History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane Preparedness Week during 2009 will be held May 24th through May 30th.
Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense. You should be able to answer the following questions before a hurricane threatens: What are the Hurricane Hazards? What does it mean to you? What actions should you take to be prepared?
Basic Hurricane Safety Actions - Know if you live in an evacuation area. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge,flooding and wind. Have a written plan based on this knowledge.
- At the beginning of hurricane season (June 1st), check the supplies for your disaster supply kit, replace batteries and use food stocks on a rotating basis.
- During hurricane season, monitor the tropics.
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio. It is an excellent / official source for real-time weather information and warnings.
- If a storm threatens, heed the advice from local authorities. Evacuate if ordered.
- Execute your family plan
WATCH vs. WARNING - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE - A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours.
This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc. - A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less.
Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completingprotective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
Be sure to ask other family members, friends and neighbors if they are HURRICANE AWARE too. | TAKING ACTION is as easy as 1-2-3: | | | | Before Hurricane Season Starts YOU SHOULD:
 | | Assemble your Disaster Supply Kit.
These items are often scattered around your home and simply need to be brought together into one location. | | Write out your Family Disaster Plan.
Discuss the possible hazards with your family. Determine if you are in an evacuation area. Identify an out-of-town family contact. |
| When a Hurricane Watch is issuedYOU SHOULD:
| | Check your Disaster Supply Kit.
Make sure nothing is missing. Determine if there is anything you need to supplement your kit. Replenish your water. | | Activate your Family Disaster Plan.
Protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (for example, securing a boat or leaving a barrier island). |
| When a Hurricane Warning is issuedYOU SHOULD:
| | Ready your Disaster Supply Kit for use.
If you need to evacuate, you should bring your Supply Kit with you. | | Use your Family Disaster Plan.
Your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm. |
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 Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge,flooding and wind.
Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles. Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911. Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit. Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors. Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
 Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils Blankets / Pillows, etc. Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs Special Items - for babies and the elderly Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes Flashlight / Batteries Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods Keys Toys, Books and Games Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. Tools - keep a set with you during the storm Vehicle fuel tanks filled Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash
Hurricane Hazard Preparedness
"The greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from the storm surge."
STORM SURGE SAFETY ACTIONS - Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the roadways.
- Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route. Do not get on the road without a planned route, or a place to go.
- Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan with them before hurricane season.
- You may also choose a hotel/motel outside of the vulnerable area.
- If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.
- Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.
- Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household whom may require special assistance in order to evacuate.
- Prepare a separate pet plan, most public shelters do not accept pets.
- Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.
- Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.
- Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.
- If your family evacuation plan includes an RV, boat or trailer, leave early. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well underway to start your trip.
- If you live in an evacuation zone and are ordered to evacuate by state or local officials, do so as quickly as possible. Do not wait or delay your departure, to do so will only increase your chances of being stuck in traffic, or even worse, not being able to get out at all.
- Expect traffic congestion and delays during evacuations. Expect and plan for significantly longer travel times than normal to reach your family's intended destination.
- Stay tuned to a local radio or television station and listen carefully for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials. Monitor your NOAA Weather Radio.
HIGH WIND SAFETY ACTIONS - before hurricane season - Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high-winds. Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current building code high-wind provisions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms. Please visit IBHS (Institute for Business and Home Safety)
- Protect all windows by installing commercial shutters or preparing 5/8 inch plywood panels. More info
- Garage doors are frequently the first feature in a home to fail. Reinforce all garage doors so that they are able to withstand high winds. More info
- If you do not live in an evacuation zone or a mobile home, designate an interior room with no windows or external doors as a “Safe Room”. More info #1 More info #2
- Before hurricane season, assess your property to ensure that landscaping and trees do not become a wind hazard.
- Trim dead wood and weak / overhanging branches from all trees.
- Certain trees and bushes are vulnerable to high winds and any dead tree near a home is a hazard.
- Consider landscaping materials other than gravel/rock.
HIGH WIND SAFETY ACTIONS - as a hurricane approaches - Most mobile / manufactured homes are not built to withstand hurricane force winds. Residents of homes not meeting that level of safety should relocate to a nearby safer structure once local officials issue a hurricane evacuation order for their community.
- Once a hurricane warning is issued, install your window shutters or plywood panels. More info
- When a hurricane warning is issued for your community, secure or bring inside all lawn furniture and other outside objects that could become a projectile in high winds.
- Listen carefully for safety instructions from local officials, and go to your designated “Safe Room” when directed to do so.
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- Do not leave your “Safe Room” until directed to do so by local officials, even if it appears that the winds calmed. Remember that there is little to no wind in the eye of a hurricane.
 Hurricanes can also produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane. However, they are also often found elsewhere embedded in the rainbands, well away from the center of the hurricane.
Tornado Safety Actions - Homes - Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- When a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to take action.
- When a tornado warning is issued, or a tornado is imminent, move to a small interior room away from windows.
- Consider constructing a tornado safe room in or adjacent to your home.
Tornado Safety Actions - Mobile and Manufactured Homes - Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- Have a plan of where to go during a tornado threat—a nearby pre-identified safe structure within walking distance.
- When a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to take action.
- When conditions warrant, move to the pre-identified safe structure.
- If you live in a mobile or manufactured home park, get together with other residents and the park owner/manager to designate safe shelter areas in the park or community.
Tornado Safety Actions - Offices, Condominiums and Hotels - Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- When action is required, take shelter in an interior hallway on a lower floor, closet or small room.
- As a last resort, get under heavy furniture, away from windows.
 "In the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, inland flooding was responsible for more than half of the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States."
What can you do?- When you hear hurricane, think inland flooding.
- Determine whether you live in a potential flood zone.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.
- Move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing water. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Develop a flood emergency action plan.
- Have flood insurance. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Do not make assumptions. Check your policy.
The National Flood Insurance Program, is a pre-disaster flood mitigation and insurance protection program. The National Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and business ownersNational Flood Insurance Program call 1-888-CALL-FLOOD ext. 445, TDD# 1-800-427-5593. INLAND FLOODING SAFETY ACTIONS - When you hear hurricane, think inland flooding.
- Learn your vulnerability to flooding by determining the elevation of your property.
- Evaluate your insurance coverage; as construction grows around areas, floodplains change. If you are in a flood area, consider what mitigation measure you can do in advance. More from theNational Flood Insurance Program.
- In highly flood-prone areas, keep materials on hand like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, lumber, shovels, work boots and gloves. Call your local emergency management agency to learn how to construct proper protective measures around your home.
- Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas known to flood, so you or your evacuation routes are not cut off.
- Monitor NOAA Weather Radio.
- Avoid driving into water of unknown depth. Moving water can quickly sweep your vehicle away.
- Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
- Test drinking water for potability; wells should be pumped out and the water tested before drinking.
- Do not use fresh food that has come in contact with floodwaters. Wash canned goods that come in contact with floodwaters with soap and hot water.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
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