What do do when a hurricane comes

 

Hurricane Watches and Warnings
A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 mph or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.

During a Hurricane Watch
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Check emergency supplies. Fuel car. Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools, and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside. Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils. Review evacuation plan. Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

During a Hurricane Warning
Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions. If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. Avoid elevators. If at home: stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light. If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored. If officials indicate evacuation is necessary, leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges. Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve. Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going. If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor. Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing. Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter. Lock up home and leave.

After a hurricane hits

Stay tuned to local radio for information. Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help. Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so. Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department. Enter your home with caution. Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood water. Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home. Check refrigerated foods for spoilage. Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims. Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Use telephone only for emergency calls.

Inspecting utilities in a damaged home

Check for gas leaks -- if you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

information from Baynews9.com

Hurricane Checklist

Hurricane Kit
  • Flashlights and extra bulbs
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don't get candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
  • Extra batteries
  • Matches
  • Clock (wind-up or battery-operated)
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Working fire extinguishers
  • Scissors
  • Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots
  • An inexpensive rabbit-ears television antenna to use if cable goes out
House Checklist
  • Gather supplies early
  • Store loose outdoor items
  • Anchor small sheds
  • Trim dead branches from trees and shrubs
  • Put chorine in pool - protect filter motor
  • Tape or board up windows
  • Fill gas tank of cars - park in safe place
  • Remove valuables (furniture and rugs) from the floor
  • Move furniture away from window - cover with plastic
  • Put important documents in waterproof container
  • Get extra cash (ATMs may lose power)
  • Keep tuned to Bay News 9 for the latest information

Food and Water

  • Bottled water. Figure on a gallon of drinking water per person per day.
  • Shelf-package juice and milk boxes
  • Canned and powdered milk
  • Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea)
  • Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, fruit cocktail, packaged pudding)
  • Canned vegetables and fruits
  • Dried fruits
  • Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
  • Snack spreads (peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
  • Cereals
  • Raw vegetables
  • Sugar, salt, pepper
  • Bread
  • Dry and canned pet food
  • Right now, buy all the nonperishable foods you will need, put them in a box and leave them alone, except to rotate stock. Stock up on ice and pack coolers as early as possible. Freezing them ahead of time is less hassle than fighting for them at a store.
  • Before the storm, turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and drape blankets over them, but keep bottom vents clear. Then move perishables you'll use first into ice chests to limit opening of refrigerators.
  • Designate one cooler you will open regularly; fill that with drinks and less perishable items. Set aside other coolers for more perishable things such as meats and open them only rarely.
  • Crank up your ice maker, break out the ice cube trays or fill jugs with water,
  • so you can be making and storing ice in your freezer or coolers around the clock.
  • Store cubes or small blocks of ice in sealed bags and containers so you can drink it after it melts.
  • Clean your bathtub out, then wash it with bleach. Rinse thoroughly. If possible, line it with plastic. Then fill it and as many clean bottles as you can with drinking water. Fill your toilet tank; you'll want it to flush after the storm.
Hardware
  • Hand tools - hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
  • Power screwdriver
  • 4x8-foot sheets of plywood 5/8-inch to 1/2-inch thick to put over windows. Ask for exterior plywood.
  • 1/4 machine screw sockets and screws.
  • Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
  • Rope
  • Sturdy working gloves
  • Duct tape to waterproof items; masking tape isn't strong enough.
  • Canvas tarps
  • Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need.
Medical Needs
  • Medic-alert tags
  • Insect-repellent sprays and candles
  • Feminine hygiene items
  • Sunscreen
  • Soap
  • First-aid kit and first-aid handbook
  • A supply of any prescription drugs
  • Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies, cough)
  • Children's medicines
  • Aspirin
  • Bandages
  • Adhesive tape
  • Cotton-tipped swabs
  • Antiseptic solution
  • Sterile rolls, bandages
  • Ear drops
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers
  • Needles
  • Disinfectant baby needs
  • Disposable diapers, wipes
  • Formula, baby food
  • Diaper rash ointment, petroleum jelly
  • Baby medicines (pain, cold, cough)
  • Medicine dropper
Emergency Toilet
  • Small can with tight lid
  • Plastic bags for liners
  • Disinfectant or bleach
  • Deodorizer
Kitchen Supplies
  • Plastic to line bathtub to fill with water
  • Jugs or containers to store water
  • Water purification tablets (usually available only in drug stores), 2 percent tincture of iodine or ordinary household bleach, which contains hypochlorite as its only active ingredient - not bleach with soap, lemon or other additives.
  • Manual can opener
  • Bottle opener
  • Matches
  • Pocketknife - preferably Swiss Army style
  • Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use canned fuel, not charcoal or gas
  • Disposable dishes
  • Ice chests or coolers
  • Paper plates, napkins, cutlery, cups

information from Baynews9.com