2010 Hurricane Preparation Guide

Hurricane Preparation List:

Do you know the difference between a hurricane WATCH and a WARNING?

WATCH means hurricane conditions are possible usually within the next 36 hours. You and your family should put your disaster plan into effect and start taking protective measures. This is especially important for those activities requiring extra time.

WARNING means hurricane conditions are expected usuallly within the next 24  hours with sustained winds of a least 74 MPH. At this point, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding where is the safest location to be during the duration of a storm.

Do you have a personal evacuation plan?

Make sure you have a safe place to go or have supplies if you plan to stay.

Make sure you have a plan for you pets.

Do you have a disaster supply kit?

Refer to the "Disaster Supply Kit" in this guide.

Do you know what to do in high winds?

Refer to the "What to do Before, During & After the Storm" section in this guide.

Do you know what to do when a hurricane is over?

Refer to the "What to do Before, During & After the Storm" section in this guide.

Do you have a personal evacuation plan?

Make sure you have a safe place to go.

Disaster Supply Kit

Food:

• Water - at least 1 gallon a day per person for 3-7 days
• At least enough food per person for 3-7 days
• Nonperishable packaged or canned food/juices
• Bread in moisture proof container
• Canned vegetables
• Raisins or other dried fruit
• Canned soups, stew & chili
• Dry milk
• Instant coffee, tea & cocoa
• Unsalted nuts
• Powdered drink mixes
• Bouillion cubes
• Canned pet food
• Packaged condiments
• Cookies, crackers & chips
• Cereal bars
• Baby food
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Small boxes of dried cereal
• Ice & ice chest

First Aid:

• First-aid manual
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 2-inch and 3-inch sterile guaze pads
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages & Butterfly wound closure bandages
• 2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages
• Scissors and tweezers
• Needle, for sewing and removing splinters
• Bar of soap in its own waterproof container
• Antiseptic spray
• Hydrogen peroxide, for cleaning wounds
• Rubbing alchohol
• Iodine, for purifying water & disinfecting wounds
• Thermometer
• Petroleum jelly to relieve itching
• Ointments for burns & cuts
• Various sizes of safety pins
• Latex gloves
• Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and antacid tablets
• Instant cold compress
• Insect sting relief pads

General Supplies:

• Fire Extinguisher
• Clean containers to store water (fill before storm)
• Battery-operated portable digital TV
• Hand tools: hammer, nails, axe, knife, wrench,etc.
• Spare batteries (all sizes)
• Duct tape
• Battery-operated radio, with weather band
• Electric drill with screwdriver bits
• Unscented household bleach to purify water (8 drops per gallon of water)
• Full tank of gas in ALL vehicles
• Mosquito repellent
• Whistle or air horn to signal rescuers
• Lantern with extra fuel
• Rope or heavy cord, 100 feet
• Tarps, canvas, or anything to make temporary roof repairs
• Backup generator with extra fuel stored safely
• Thermal blankets
• Battery operated alarm clock
• Sun screen
• Waterproof matches or butane lighter
• Light sticks, candles are NOT recommended

Personal Supplies:

• CASH
• Photo ID
• Medication and copies of prescriptions
• Copies of health insurance & homeowner policies
• Proof of residence, such as utility bills
• Container to store documents (waterproof)
• Medical history and other important documents
• Camera or camcorder
• Any medical prescriptions ( 1 months worth)
• Toiletries & toiletpaper
• Glasses, contact lenses, and solution
• Pillows, blankets & sleeping bags
• Enough clothes to last a few days
• Gloves, sturdy shoes & rain gear
• Moisture towelettes
• Battery operated phone charger
• Life jacket in case of flooding
• Cell phones, fully charged & extra batteries

Babies, Kids & Elderly

• Disposable diapers
• Medications
• Formula and food
• Any other special necessities

Pets:

• Proper identification
• Immunization records
• Medication
• Leash
• Pet life jackets in case of flooding
• Food, water and food bowls
• Anti-anxiety medication (ask vet)
• Muzzle, may become aggressive after storm
• Carrier big enough for pet to stand up in
• Current picture of pet in case he/she gets lost
• Newspapers or trash bags for clean-up
• Phone numbers of local animal control offices in case pet is separated from you during the storm

Cooking:

• Manual can opener
• Charcoal or lighter fluid
• Disposable utensils and plates
• Paper towels & napkins
• Moisture towelettes
• Antibacterial hand moisturizer
• Portable grill
• Aluminum foil
• Oven mitts or gloves
• Cooking tools, spatulas, pans, coffee pot, etc.
• Garbage bags
• Clean containers to store leftover food
• Propane for grill

Know What To Do In Case Of A Storm

Before a Storm:

Create a Family Disaster Plan:

• I.C.E. "In Case of Emergency" have a single point of contact, an out of state family or friend, in case of separation or busy phone lines in your area.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies in a Disaster Supply Kit.
• Be prepared to evacuate if your local officials issue an evacuation order. Know your evacuation zone.
• Identify the emergency evacuation routes for your area. Do not wait or delay your departure.
• Have a safe place to stay. Plan ahead by contacting family or friends out of harms way and make preparations before the storm. Remember that hotels and other shelters will fill up quickly along the evacuation routes.
• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
• Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicles.
• Make sure to get cash from the bank. Credit card machines could be down for days after a storm.
• Fill all medications for your family. If could be awhile before you can get them filled again.
• Locate a safe room in your home with essentials & emergency items.

Secure Your Home & Outdoor Property:

• Cover all windows. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood. Do NOT use tape.
• Trim trees and remove tree branches to allow wind to pass through.
• Bolt doors or insert a wedge in order to keep them from blowing open during strong winds.
• Lower all antennas such as television or radio.
• Cover furniture and appliances with plastic and place them off the floor.
• Store valuables as high off the floor as possible.
• Fully charge all equipment you might need such as a cell phone or tools.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold, and keep closed unless necessary.
• Cover all outside electrical outlets with duct tape.
• Transfer any unbound objects from yard as they could turn into projectiles.
• Make sure you know how to turn off electricity, gas and water at your residence.
• Secure any large outdoor objects that cannot be moved inside.
• If you have a pool, drain it about 1 foot below the edge, but do not drain the entire pool.
• Fill bathtub and any other large containers with water to use for clean-up and flushing toilets.
• Take pictures of your property. If it is damaged during the storm, you will need proof it was intact before.

Plan for your Pets:

• Make sure they have their current vaccinations with documentation. Pet shelters may require these.
• Fill any medications your pet may need. Also ask your vet about anti-anxiety medications.
• Have a pet carrier that is big enough for your animal to turn around in.
• If you are going to board your pet, check early with the shelters as they will fill up quickly.
• Make sure your pet is wearing identification collar and keep a leash and pet life jacket handy.

During the Storm:

• Listen to your local news or weather radio station for up to date information.
• If you are advised to evacuate, take your emergency disaster kit withyou. Shelters will NOT have food & water supplies.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors and away from windows.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over.
• Pick a safe interior room without windows in case of tornadoes or strong winds. Take air horn or whistles with you.
• Bring pets inside before the storm begins. They are likely to be scared, so try to help them remain calm.

After the Storm:

• Listen to your local weather or radio station. They will keep you up to date on important announcements and instructions on when you can return home.
• If you have been evacuated, keep in mind you may not be able to come home for a few days. Do not try to return home until you have been advised to do so. Roads may be flooded, power lines may be down, and emergency crews may be working to rescue those injured or trapped during the storm.
• Make sure you have easy access to personal identification. You may need this before you are allowed access to your neighborhood or parish. Make sure your driver's license matches your home address.
• Avoid unnecessary driving. Flood waters may still be high or your could be mistaken for a looter. 
• Try not to use your phones except for emergencies. Phone lines will be tied up and phone towers may be down.
• Be careful going outside if water is high. This water can bring snakes and other dangerous animals. Also, do not use the flood water for drinking water. It may be contaminated.
• Make sure to have documented footage of damage to your home and other personal properties. Have this on file before repairs or repair estimates are made.
• Be prepared in case power is out for a prolonged period of time. Make sure to have flashlights or generators. Only set generators in well ventilated areas.
• Do not turn power on if flooding has occurred until a professional has checked out your home.
• Keep your pets on a leash until they are comfortable with the environment again. Scents and landmarks they are used to are likely to have changed. Fences may also be down allowing pets to wander freely in the neighborhood.