What to do?
Before a Hurricane
- Plan an evacuation route.
o Get in touch with the emergency office.
- Get familiar with safe inland routes.
o Prepare to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
o Have supplies that can be used in case of disaster handy.
o Additional batteries and flashlight/lantern.
o Portable radio, battery operated.
o First aid kit and manual.
o Emergency food and water.
o Non-electric can opener.
o Essential medication.
o Cash and credit cards.
o Resistant shoes.
- Make arrangements for your pets.
- Ensure that all your family members know how to react after a hurricane.
o Teach your family members when and how to shut off gas, electricity and water.
o Teach children when and how to call 911, the police or fire department and which radio station would broadcast emergency information.
- Protect your windows.
o Permanent shutters are the best protection. The cheapest method is to install plywood panels. Use ½ inch wooden planks – marine plywood is the best – cut to fit each window. Do not forget to mark which plank corresponds to each window.
o Drill holes every 18 inches for the screws. Do this before the storm arrives.
o Trim or cut dead or weak branches in the trees.
- Verify your flood insurance.
o You can get information about the National Flood Insurance Program through your insurance broker or your community’s emergency office. There is usually a 30 day waiting period for the new policy to enter into effect.
o Homeowner policies do not cover damage caused by flooding resulting from a hurricane.
- Develop an emergency communication plan.
o In case the family members are separated from each other during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when the adults are at work and the children at school), have a plan to reunite.
o Ask a relative or friend living out of state to act as the “family contact”. After a disaster, it is often easier to make long distance calls. Make sure that everyone in the family knows the name, address and telephone of the contact person.
