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"Preventing the loss of life and
minimizing the damage to property from
hurricanes are responsibilities that are
shared by all."
Know
What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
- WATCH: Hurricane
conditions are possible in the
specified area of the WATCH, usually
within 36 hours.
- WARNING:
Hurricane conditions are expected
in the specified area of the WARNING,
usually within 24 hours.
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
- Identify ahead of
time where you could go if you are told
to evacuate. Choose several places--a
friend's home in another town, a motel,
or a shelter.
- Keep handy the
telephone numbers of these places as
well as a road map of your locality. You
may need to take alternative or
unfamiliar routes if major roads are
closed or clogged.
- Listen to
NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV
stations for evacuation instructions. If
advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Take these items
with you when evacuating:
- Prescription
medications and medical supplies;
- Bedding and
clothing, including sleeping bags
and pillows
- Bottled
water, battery-operated radio and
extra batteries, first aid kit,
flashlight
- Car keys and
maps
- Documents,
including driver’s license, Social
Security card, proof of residence,
insurance policies, wills, deeds,
birth and marriage certificates, tax
records, etc.
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Disaster Prevention should
include:
One of the most important decisions
you will have to make is "Should
I Evacuate?"
If you are asked to evacuate, you
should do so without delay.
But unless you live in a coastal or
low-lying area, an area that floods
frequently, or in manufactured
housing, it is unlikely that
emergency managers will ask you to
evacuate. That means that it is
important for you and your family to
HAVE A PLAN that makes you as
safe as possible in your home.
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Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including
the Following Items:
- First aid kit and
essential medications.
- Canned food and
can opener.
- At least three
gallons of water per person.
- Protective
clothing, rainwear, and bedding or
sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for
infants, elderly, or disabled family
members.
- Written
instructions on how to turn off
electricity, gas and water if
authorities advise you to do so.
(Remember, you'll need a professional to
turn them back on.)
Prepare
for High Winds
- Install hurricane
shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor
plywood boards for each window of your
home. Install anchors for the plywood
and predrill holes in the plywood so
that you can put it up quickly.
- Make trees more
wind resistant by removing diseased and
damaged limbs, then strategically
removing branches so that wind can blow
through.
Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued
- Listen to
NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV
stations for up-to-date storm
information.
- Prepare to bring
inside any lawn furniture, outdoor
decorations or ornaments, trash cans,
hanging plants, and anything else that
can be picked up by the wind.
- Prepare to cover
all windows of your home. If shutters
have not been installed, use precut
plywood as described above. Note:
Tape does not prevent windows from
breaking, so taping windows is not
recommended.
- Fill your car's
gas tank.
- Recheck
manufactured home tie-downs.
- Check batteries
and stock up on canned food, first aid
supplies, drinking water, and
medications.
Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is
Issued
- Listen to the
advice of local officials, and leave if
they tell you to do so.
- Complete
preparation activities.
- If you are not
advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away
from windows.
- Be aware that the
calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is
not over. The worst part of the storm
will happen once the eye passes over and
the winds blow from the opposite
direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and
other objects damaged by the first winds
can be broken or destroyed by the second
winds.
- Be alert for
tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a
hurricane and after it passes over.
Remain indoors, in the center of your
home, in a closet or bathroom without
windows.
- Stay away from
flood waters. If you come upon a flooded
road, turn around and go another way. If
you are caught on a flooded road and
waters are rising rapidly around you,
get out of the car and climb to higher
ground.
Know
What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
Your
Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide
Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
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