Preparing for a Hurricane
If you are under a hurricane watch or warning, here are some basic steps
to take to prepare for the storm:
Learn
about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation
routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them
before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power
when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuation.
Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally
unstable building materials.
Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find
it and how to use it.
Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies,
wills, licenses, stocks, etc.
Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly or bedridden
people, or anyone with a disability.
Emergency Supplies You Will Need
You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the
emergency period. At a minimum, these supplies should include:
Several
clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water
(about five gallons for each person).
A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food.
A first aid kit and manual.
A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented,
ordinary household chlorine bleach.
Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole
family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins,
etc.
An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps,
tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
You can find more information on emergency plans and supply kits at
www.ready.gov
Preparing
to Evacuate
Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. The National Weather
Service will issue a hurricane watch when there is a threat to coastal
areas of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
When
a hurricane watch is issued, you should:
Fill
your automobile's gas tank.
If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family
for transportation.
Fill your clean water containers.
Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items
are missing.
Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables,
maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such
as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.
Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips
of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of
breakage and flying glass.
Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation
requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible
temperature.
If You are Ordered to Evacuate
Because of the destructive power of a hurricane, you should never ignore
an evacuation order. Authorities will be most likely to direct you to
leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential
path of the storm. If a hurricane warning is issued for your area or
you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:
Take
only essential items with you.
Leave pets indoors in a safe, covered area with ample food and water.
If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when
power is restored.
Make sure your automobile's emergency kit is ready.
Follow the designated evacuation routes—others may be blocked—and
expect heavy traffic.
If You Are Ordered NOT to Evacuate
The great majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts caused by
flying glass or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds
resulting from exposed nails, metal, or glass, and bone fractures.
To
get through the storm in the safest possible manner:
Monitor
the radio or television for weather conditions, if possible.
Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over.
Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed—the
calm "eye" of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside
when strong winds resume.
Stay away from all windows and exterior doors, seeking shelter in a
bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover
yourself with plywood or other materials.
Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home
is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
