Hurricane Preparedness

BEFORE THE SEASON BEGINS

THINGS YOU CAN DO PRYOR TO JUNE 1. THE BEST TIME TO PREPARE, IS BEFORE WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE EVER POSTED..

DISASTER SUPPLY KIT:

A 3 DAY SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER. (1 GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY)

NON PERISHABLE FOOD

CHANGE OF CLOTHING AND SHOES

PRESCRIPTIONS AND A FIRST AID KIT

A BLANKET OR SLEEPING BAG PER PERSON

FLASHLIGHT AND EXTRA BATTERIES

EXTRA KEYS, CASH AND CREDIT CARDS

BATTERY POWERED TV OR RADIO (NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS GOOD TO HAVE)

AND SPECIAL ITEMS FOR INFANTS, ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED

PREPARING YOUR HOME:

CONSIDER BUYING A BACKUP GENERATOR INCASE YOU LOOSE POWER

CLEAN GUTTERS AND CUT BACK DEAD TREE LIMBS

INSPECT ROOF, EXTERIOR DOORS, GARAGE DOORS AND MAKE NEED REPAIRS

MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR BOARDING UP DOORS AND WINDOWS (STORM SHUTTERS)

KNOW YOUR HURRICANE HAZARDS AND EVACUATION ROUTES:

DO YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PLAIN, DO YOU NEED FLOOD INSURANCE

WILL YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BE ASKED TO EVACUATE, AND FOR WHAT TYPE OF STORM (CAT 1-5)

LEARN YOUR EVACUATION ROUTES TO GET YOU AND FAMILY OUT OF HARMS WAY

MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR PETS. MOST SHELTERS WILL NOT ACCEPT PETS

LEARN WHERE THE LOCAL SHELTERS WILL BE SET UP DURING A DISASTER

DURING A HURRICANE WATCH

A HURRICANE WATCH IS POSTED FOR A GIVEN COASTAL AREA WHEN HURRICANE CONDITIONS (WINDS OF 74 MPH OR HIGHER, AND DANGEROUSLY HIGH WATER AND ROUGH SEAS ARE EXPECTED) WITHIN 36 HOURS..

MAKE PREPARATIONS TO PUT YOUR FAMILY DISASTER PLAN INTO EFFECT:

CHECK YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING

SERVICE AND FUEL YOUR VEHICLES

REFILL ANY MEDICATIONS AND CHECK YOUR FIRST AID KIT

CHECK MOBILE HOME TIE DOWNS

GET EXTRA CASH, BANKS MAY CLOSE EARLY AND ATMS MAY NOT WORK IF POWER IS LOST

PREPARE TO COVER WINDOWS AND DOORS

CLEAR YOUR YARD OF TRASH CANS, POTTED PLANTS, BIKES, ANY TOOLS, AND TOYS, THEY MAY BECOME MISSILES IN THE STRONG WINDS

STORE VALUABLES AND IMPORTANT PAPERS IN A WATERPROOF CONTAINER ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME

MOOR BOATS PROPERLY OR TAKE TO A PRE-DETERMINED SAFE PLACE

INFORM FAMILY MEMBERS OUTSIDE OF THE AFFECTED AREA OF YOUR STORM PLANS, SHOULD YOU NEED TO EVACUATE THEY WILL KNOW WHERE YOU PLAN TO GO AND HOW TO CONTACT YOU LATER

MONITOR TV AND LOCAL RADIO BROADCASTS. ALL OFFICIAL INFORMATION WILL COME THROUGH THESES CHANNELS. (IF YOU ARE ASKED TO EVACUATE BY OFFICIALS IN YOUR AREA, PLEASE HEED THEIR ADVICE TO DO SO)

BE READY TO ACT QUICKLY IF A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS POSTED WHEN HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN 24 HOURS...

THE TIME FOR PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE COMING TO CONCLUSIONS:

CONTINUE TO MONITOR LOCAL TV AND RADIO FOR THE LATEST INFO FROM THE OFFICIALS

CLOSE WINDOWS AND PUT UP SHUTTERS OR PLYWOOD

STORE DRINKING WATER IN CLEAN BATHTUBS, JUGS AND BOTTLES

SET FREEZERS AND REFRIGERATORS TO THEIR COLDEST SETTINGS. LIMIT OPENINGS

UNPLUG ALL MAJOR APPLIANCES

IF YOUR AREA IS ASKED TO EVACUATE:

INFORM FAMILY AND FRIENDS OUTSIDE OF THE AREA YOUR PLANS AND DESTINATIONS

TAKE YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT, BLANKETS AND ADEQUATE CLOTHING WITH YOU

TURN OFF MAJOR APPLIANCES, GAS, WATER AND ELECTRICITY

LOCK YOUR HOME AND LEAVE AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN

IF YOU ARE NOT ASKED TO EVACUATE:

STAY INSIDE AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS

GRAB YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT AND GET INTO AN INTERIOR ROOM

MONITOR LATEST INFORMATION ON YOUR BATTERY POWERED TV AND RADIOS

DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME SUCH AS A CANDLE FOR A LIGHT SOURCE. USE YOUR FLASHLIGHT AND HAVE EXTRA BATTERIES READY

HAVE GAMES AND OTHER MATERIALS TO KEEP CHILDREN OCCUPIED

CONDITIONS IMPROVE, AND THE STORM PASSES:

REMAIN INDOORS UNTIL THE OFFICIALS HAVE GIVEN THE ALL -CLEAR

BE PREPARED TO BE SELF-RELIANT FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE RECOVER CREWS RESTORE UTILITIES

CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS, DO NOT USE OPEN FLAMES SUCH AS CANDLES

STAY AWAY FROM AND REPORT DOWNED POWER LINES

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANIMALS AFFECTED BY THE STORM