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“Assume
the worst, hope for the best.”
You can’t be over prepared.
Know
What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
WATCH:
Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH,
usually within 36 hours.
WARNING: Hurricane conditions
are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within
24 hours.
Prepare
a Personal Evacuation Plan
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| One
of the most important things to do ahead of time is identify
where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several
places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
You should also keep handy the telephone numbers of these places
as well as a road map of your local area. You may need to take
alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or
clogged. Make sure you listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local
radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised
to evacuate, do so immediately.
Take
these items with you when evacuating:
- Prescription
medications and medical supplies;
- Bedding
and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
- Bottled
water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid
kit, flashlight
- Car
keys and maps
- Documents,
including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof
of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and
marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
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Make
a Disaster Supply Kit Including the Following:
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- First
aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned
food and can opener.
- At
least three gallons of water per person.
- Protective
clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special
items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Written
instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water
if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need
a professional to turn them back on.)
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Prepare
for High Winds
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| Before
the wind speed gets too high, you should install your hurricane
shutters on each window of your home. Pre-install the anchors
for your shutter, and have your hardware and installation instructions
handy so that you can put them up quickly. A good idea to keep
in mind is to make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased
and damaged limbs, then strategically remove the branches so
that wind can blow through them. |
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Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued
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| Make
sure you listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations
for up-to-date storm information. Be prepared to bring inside
any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash
cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up
by the wind. You should also prepare to cover all windows of
your home. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking,
so taping windows is not recommended. Be sure to fill your car's
gas tank, as gas may be in short supply once the storm has passed.
If you live in a manufactured home, recheck your ties-downs.
As part of your disaster suppy kit, check your batteries and
stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water,
and medications. |
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Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued
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| Listen
to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you
to do so. Be sure to complete all necessary preparation activities.
If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from
windows. Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive;
the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen
once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite
direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged
by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second
winds.
Be
alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane
and after it passes over.You should always remain indoors, in
the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road,
turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded
road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the
car and climb to higher ground. |
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Know
What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
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| Keep
listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations
for instructions. If you evacuated, return home when local officials
tell you it is safe to do so. Once you get home, inspect your
home for damage. Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
You never know what you might stumble upon.
Hurricanes
affect many areas of daily routines. If you are not familiar
with them, get safety instructions of how to handle:
- Power
Outage Safety
- Food
Safety
- Chainsaw
Safety
- Portable
Generator Safety
- Water
Treatment
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