HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Before Hurricane

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:

• Know your surroundings.
• Learn the elevation level of your property & whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
• Obtain or build an emergency kit & make a family communications plan.
• Identify levees & dams in your area & determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
• Learn community hurricane evacuation routes & how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go & how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.

Make plans to secure your property:

• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit & ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees & shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Clear loose & clogged rain gutters & downspouts.
• Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous & expensive structural damage.
• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans & anything else that is not tied down.
• Determine how & where to secure your boat.
• Install a generator for emergencies.
• If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
• Consider building a safe room.

What do I do if a hurricane is on its way?

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Check your disaster supplies (Emergency Checklist). Replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
• Close your windows, doors & hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close & board up all windows & doors with plywood.
• Turn your refrigerator & freezer to the coldest setting. Keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off propane tank.
• Unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Create a hurricane evacuation plan with members of your household. Planning & practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion & fear during the event.
• Find out about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members w/ special medical needs & make plans for your pets to be cared for.
• Obey evacuation orders. Avoid flooded roads & washed out bridges.
• Download App to your smartphone that can notify people where you are, & if you need help or are safe. The Red Cross has a Hurricane App available in the Apple App Store & the Google Play Store. A First Aid App is also available.
• Download Getagameplan App to identify places to evacuate, including for pet shelters & special needs. Visit www.getagameplan.org for more information.
• Use hurricane shutters or board up windows & doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
• Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.
• Clear gutters of debris.
• Reinforce the garage door.
• Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
• Fill a bathtub with water.
• Go over the evacuation plan with the family, & learn alternate routes to safety.
• Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
• Put an ax in your attic in case of severe flooding.
• Evacuate if ordered & stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.
• Store important documents: passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds in a watertight container.
• Have a current inventory of household property (advised to take pictures).
• Leave a note to say where you are going.
• Unplug small appliances & electronics before you leave.
• If possible, turn off the electricity, gas & water for residence.

Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. It’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains & other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

During Hurricane

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters & secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting & keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Move your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning & flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub & other larger containers with water if you haven't yet.
• Find out how to keep food safe during & after an emergency.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure – such shelter are particularly hazardous during hurricane no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building – hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway.
• If you are unable to evacuate, go to your wind-safe room.
• If you do not have a wind-safe room stay indoors during the hurricane & away from windows & glass doors.
• Close all interior doors.
• Secure & brace external doors.
• Keep curtains & blinds closed.
• Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
• Avoid elevators.

After Hurricane

• Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall & subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
• Drive only if necessary & avoid flooded roads & washed out bridges.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines & report them immediately to the power company.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it.
• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building & its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated. (If you have the slightest doubt about the water's safety for drinking you can either boil for 10 minutes and pour between containers to replenish oxygen, add eight drops of plain liquid chlorine bleach per gallon & wait four hours, or add water urification tablets per manufacturer's instructions.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing & be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
• Watch animals closely & keep them under your direct control.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• Make sure that your children are not playing in flood water.

If your community has experienced a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe & Well website to let your family & friends know about your welfare. You may also call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself & your family.

Some of the recommendations listed above were provided by American Red Cross & FEMA.