we talk about rainy days, we know we can’t help but talk about hurricanes—it’s a part of life here.

In this article, we will discuss 4 important things to remember about hurricanes and how to be prepared for them.

1. Know Your Facts

First, you need to know your hurricane terms. Storm conditions vary in terms of size, intensity, and even angle from which the storm will approach a specific area.

For starters, a tropical depression is a cyclone with winds of up to 38 mph. Tropical storms, on the other hand, have wind speeds between 39 and 73 mph while hurricanes have wind speeds of 74 mph and above.

Other terms you might also hear include the following:

• Hurricane watch - Hurricane conditions may be experienced in the area

• Hurricane warning - Hurricane conditions are to be expected in the area

• Eye of the storm - The center of the storm where conditions may be calmer

• Eye wall - The part of the storm surrounding the eye, which brings the most severe weather conditions

• Flood watch - Issued when conditions are likely to result in flooding

• Flood warning - Issued when flooding is imminent or already occurring

• Tornado watch - Issued when conditions are likely to result in severe thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes

• Tornado warning - Issued when a tornado has already been spotted

By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you will have an idea what’s about to hit your area in the coming days or hours.

2. Assemble an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is something that you should keep close, in a spot that you can easily find.

It must contain first aid supplies, medicines, a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, and at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food and water.

You should also pack towels, warm clothes, some cash, and a can opener if you’re packing canned food. It might help to have a basic mobile phone in there, too.

Additionally, the emergency kit should be handy and portable enough for you to easily grab when it’s time to evacuate.

3. Secure Your Home

You can already prepare and secure your home even before a hurricane watch or warning is issued. The National Hurricane Center suggests that you assess your home’s vulnerability to flooding, wind, and storm surge. This way, you can perform necessary precautionary measures.

Here are some things you can do to minimize damage to your home during a hurricane:

• Protect your windows. Plywood boards are the least expensive solution and they can be put up even without drilling, as shown on this video. If you want a permanent reinforcement, you can install storm shutters, which give ample protection while adding style to your home at the same time. If you’re up for some window upgrades, you should consider getting high-impact window glass. They can resist the strongest of winds without compromising form and function.

• Secure the roof. If we’re expecting a really strong hurricane, you might want to have secure straps and clips in place.

• Strap down outdoor furniture and other items. If there are items that can’t be strapped down, just put them inside before a hurricane comes.

• Reinforce your doors, including garage doors.

• Regularly trim trees and shrubs.

• Get regular home inspections to make sure that weak spots are found and addressed immediately!

4. Develop a Family Plan

When worse comes to worst, you might find yourself needing to evacuate. You might also end up separated from other family members for some reason. The anxiety that such scenarios could bring can be overwhelming, but you can lessen the worry by knowing that every family member knows your communication and evacuation plan.

Sit down with your family and come up with answers to the following:

How will you contact each other if separated during a hurricane? It might help to have backup phones and numbers in case landline service is down. You might even find handheld radios useful at these times.

How will you get back together? Set a rendezvous point that everyone knows and will possibly remain accessible during a hurricane.

Where is the closest evacuation shelter? How will each of you get there? Pay attention to news broadcasts to get evacuation details.

As your trusted Port St. Lucie REALTOR®, I'm not just here to help sell your home or assist you in buying a new home. I also want to help keep you and your property safe, too—all year round! If you want more tips on hurricane preparedness, get in touch with me today!

In case you cannot view this video here, please click the link below to view Top 4 Tips for Hurricane Preparedness in the Treasure Coast Region of Florida on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZooK2qpvVM&t=0s&list=PLtP6RTQ7fNhqCmiKZw17KwMgHcx3J7TrQ&index=16

FOR SALE! 5205 Citrus Ave Fort Pierce FL 34982 | Pool Home for Sale

Welcome to your slice of peaceful country living in the city!

Comfort, space, and superior style is what you find in this fabulous Fort Pierce Florida home tucked away in a quiet and peaceful residential neighborhood close to our lovely Ft Pierce inlet and beach, shopping, highways and schools.

Featuring 3 bedrooms + a Den, 2 bathrooms, 4 car garage, heated pool and all the finest finishes in its 3,317 square feet of gorgeous living space, you may never want to step out of this home.

Nestled on a 2.19 acre lot,  it delivers the private suburban lifestyle you’ve been longing for. You'll love the immaculate attention to detail given throughout the whole home, from its high-end kitchen to the spa-like bathrooms.

It is also an energy efficient home. It boasts of PGT impact glass windows and its exterior walls and trussed are reinforced with extra rebar. Its average electric bill during summer months is $240 and $80 in winter.

On top of all that, this home for sale in Fort Pierce delivers elegant living both indoors and outdoors.

Enjoy this home’s luxurious interior details

This home ensures that light and space are showcased in every room.  The interior is beautiful, bright and airy, thanks to 10-11 foot ceilings with decorative tray insert, rounded corner-beads walls, and tall base-molding.

The family room features porcelain tile floors, view of the pool, tray ceiling with recessed lighting.

The den has double glass french doors and if you need more bedrooms, this space can easily be converted into the 4th bedroom.

The kitchen is designed to make any chef happy! With gorgeous Quartz counters, lots of custom real maple cabinets with decorative handles, newer stainless steel appliances, double wall convection oven, cook-top stove with hood, and a walk-in pantry with custom door and shelves, this kitchen is ready for you!

The owners suite is ready for rest and pampering. Boasting fabulous floor space, tall tray ceiling and a walk in closet that is 18 feet deep! The en-suite bathroom is like visiting a spa, relax in your Air-Jet Jacuzzi tub or take a quick shower in the beautiful sport shower equipped with body jets and porcelain tile to the ceiling! Dual gentleman height vanities with lots of storage ensure there is enough room for both owners. This suite is ideal for your private retreat. And if you want a safe room, this owner's suite is equipped with a solid door, deadbolt and reinforced walls.

If you need more space, the laundry room which includes front load washer and dryer, is large enough to add a bathroom  or to make an office.

A spectacular outdoor oasis

An extraordinary home wouldn’t be complete without a fantastic outdoor retreat, and this Fort Pierce home for sale delivers!

It features a screened pool with heater so you can enjoy a relaxing dip any season or any time of day.  A pool is always a hit for any age, so invite your friends and relax and enjoy this private outdoor retreat.

A home that has it all!

This Fort Pierce real estate property has everything you want and more! Its 2.19 acres are fenced and with no association and county only taxes.

It is on city water, private septic, and well sprinklers from the pond.

Its detached 2-car garage has water and electric and can be converted into a guest house if you need a guest home.

It is also conveniently located. It is only two minutes away from the Nelson’s Family Farms. US Highway 1 is about five minutes away.

White City Elementary School and White City Park are only a minute away.

There are plenty of shopping and dining options with this home’s 2 -mile radius.

Every amenity you want is within reach in this exceptional home.

Clearly, a lot of careful planning went into this home. From its high ceilings, large entryways, impact glass windows, energy efficient appliances and awesome built-ins, this home is everything you’ve dreamed of and more!

Make it yours for ONLY $474,900.

For similar properties in nearby areas, call Melissa at 772-240-2589 or visit http://www.MelSellsRealEstate.com/ where you can search for homes or email Melissa.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own the home of your dreams! Call me, Melissa Conrad, at 772-240-2589 to schedule your private showing today.

In case you cannot view this video here, please click the link below to view FOR SALE! 5205 Citrus Ave Fort Pierce FL 34982 | Pool Home for Sale on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzzPuSneKM4&t=27s&list=PLtP6RTQ7fNhqDwynJXGxS2hJixvym1pHz&index=4

🏡 Mel Sells Real Estate

With thousands of real estate agents endorsing themselves with online ads, postcards and other materials to win your attention, cutting through the advertising hype and choosing the one who is best for you can be challenging. If you want to own a home on the Treasure Coast of Florida, it is imperative that you size up these agents’ records and find the best among them—the one who has both the experience and passion needed to help you achieve your real estate goals.


If you are looking to buy a property in Port St. Lucie or its neighboring areas and are planning to hire a real estate agent, here are some of the things that you can do to pick the best one to assist you:


1. Do a Background Check


One of the easiest things you can do to know more about an agent is talk with her recent clients. By doing so, you will be able to have an idea of her work ethics and gauge if she’s good enough to help you make the right decisions throughout the home buying process.


2. Know if She’s Licensed to Do the Job


It takes expertise and formal education to become a real estate agent that homebuyers and sellers can trust. If an agent is licensed, you can trust that her services are legit and that she knows what she’s doing. As you decide on the agent to hire to assist you, make sure that the agent you are considering is licensed and does not have any disciplinary complaints. You can check this info with your state’s regulatory body.


3. Consider her Credentials


Every professional has a specialization. Just as doctors specialize in medicine, real estate agents specialize in buying and selling properties. As you choose your agent, it is important that you check if she has the right credentials and that she’s trained enough to help you if you need some enlightenment on certain areas of real estate.


4. Know How Long She’s Been in the Business


One of the ways to gauge how experienced an agent is is by knowing how long she has been in the real estate business. If an agent has been working as an agent for less than five years, chances are she’s still learning on you, which is not good, according to “Tips & Traps for Negotiating Real Estate” author Robert Irwin. If you are to choose an agent, choose someone who has been helping real estate buyers and sellers for many years, because that’s a good sign that she’s worked long enough to master the ropes of the business and the area she’s catering to.

5. Check out Her Current Listings


As a homebuyer, you start your search for properties online. Because of this, you want an agent who knows how to make use of this tool effectively. Looking at an agent’s current listings will give you an idea of how healthy her business is. The effort she puts into the presentation of her listings on the web says a lot about her passion for what she does and how eager she is to help potential buyers like you.


If you are looking to buy a property in Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart or other neighboring areas, find an agent who is knowledgeable, seasoned and an expert in the local area like Melissa Conrad. The best real estate agent in Port St. Lucie, Mel sells real estate properties that will surely exceed your expectations. Call her today at 772-240-2589!

In case you cannot view this video here, please click the link below to view Mel Sells Real Estate on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5LWAdxF0sk&list=PLtP6RTQ7fNhqDwynJXGxS2hJixvym1pHz&index=3&t=1s