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Fact Sheet: Hurricanes Hurricanes can be dangerous
killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning
ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.
BEFORE
Plan an evacuation route.
Contact the local emergency management office or American Red
Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness
plan. This plan should include information on the safest
evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Learn safe routes inland.
Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
Have disaster supplies on hand.
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Flashlight and extra batteries
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Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
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First aid kit and manual
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Emergency food and water
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Nonelectric can opener
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Essential medicines
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Cash and credit cards
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Sturdy shoes
Make arrangements for pets.
Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health
and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for
information on local animal shelters.
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a
hurricane.
Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity,
and water.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire
department and which radio station to tune to for emergency
information.
Protect your windows.
Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost
approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch
plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window.
Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes
every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the
National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance
agent or emergency management office.
There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy
becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from
the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a
disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at
work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back
together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the
"family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call
long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name,
address, and phone number of the contact person.
Hurricane Watches and Warnings
A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of
hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is
issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or
greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected
in 24 hours or less.
DURING A HURRICANE WATCH
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Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for
hurricane progress reports.
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Check emergency supplies.
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Fuel car.
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Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys,
and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought
inside.
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Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows.
Remove outside antennas.
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Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open
only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
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Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles,
and cooking utensils.
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Review evacuation plan.
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Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe
place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use
tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.
DURING A HURRICANE WARNING
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Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or
television for official instructions.
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If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate
immediately.
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Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof
container on the highest level of your home.
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Avoid elevators.
If at home:
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Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass
doors.
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Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a
source of light.
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If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce
power "surge" when electricity is restored.
If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:
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Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch
for washed-out bridges.
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Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning
off electricity and the main water valve.
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Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are
going.
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If time permits, and you live in an identified surge
zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or
better yet, move it to a higher floor.
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Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm
protective clothing.
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Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
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Lock up home and leave.
AFTER
Stay tuned to local radio for information.
Help injured or trapped persons.
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Give first aid where appropriate.
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Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in
immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to
do so.
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Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them
immediately to the power company, police, or fire
department.
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Enter your home with caution.
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Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher
ground by flood water.
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Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
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Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
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Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its
contents and for insurance claims.
Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads
and washed-out bridges.
Use telephone only for emergency calls.
INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED
HOME
Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing
noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off
the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas
company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any
reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or
broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off
the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you
have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker,
call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect
sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a
plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company
and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by
melting ice cubes.
MITIGATION
Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency,
reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the
damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in
preventive mitigation steps now such as strengthening
unreinforced masonry to withstand wind and flooding and
installing shutters on every window will help reduce the impact
of hurricanes in the future. For more information on mitigation,
contact your local emergency management office.
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