How to Prepare Your Car for Hurricane Season in Jamaica

Hurricane season runs from June to November. When a storm is coming, your car can be an important tool for getting your family to safety, so it pays to have it ready.

Before the season

• Get a full service: oil, brakes, tyres, battery, cooling system and lights

• Make sure the spare tyre is inflated and you have a working jack and wrench

• Check your insurance policy and what it covers for storm and flood damage

• Store important vehicle documents somewhere safe and keep copies

When a storm is approaching

1. Fill your tank. Fuel stations may close or run out after a storm, and power cuts can stop the pumps.

2. Park in a safe place. Avoid low-lying areas, near trees, power lines or loose objects that could blow into the car. A garage or the side of a sturdy building is best.

3. Pack an emergency kit: flashlight, phone charger, first aid kit, water, jumper cables and basic tools.

4. Take photos of your car from all sides for insurance purposes.

After the storm

• Look for fallen branches, debris and water damage before moving the car

• Check for water inside the cabin and under the carpets

• Check the engine oil. If it looks milky, water may have entered the engine

• Don't start a car that may have been flooded. Starting an engine with water inside can cause severe damage

Signs of flood damage

• Damp carpets or a musty smell

• Water lines or mud inside the doors or trunk

• Electrical problems or warning lights

• Fogging inside the headlights or tail lights

Get it checked

If you suspect water got into the engine, transmission or electrical system, have the car inspected before driving it. Early action can prevent corrosion and much bigger repairs.

Need help with this? RCJ Mobile Mechanics comes to you in Portmore, Spanish Town, Kingston, St. Andrew and across St. Catherine. Call or WhatsApp (658) 207-6565 or book a mechanic online.