Hurricanes can cause a lot of damage, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Due to their large size and strong winds, they can affect areas far inland even if the eye – or center – of the storm remains close to the coast.
It’s important to know:
- How to prepare for a hurricane.
- How to stay safe as the storm passes through.
- How to deal with the aftermath of the hurricane.
Being prepared in the event of a hurricane is vital to keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your home safe. This guide will cover essential hurricane safety tips to help you create a plan to weather these massive storm systems.
Planning for a Hurricane
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends November 30th. Likewise, the Pacific hurricane season ends the same date, but starts earlier – May 15th. Panic generally surfaces as a result of not having the necessary information and supplies beforehand, making it imperative that you prepare before the hurricane season begins.
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- Before: Create a Plan
- Stay informed
- Know your evacuation routes
- Know emergency contact numbers
- Have an emergency supplies kit
- Hurricane-proof your home
- During: Weather the Storm
- Continue monitoring news and weather reports
- Follow local authority guidelines
- If advised to, evacuate
- Seek shelter away from windows and remain indoors
- In the event of flooding, move to higher ground
- Keep your emergency supplies handy
- After: Safely Clean Up
- Avoid walking and driving in flooded areas
- Look out for loose power lines and unstable trees and poles
- Do not remove heavy debris on your own
- Do not drink tap water until authorities say it is safe
- Before: Create a Plan
Be Informed, Stay Informed
Stay informed about current weather events using weather and news apps. It’s easy to sign up for alerts and notifications of incoming tropical storms and hurricanes. Important information can also be found in local and community-specific resources and alerts. It’s important to know what kind of emergencies are common to your area to inform on the preparations needed.
National Weather Service Alerts
The National Weather Service (NWS) will issue alerts when tropical storms or hurricanes are active in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean. Knowing the distinction between different alerts and the corresponding threat level can help provide a timeframe for your preparations.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Advisory: Advisories are issued to ensure caution is used to avoid life-threatening situations when conditions cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch: A Watch is issued when a tropical storm or hurricane may hit landfall within 48 hours. Monitor the news and weather reports and make sure you have the necessary supplies in the event of an evacuation or power outage.
Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning: A Warning is issued when a tropical storm or hurricane is expected within 36 hours. When a Warning is issued, if local authorities have requested an evacuation, gather your emergency supplies, and immediately leave the area.
Emergency Contact Numbers
In the event of an emergency, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.
Relief Organizations
- American Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or 866-438-4636; for Spanish, call 800-257-7575
- Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Federal and Local Resources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: 1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired.
- Community Information Hotline: 2-1-1
Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362
1. Be Prepared: Create a Plan
Protect Your Home
If you live in an area that gets impacted by hurricanes, protecting your home is one of the most crucial steps you can take in ensuring your safety.
- Remove outdoor clutter: clear drains and gutters from debris, clear yard waste, and bring potted plants indoors along with any other objects that could be carried away in strong winds and cause damage. Anchor items that are dangerous to bring indoors such as grills and propane tanks.
- Protect your windows: use shutters or plywood boards to protect your windows from flying debris.
- Tend to trees: trim or remove trees that could be uprooted and cause damage to your home or vehicle.
- Waterproof your home: stock up on protective materials such as sandbags and install water alarms, sump pumps, and check valves in sewer lines if possible.
- Review your insurance policies: note that you may need to buy a separate insurance policy to cover flood losses.
The Evacuation Plan
In the event of a severe storm surge, local authorities may issue an evacuation notice. To be better prepared:
- Make sure your gas tank is full when hurricane watches and warnings begin to go out.
- Know your evacuation routes which can be found on your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency management website.
- Know your emergency shelter location or the rendezvous point for you and your household.
- Plan with your entire household so that everyone knows where to meet and what the plan is.
- Have your emergency supplies ready and a bag with other essentials packed.
- Know your plan for pets and have their necessary supplies packed and ready to go. Make sure to check with public emergency shelters whether pets are allowed. If not, make the appropriate arrangements to make sure your pet is safe and taken care of.
Emergency Toolkit
Make sure to have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies, toiletries, food, water, and pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk. Our needs change year-to-year so maintain your kit up-to-date by resupplying or adding/removing items as needed.
- Non-perishable foods (e.g. canned and boxed food) and bottled water
- Pet food and supplies
- Infant formula and supplies
- Manual can opener
- Batteries for electronics to stay informed and connected, including backup battery banks for cellphones
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio
- Flashlights and candles
- Matches or lighters
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Disposable plates, cups, utensils
- First-aid kit
- Feminine hygiene products
- Wipes and personal hygiene products
- Prescription and non-prescription medications (pain relievers, anti-histamines, etc)
- Prescription eye-glasses and contacts
- Fire extinguisher
- Sleeping bags and blankets
- Battery powered fans
2. Weather the Storm
Evacuating
If an evacuation notice has been issued: leave immediately! Gather your emergency kit and any additional supplies you may need and follow your evacuation plan.
- Remember to check your evacuation route and have a destination in mind whether it’s an emergency shelter location or somewhere out of state.
- Leave with enough time to avoid getting caught in dangerous weather conditions (remember to check the NWS issues alerts).
- Secure your home by locking doors and windows before you leave.
- Unplug electrical equipment that could cause damage in the event of a flood or leak.
- If possible, contact someone out-of-state to let them know where you will be or leave a note.
Staying Home
If you have not been issued an evacuation notice, pay attention to emergency updates and alerts for your area.
- Take refuge with your household (including pets) in an interior room away from doors and windows.
- Make sure your emergency supplies are with you and accessible.
Lock doors and windows. - Make sure electronics are unplugged and moved away from entry points.
- Be patient and wait for updates and alerts notifying you that it is safe to come out.
3. Post-Hurricane Clean-Up
Whether you were in an evacuation zone or stayed home during the hurricane, it’s important to adhere to instructions given by local officials. When it is safe to leave your shelter location there may be dangerous obstacles in the area including floods and loose power lines.
Clean-up Safety Tips
- Wear protective clothing such as thick gloves when cleaning up debris.
- Do not touch electrical equipment that is wet.
- Do not wade in flood water that can contain pathogens, debris, chemicals, or waste.
- Make sure to clean and disinfect areas in your home that were exposed to the elements. Air out rooms that had flooding or leaks to make sure they properly dry to avoid mold buildup.
- If carpet or flooring is saturated with water after a flood, tear it out to avoid mold growth.
- Document property damage with photographs to be sent to your insurance company.
Food Safety Tips
- Throw out any food that was not maintained during power outages or floods.
- Avoid drinking tap water until it is reported to be safe to do so.
General Tips
- If phone systems are down, save phone calls for emergencies only. Use texts to communicate with family and friends.
- Keep children and pets away from areas with debris or flooding.
You can begin to prepare for hurricane season at before it begins by finding out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, reviewing and updating insurance policies, and putting together your emergency supply kit. These simple preparations will ensure you and your loved ones will be ready to weather the storm and will help you stay safe. Use the checklist to get started today.
Source: Ready.gov • Download PDF Checklist
