 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.
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 pre-drill 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 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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