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| Hurricane Preparedness |
| The last thing you want is to get caught in the middle of a hurricane unprepared. Here are some tips on what you and your family can do to prepare for a hurricane. |
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| Tracking the Storm: |
| Stay tuned to your local news station to find out the what is happening with tropical weather. Keep a tracking map handy durring hurricane season and track any storm threatening your area for future reference. Stay tuned to Tropical Weather Watch on the web for latest hurricane information. |
| What to do When Under a Hurricane Watch: |
| Start by watching a hurricanes progress using a tracking map. Check your emergency supplies to make sure you have everything you need for at least a week. If you need supplies, start buying them (see supplies). Start boarding up your windows of your house and remove any outside antennas. Fuel up your car and a portable gas tank. Begin bringing in loose objects from outside, such as potted plants, toys, ect., and anchor down obejects that cannot be moved inside. Turn freezers and refrigerators to coldest settings and open only when needed. Store all valuables and important documents in a water proof containers and store in the highest point of the house. Move boat to a safe place in an inland harbor or to a dry dock. Review your evacuation plan. |
| What to do When Under a Hurricane Warning: |
| Listen constantly to your local news, local officials, and tune in to Tropical Weather Watch on the Web for Constant updates. For evacuations, call your local Civil Defense office. Avoid Elevators If in a mobile home, check tie downs and evacuate as soon as possible. If you choose to stay home: Stay inside away from any windows and doors Avoid candles. Keep a fresh supply of batteries and a flashlight for every member of the house. Turn off all appliences during power outages incase of a power surge when power is returned. If you evacuate: Unplug all appliences. Secure all funiture and move to a higher part of the house incase of storm surge. Lock up your Home. Tell someone where you are going and when you will leave. Bring an emergency kit just in case. If an official tells you to evacuate and that you are under a mandatory evacuation, PLEASE LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. |
| Precautions to Take After the Storm Has Passed: |
| Stay tuned to your local radio station for important information. Do not leave your shelter until authorities state it is safe to do so. Avoid loose and dangling power lines for the power grid may still be on. Enter your house with caution and watch for snakes, insects, and other flood driven animals. Open windows and doors to ventalate your house. Check refridgerator for spoiled food. Take pictures of all damage for insurance claims. Use telephones for emergency calls only. Use first aid where appropriate. Help any injured or trapped person. Do not move any seriously injured person unless they are in danger. |
| Hurricane Supplies: |
| Water: one gallon per person, per day. Preferably a 2 weeks supply for each person. Ice Canned or non perishable food. Household bleach, without any scents, for purrifying drinking water Tools: hammer, nails, ax or hatchet, crobar, screwdriver, pliers, battery powered drill with extra parts, knife, handsaw, duct tape and masking tape. Flashlights for each member of the home with extra batteries. battery powered radio or TV with extra batteries. Fire extinguisher Lanter with extra fuel or batteries. Sterno stove with extra fuel Disposable eating untensils. Oven mitts for handling hot pots. Soap. Hand operated can opener Toliet paper. Bug repelent. Medications. Needle and thread. Cat litter, also used for spills. Money. Tarp. Rope. Pet food. Garbage bags. Plastic gargabe cans. |