What to do before, during and after the hurricane

Before hurricane season begins...

• Know the hurricane risk in your area, e.g. determine whether you live in a potential flood zone
• Learn Safe routes inland
• Find out where official Shelters are located
• Develop a family hurricane action plan, know your evacuation routes, know where you would go and how would you get there.
  
• Review working condition of emergency equipment, such as flashlights and battery powered radios
• Ensure you have enough non perishable food and water supplies on hand, if you don't then stock up on the no persihable foods, drinking water, batteries, diapers and formula for infants and pet food for animals, click on the Emergency Kit link on the side bar to know more .
  
• Buy Plywood shutters to protect doors and windows
• If you are physically or mentally disabled, dependant on special medical equipment, have transportation needs or are faced with some other circumstances that will make hurricane evcuation difficult, you can pre register with your city or countys office of emergency management.
• Create an emergency communication list in case you are seperated from your family and friends. include all your home, work, school, and cell numbers and exchange lists with family, friends and neighbours. Keep the lists at home, at work and in your cars. In addition, designate a contact person who lives outside the area for everyone to reach in case of evacuation
• Keep a small supply of cash on hand. Banks may be closed and ATMs may be inoperable during a storm
• Make sure you have enough prescription medicins to outlast a storm and its aftermath. Refill your first aid kit
• Take inventory of your valuables and your home, make a vieo or take photos or keep a list of all valuables
• Double Check your insurance coverage for
  

1. Hurricane Coverage - If you want it, you need to get it now because you cannot get it once a storm comes
2. Flood Insurance- If your insurance company doesn't offer it, the federal government does, but it will not go into effect untill 30 days after you have paid for it

When a hurricane threatens...

• Frequently listen to radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletons of the storm progress
• Fuel and Service family vehicles, you may need to evacuate quickly and /or sit in traffic for hours. Service stations may also become inoperable.
  
• Have extra cash on hand
• Prepare to cover all windows and doors with shutters or other shielding materials
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water and medicine. Stock up drinking water in clean containers, bathtubs, bottles, pots etc, water supplies may become contaminated
• Move valuables, personal papers, family photos and important computer disks to a waterproof container on the highest level of your home or pack them to take with you.
  
• Secure outdoor objects that may be blown away, store them inside
• If in a mobile home, check tie downs and evacuate. Historically, mobile homes suffer the greatest amount of damage in the hurricane
  

Plan to leave if you...

• Live in a mobile home, they are unsafe in high winds no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• Live on the coastline, an offshore Island, or near a river or a flood plain.
• Live in a high rise building.
  

If you have to evacuate...

• Make sure your gas tank is full
• Prepare your vehicle for what could be a very long ride. Stock your vehicle with necessities such as water, food, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, current maps, baby supplies, pet supplies, prescription medicine and cash.
• Bring proof of residency- your drivers license, a utility bill or rent receipt - incase if you need Red Cross or FEMA assistance
• Take your emergency kit with you.
  

When in a Warning area...

• Listen closely to radio, TV or NOAA Weather radio for official bulletins
• Complete preparation activities such as putting up storm shulters, storing loose objects etc.
• Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if told to do so.
• Leave mobile homes

During a hurricane...

• Stay away from windows, sylights and glass dorrs even if they are boarded or covered
• Stay on the floor that is least likely to be affected by strong winds and floodwaters. A small interior room without windows on the first floor is usually the safest place
• Beware of the eye of hurricane. If the calm storm center passes directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind that can last up to half an hour. Winds will then rise again to hurricane force.
• Turn refrigerator to its coldest setting and keep closed
• Turn off the utilities if told to do so by authorities
• Turn off propane tanks
• Unplug small appliances
• Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes

Be Alert for...

• Tornadoes, They aer often spawned by hurricanes.
• The Calm "eye" of the storm. It may seem like to storm is over but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force
• Storm surge Flooding. These high waves can be more deadly then the hurricane winds. Leave the coast and stay away from low lying areas, creeks, streams and other inland waterways
  

After the hurricane...

• Listen to radio, TV or NOAA Wheather radio
• Keep abreast of road conditions through the media. Wait untill an area is declared safe before entering.
• Do not attempt to drive across flowing water. As little as 6" of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle, 2-feet of water will carry most cars away
• If you see water flowing across a roadway, TURN AROUND AND GO OTHER WAY. Many people have been killed or injured driving through flooded roadways or around barricades. Roads are closed for your protection
• Stay away from moving water.
• Do not allow children, especially under age 13 to play in flooded areas. They often drown or are injured in areas appearing safe.
• If someone needs to be rescued, call professionals with the right equipment to elp. Many people have been killed or injured trying to rescue others in flooded areas
• Stay away from standing water, It may be elecrically charged from underground or drowned power lines
• Have professionals check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage
• If you smell gas, leave your house and call your gas supplier
  
• Use a flashlight for emergency lighting, Never use candles or open flames indoors
• Use tap water for drinking and cooking ONLY when local officials say it is safe to do so
• Take photos of any damage, both of building and their contents, for insurance claims. Mae minor repairs to prevent further damage or looting, but do not do major repairs or dispose of damage property untill it has been inspected by adjuster. Save all receipts.
• If your power has gone out , open refrigerators and freezers only when necessary. A freezer without power can keep food in satisfactory conditions up to 36 hours if it is kept closed. Wrapping the freezer in blankets will help insulate it
• Call your insurance company if you have vehicle or property damage to report
  
• If a hurricane forces you into a public shelter, stay there untill told by local officials that it is safe to return to your home
•