Appendix A- Hurricane Preparedness

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

PREPARE A PERSONAL EVACUATION PLAN

Identify ahead of time where you will go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places—a friend or relative’s home in another town, a hotel, or a designated Red Cross shelter.
Have an out-of-town or out-of-state friend or relative as a family contact. Your family members should all have a single point of contact.
Keep telephone numbers handy of the places you plan to go, as well as a road map. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or jammed.
All vehicle fuel tanks should be filled as soon as the possible day and times of landfall is announced.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by Homeowners Insurance.
Remember that cell phones will not be operable if local cellular towers are damaged.
Prepare for High Winds well ahead of time. Taping windows will not prevent glass breakage. Secure lawn and patio furniture indoors or in the garage. Bar-B- Q pits and outdoor lawn equipment should be secured. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically remove branches so that wind can blow through.
Listen to your local officials and leave if they tell you to do so.

Items to take with you when evacuating:

Prescription medications and medical supplies; bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows; bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight, extra car keys and maps. Personal valuables, pictures, and keepsakes should be taken if time permits or stored and secured in waterproof containers.
Documents: including driver’s license, Social Security cards, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc. Water - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
Food items:at least enough for 3 to 7 days
Cash (small bills) and Credit Cards:Hometown banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods of time.

In the unfortunate event of a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right away, and it may take days for help to arrive. Know what your family will do if you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and comfort during these difficult times.