Hurricanes are extremely dangerous storms that can cause widespread property damage, serious injury and threaten lives. Property damage can occur not only from hurricane force winds, but from coastal flooding caused by tidal surge, inland flooding from heavy rains, and from tornadoes that can develop as a hurricane moves over land.
If you live in an area that can be threatened by a hurricane, there are steps you can take to help keep you safe, reduce the potential for property damage, and help you deal with the aftermath of a storm.
BEFORE A HURRICANE threatens your area it is recommended that you take the following precautions:
Protect Your Family
- Become familiar with your local disaster plans
- Learn the locations of your local emergency shelters
- Learn the guidelines for your community has for pets in emergency shelters
- Make plans for sheltering your pet
- Know your community's evacuation routes and have plans in case you need to evacuate
- Assemble a disaster kit and keep it in a designated place
- Prepare a safe room
- Install a standby generator in case you lose power
- For more information about planning for a hurricane visit the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm
Protect Your Property
- Protect your windows by installing hurricane shutters
- Install hurricane straps that fasten your home's roof to the frame structure
- Purchase a proper level of property insurance including Flood Insurance
IF A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED for your area it is recommended that you:
- Listen to the radio or television to obtain important emergency information for your area
- Follow the advice and instructions of your local, county and state emergency management officials
- Secure all outdoor furniture and equipment or bring it indoors
- Secure hurricane shutters, board up windows, and secure all doors, garage doors and other openings
- Be sure that you have at least a 3-day supply of food and water for each member of your household
DURING A HURRICANE it is recommended that you:
- Follow the instructions of your local emergency management authorities
- Evacuate if you are instructed directed by local authorities to do so, or if you:
- live in a mobile home or temporary structure
- live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway
- If you feel you are in danger
- Go to your safe room, if you have one
- Stay indoors during a hurricane and stay away from windows and glass doors until the hurricane has passed. Don't go outside if there is a lull in the storm as it could be the eye of the storm. Winds are likely to pick up suddenly after the eye passes
- Close all interior doors-secure and brace external doors
- Keep curtains and blinds closed
- Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level
- Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object
- For more information about what to do during a hurricane visit the FEMA website at: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_during.shtm
• Check for injuries and seek appropriate medical care if necessary
• Be Careful! Hurricanes can create hazardous conditions and safety issues including:
- Broken glass
- Downed power and utility lines - NEVER TOUCH a downed wire - notify your local authorities
- Damaged electrical systems
- Gas leaks
- Flooded or washed out roads and bridges
- Contaminated water
- Slippery surfaces including floors, walkways and roads
- Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads and bridges, and dead animals
