Preparing For When A Hurricane Strikes

6/27/2018 (Permalink)

Before: 

• Prepare your evacuation plan, including pets, transportation routes and destinations.
• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed and clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. 
• Determine how and where to secure your boat. 
• Consider building a safe room.
• Stay informed! Listen to NOAA weather radio or check local forecasts and news reports regularly.
• Cover your home's windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters. Tape DOES NOT prevent windows from breaking.
• Bring in all outside furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Fill the bathtub or buckets with water to use for cleaning and flushing toilets.
• Keep your gas tank at least ¾ full at all times.
• Keep your emergency supplies kit, including water, and copies of important documents, in a waterproof, portable container, in an easily accessible location.

Evacuate under the following conditions: 

• If local authorities tell you to evacuate, follow their directions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure, which are particularly hazardous no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway. 
• If you feel you are in danger.
• If you live in an area below sea level.

During: 

• If you choose not to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors. Notify out-of-are contacts of your decision. Close all interior doors and secure and brace exterior doors. Keep curtains and blinds closed. 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.
• Don't be fooled by a lull in the storm- it could be the eye of the storm and winds could resume.

After: 

• Be aware of flooding and tornadoes.
• Stay out of flood waters, if possible.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If you evacuated, do not return to your home until the local authorities say it is safe.