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The national hurricane center has information regarding actions that you can take based on specific hurricane hazards. The most important thing that you can do is to be informed and prepared. Disaster prevention includes both being prepared as well as reducing damages.
Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Learn safe routes inland.
Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
Have disaster supplies on hand.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Non-electric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Make arrangements for pets.
Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons.
Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Protect your windows.
Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood - marine plywood is best - cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window.
Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance.
You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective.
Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
BOATER’S HURRICANE PREPARATION CHECKLIST
FROM THE NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (NMMA)
Be prepared before the hurricane…
Check your marine insurance carefully to see if you are required to take some action in order to make the claim valid.
Check with your marina and find out their policy for handling hurricanes. In some states marinas can order all boats to leave.
If you are going to move your boat, determine where you’re moving it ahead of time.
Learn the storm surge history and elevation of your area.
When a hurricane watch is issued (a watch means hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to the watch area within 36 hours)
Frequently monitor radio, TV, NOAA Weather Radio, or hurricane Hotline telephone numbers for official bulletins of the storm's progress.
Move boats on trailers close to house. Weigh them down. Lash securely to trailer and use tie-downs to anchor trailer to ground or house. Let air out of trailer tires.
Boats docked at marinas should have extra lines attached. Line lengths should be sufficient to take care of excessive high water.
Once your boat is secured, leave it and don't return once the wind and waves are up.
When a hurricane warning is issued (a warning means sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected in the warning area within 24 hours or less)
Closely monitor radio, TV, NOAA Weather Radio, or hurricane Hotline telephone numbers for official bulletins.
After the storm passes, drive carefully; watch for dangling electrical wires, undermined roads, and flooded low spots. Post Hurricane and Safety Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice to help people protect themselves from illness, injury, and death after the storms subside.
Do not drive through flooded roads. Cars can be swept away or break down.
Listen to announcements in local media (radio, TV, or newspaper) to find out if it's safe to use tap water. Follow the instructions given for using water.
If you do not know whether the water is safe to use, boil water before you use it for anything (brushing teeth, cooking, drinking or bathing).
Throw away any food that may have been touched by flood water or may be unsafe to eat because of power loss.
Use canned baby formulas that are ready-to-use (you don't have to add anything to them). Do not prepare infant formulas with water that has been treated with chemicals.
Be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards as you return to and begin cleaning homes or other buildings.
To prevent growth of some bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew that can cause illness, disinfect and dry out buildings and the items in them.
Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights instead of candles.
Some small engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, gas ranges put off carbon monoxide gas and should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Burning charcoal and wood may also emit dangerous fumes.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes: wear long-sleeved and long-legged clothing, and use insect repellents that contain DEET.
