Don’t return home until you’re told it’s safe.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over ocean water and often move toward land. Hurricanes bring high winds, heavy rain, storm surge (rise in water level), flooding and tornadoes. These storms are dangerous and can cause damage to places far inland.
Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding. Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely. Take time now to gather the supplies and knowledge you will need when the storm arrives.
Plan to Evacuate
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.
- Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.
- Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.
- Mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.
Plan to Shelter Safely
- Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.
- Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
- If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you.
Prepare for Wind
- Secure items outside, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.
- Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks.
- Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home. Review insurance policies.
- Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.
Prepare for Flooding
- Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts.
- Stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.
- Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup.
- Consider elevating the heating system, water heater, and electric panel.
If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, grab your emergency kit and go right away. If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone, you will need to decide whether to leave the area, move to higher ground nearby, or stay in your home. If you decide to stay home, remember that even if the high winds and floodwaters do not reach your home, you may lose power and water, and you may not be able to leave your home for several days if the roads are impassable.
Evacuating
- If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away.
- Bring your Go Kit.
- Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
- Check with local officials for shelter locations.
Staying at Home
- Determine your best protection for high winds and flooding.
- Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
- Stay away from glass windows and doors.
- Move to higher ground before flooding begins.
If you evacuated, don’t return home until local officials have declared that it is safe to enter your community and you have the supplies you will need. If your home was damaged by hurricane-force winds or flooding after the storm, it should be carefully inspected and thoroughly cleaned.
Safety Basics
- Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.
- Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill.
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.
How to Clean Up Safely
- Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
- When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner. Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment, such as chainsaws.
- Heart attacks are a leading cause of deaths after a hurricane. Be mindful of overworking.
Tips to Stay Healthy
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance if you have refrigerated medicines that got warm.
- Avoid drinking tap water until local officials say it is safe.
Take Care of Yourself
- It’s normal to have a lot of feelings.
- Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
References
Hurricane Safety, The American National Red Cross, Available at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html
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