The Essential Steps for
Hurricane Preparedness

1. Keep informed. Know the latest information on storm activity, safety information as well as evacuation and shelter information from your local media

2. Develop a plan for responding to an evacuation order if issued by local government. Decide where to go, how to get there, what to take, and who to notify about your decision.

3. Prepare a Family Communication Plan.  Designate a friend or relative far from the area to be affected by the storm as your family contact in the event you are separated from family members during a hurricane.  Know where your family members are going to be and know how to get in touch with them as a storm approaches. 

4. Help prepare seniors, disabled and those with special needs. Familiy, friends, and neighbors with special needs may be unable to get fully prepared for a storm and a potential evacuation. Help them through the steps shown here, paying special attention to medications and medical equipment.

5. Assume you will be without electricity + water and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit 

·   Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries  DO NOT USE CANDLES

·    Battery-powered radio with extra batteries

·    First aid kit

·    Prescription medications in their original bottle, plus copies of the prescriptions

·    Eyeglasses (with copy of the prescription)

·   Water (at least one gallon per person per day is recommended; more is better)

·    Foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking

·    Items that infants and elderly household members may require

·    Medical equipment and devices such as dentures, crutches, prostheses, etc

·    Change of clothes for each household member

·    Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member

·    Checkbook, cash, and credit cards  (Assume ATM and Credit Cards may not be usable if electricity is out)

·    Map of the area
 

6. Gather important documents or copies

·  Driver's license or personal identification

·   Social Security card

·    Proof of residence (deed or lease)

·    Insurance policies

·   Birth and marriage certificates

·   Stock, bonds, and other negotiable certificates

·    Will, deed, and copies of recent tax returns

·    Backup onto discs your most important computer documents

·    Take photographs of your possessions around the home for insurance purposes.

7. Take steps to prevent damage to your home

·  Remove diseased or damaged tree limbs and shrubs

·  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

·   Install precut 1/2" outdoor plywood for each window of your home

·   Reinforce double entry doors by adding bolts to the top and bottom of the inactive door

·   Install protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors

·  Strengthen garage doors

·  Remove outside antennas etc.

8. If you must evacuate to a shelter, bring the following with you:

·   Disaster supply kit items as noted above

·   Pillows and bedding items

·   Toys and activities for the kids 

·   Please note: Pets are not permitted in Red Cross Shelters

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VIEW AND PRINT YOUR
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE HERE

Hurricane Season 2010 UPDATES

UPDATE / Aug 5 2010 from the National Hurricane Center

FACEBOOK: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

MOBILE Information from the National Hurricane Center & the National Weather Service

EMAIL Updates on Tropical Cyclones & Marine Advisories

VIEW AND PRINT YOUR
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE HERE