Get Prepared Now!
It’s important to remember that just because you were safe last year, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be well prepared. The time to prepare is NOW! Create your personal disaster and evacuation plan and make sure you build a disaster supplies kit. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is your best protection.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
Gather enough emergency supplies to meet your needs. A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home and to keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Your three-day disaster supplies kit should include:
A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc. Please remember that you want to replace stored water and food every six months.
A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries
A manual can opener
Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards. Your original documents should be secured in a locked box or safety deposit box.
Extra long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy footwear
One blanket or sleeping bag per person
A first aid kit, including prescription and non-prescription medicines
Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities.
An extra set of home and car keys
Cash/Credit cards
Special items for infant, elderly or disables family members
An extra pair of glassed or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids
Prepare a Personal Disaster and
Evacuation Plan
The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security urge each and every family to develop a family disaster plan:.
Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.
Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches, and how to use a fire extinguisher. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can turn it back on.
Identify ahead of time where you would go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several different places – a friend’s home outside of the affected area, a motel, or a shelter.
Get a good map and be familiar with your community’s evacuation routes.
Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions.
If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.
In case you have to evacuate, be sure to bring your disaster supplies kit including food, water, battery operated radio, flashlight, first aid kit, medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets, and other hygiene and comfort supplies, along with copies of essential papers and documents.
Be sure to make advanced safety preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact your local humane society or veterinarian for suggestions.
Ask an out-of-town friend or family member to act as “family contact” for everyone to call in case of separation. It is often easier to call long distance after a disaster than to make local calls.
Develop several options for re-establishing communication during times of emergency (phone contact, sending email to a distribution list of family members, use of the Safe and Well Web site at www.redcross.org, etc.)
The Red Cross strongly recommends that individuals and families take preventive measures to ensure their personal safety during a hurricane watch or warning:
Listen to media hurricane progress reports via battery-operated radio or television
Get a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries
Check disaster supplies kit, including food, water and clothing
Fill vehicles with fuel
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside
Secure buildings by covering windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.
Remove outside antennas
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly
Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home
Avoid elevators
If at home:
If in a manufactured home, check tie-downs and evacuate as told by local authorities
Stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors
Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light
If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when power is restored
Prepare for High Winds
Conduct a home hazard hunt and perimeter search, in which you inspect your home for items that can move, fall, break or cause a fire.
Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs
Install hurricane or high-wind shutters on your windows or cut plywood to cover windows, and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors
Strengthen garage doors and un-reinforced masonry
Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile
Evacuation Plan
If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve
Bring disaster supplies kit
Take warm protective clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and prescription medicines
Tell someone outside of your storm area where you are going
Lock your home and leave immediately
Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges
Practice and maintain your plan. Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers and safety rules. Conduct drills.
Something else to keep in mind is the value of neighbors during a difficult time. Working with neighbors can save lives. Know your neighbors’ special skills and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home - that way, all of the children in your neighborhood can be safe.
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