WAUKESHA, Wis., Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- October 29 marks the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the costly and powerful storm that damaged millions of homes and businesses along the East Coast, took the lives of 117 people and cost billions of dollars in damages. But through the destruction and tragedy caused by Sandy, several critical insights emerged that will help hurricane-prone areas prepare for future superstorms and the wake of destruction they leave behind.

"Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm, but the aftermath highlighted several key learnings so we can better prepare for future disasters," said Clement Feng, preparedness expert at Generac Power Systems. "Because we can't predict future storms like this, proactively preparing is our best defense."

Generac Power Systems offers the following tips to better protect your home and family from future storms that could potentially be as damaging as Hurricane Sandy:

Prepare when the sun is shining. You might not think of putting together an emergency preparedness kit when the weather is nice, but planning for emergencies when the sky is clear is essential. Stock up on nonperishables, batteries and window-boarding supplies now to avoid waiting in long lines or risking stores being sold out of necessary items. Install an automatic home backup generator that turns on automatically as soon as the power goes out and remains on until power returns, so your family will be safe and protected during even the most dangerous storms. Being prepared well in advance keeps your home and family safe when unpredictable weather occurs.

Keep the community in mind. As with Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters, large areas are affected, and community members must lean on each other for safety and support. While your family creates an emergency preparedness kit and plan, reach out to neighbors and local businesses to ensure they are preparing as well. Extra flashlights, water and even a portable generator that you can share with your neighborhood during or after a storm can make a huge difference for the community.

Think ahead toward cleanup. It's impossible to predict what kind of damage your home or neighborhood will endure during a storm, so it's smart to create a game plan for after the storm has passed. Put all of your insurance cards and critical documents in a plastic tote, so you can contact the appropriate agencies once the storm moves through. Have a box of hand tools and gloves available to begin sifting through debris. Have a generator on hand to charge electronics and other communication devices to ensure you can contact emergency authorities and loved ones.

Taking proactive steps to prepare for intense storms and the long-term power outages that accompany them can help keep your home, family and community safe, and avoid some of the tragedies residents along the East Coast faced three years ago.

For additional information on Generac, visit www.Generac.com.

About Generac (NYSE: GNRC)
Generac Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC) is a leading global supplier of backup power and prime power products, systems, and engine-powered tools. Back in 1959, our founder was committed to designing, engineering, and manufacturing the first affordable backup generator. Fifty-five years later, the same dedication to innovation, durability and excellence has resulted in the company's ability to expand its industry-leading product portfolio into homes and small businesses, on job sites, and in industrial and mobile applications across the globe. Generac offers backup and prime power systems up to 100 MW, and uses a variety of fuel sources to support power needs for our customers. We are proud to be named the Frost & Sullivan 2014 North American Natural Gas Generator Set Company of the Year.

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SOURCE Generac Power Systems

Heather Gaedtke, Cramer-Krasselt Public Relations, 414-227-3505, hgaedtke@c-k.com