FACT
SHEET: HURRICANES/TROPICAL STORMS
Hurricanes/Tropical Storms can be dangerous killers.
Learning the hurricane/tropical storm warning messages
and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury
or major property damage.
Before
the Storm
Plan an evacuation route.
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
- Nonelectric
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.
During
the storm
Hurricane/Tropical
Storm Watches and Warnings
A
hurricane/tropical storm watch is issued when there
is a threat of hurricane/tropical conditions within
24-36 hours. A hurricane/tropical storm warning
is issued when hurricane/tropical storm conditions
(winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously
high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours
or less.
DURING
A HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM 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/TROPICAL STORM 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
the storm
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
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.
MITIGATION
Mitigation
includes any activities that prevent an emergency,
reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or
lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies.
Investing in preventive mitigation steps now such
as strengthening unreinforced masonry to withstand
wind and flooding and installing shutters on every
window will help reduce the impact of hurricanes
in the future. For more information on mitigation,
contact your local emergency management office.
