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Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
Hurricanes and tropical storms are rotating storms that form over warm waters. These storms bring high winds, heavy rain, storm surge (rise in water level), flooding and tornadoes. Climate change has caused hurricanes to strengthen faster and bring heavier rainfall. The most common cause of death during a hurricane is from drowning. These storms are dangerous and can damage places far inland. But we can take action to prepare. Prepare now to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home.
What to Do Before:
Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding. Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately:
• You may have to leave your home quickly and go to a safe place.
• Know where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay.
• Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.
• Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) are not safe in high wind events. Plan ahead by preparing to evacuate to a safe location.
Plan to shelter safely
• Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone and internet for a long time.
• Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small room with no windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building that is not likely to flood.
• Be aware that flooding can happen quickly. Have a plan to evacuate fast before floodwaters reach you.
• Create a personal support team of people you may assist and who can assist you.
Plan to stay connected:
• Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
• Plan to monitor local weather and news.
• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
• Have a battery-powered radio during a power outage.
• Understand the types of alerts that you may receive and have a plan to respond when you receive them.
Alerts you may receive include: Hurricane Watch & Warning, Tropical Storm Watch & Warning, Extreme Wind Warning, Storm Surge Watch & Warning, Flash Flood Watch & Warning, Flood Watch & Warning.
* A WATCH means Be Prepared!
* A WARNING means Take Action!
Learn emergency skills
• Learn First Aid and CPR.
• Be ready to live without power. Utilities may be offline. Be ready to live without power, gas and water. Plan for your electrical needs, including cell phones and medical equipment. Talk to your doctor. Plan for backup power.
Gather emergency supplies
Gather food, water and medicine. Stores and pharmacies might be closed. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.
• Go-Kit: at least three days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
• Stay-at-Home Kit: at least two weeks of supplies.
• Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container and medical supplies or equipment.
• Keep personal, financial and medical records safe and easy to access (hard copies or securely backed up). Consider keeping a list of your medications and dosages on a small card to carry with you.
Protect Your Home
Wind
• Secure or bring inside outdoor items, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks.
• Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home.
• Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or sheeting.
Protect Your Home
Flood
• Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts.
• Stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.
• Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup.
• Consider elevating the heating system, water heater and electric panel.
• Review insurance policies with your agency.
