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Hurricane Table of Contents
Know What a Watch or Warning Means
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
How to Prepare for High Winds
What to Do When a Hurricane Watch Is Issued
What to Do When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued
What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
The following links have additional preparedness info. Some are in PDF format. Viewing PDF files requires the
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Hurricanes...Unleashing Nature's Fury, in-depth information about
hurricanes from the National Weather Service
Here's what you can do to prepare for such an emergency.
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.
Family Disaster Plan
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.)
Disaster Supply Kit
Food and Water in Emergency
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
- Keep listening to
NOAA Weather
Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
- If you are evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is
safe to do so.
- Inspect your home for damage.
- Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
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