Hurricane survival tips
Every year families should review their hurricane plans and make changes as necessary. If you plan to evacuate, your plan should include where you will go, the route to get there, when you will leave and what to take with you, and what preparations you will make to your home.
If you plan to stay, make sure that you have all the supplies necessary to be on your own for at least 72 hours. If you are planning to go to an evacuation shelter, have your shelter supplies kit packed and ready.
- Fuel your vehicle
- Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
- Install your storm shutters or plywood and secure all doors.
- Prepare Boats as appropriate
- Turn up refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings.
- Turn off small appliances that are not needed.
- If you evacuate turn off your air conditioner. If you stay at home and the power goes off, turn off your air conditioner. Turn it back on only after power has been restored in your area.
- Turn off all liquid propane tanks.
- Fill sinks and bathtubs with water.
- Get an extra supply of cash.
- Call someone out of town to let them know of your plans. Then instruct other family members to call that person for information about you after the storm. It is usually easier for you to call out of the area after a storm than it is for others to call into the area.
- Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Go to an interior first floor section of the house, such as a hallway, bathroom or closet.
- Close all interior doors and brace exterior doors.
- Lie on the floor, under a sturdy object.
- If the eye of the storm passes over, it will be calm for a short period of time. Remain indoors. Shortly after winds will increase rapidly to hurricane force from the opposite direction.
- Remain calm. It may take several hours for the storm to pass.
- Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. Immediately following the passage of the storm, debris and flood waters may be covering roadways, making them impassable.
- Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may also be electrically charged from downed power lines.
- Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood waters.
- Enter your home with extreme caution. Beware of fallen objects or damaged roofs and wall sections. Watch for nails, splinters, holes in walls and floors, wet or falling sections of ceiling, undermined foundations and gas leaks. Use flashlights for light. Do not use matches, torches or other open flame.
- Remove shutters or plywood and open windows and doors to ventilate or dry your home if necessary.
- Check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for for damage. Do not attempt to repair damaged gas or electrical lines. Call a professional.
- Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain that it is not contaminated.
