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Hurricane Preparation Tips

Hurricane Readiness Guide

If hurricanes and tropical storms have taught us anything, it’s that no matter the technology we have for predicting them, they will always be unpredictable. As the hurricane season heats up, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself and your home for the Mother Nature’s erratic behavior: 


Create an Emergency Kit:

A basic emergency kit will help you keep your family safe and healthy in the event of a disaster. Start collecting the following items a bit at time to make your supply shopping stress-free and budget-friendly:

  • Water- one gallon per day per person for both drinking and sanitation
         Pro-tip: fill the bathtub with water to have an extra supply for sanitation should the water utility be compromised.
  • Nonperishable food and a manual can opener for canned goods
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio, with tone alert and extra batteries, if necessary.
  • Moist towelettes and garbage bags with plastic ties for personal sanitation Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First-aid kit
  • Whistle, to signal for help
  • Wrench and pliers to turn off utilities
  • Cell phone and portable charger
  • Fresh gas stored in a cool, well-ventilated area
  • Important papers such as property deed,
  • Cash
  • Games like cards, books or board games
 
Make an Evacuation Plan:

An evacuation could separate you and your family along the way. That’s why it is important to make a plan to reconnect. Discuss the following with your family before a storm hits:
  • How are you going to receive emergency alerts and warnings?
  • Are you going to evacuate to a shelter? If so, where?
  • What evacuation route do you plan to take?
  • How will you communicate during and after the evacuation?
         There are a variety of apps available to share locations between friends and family. The Red Cross has a hurricane app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
 

Tidy Up Outside the Home:

High winds can cause loose items outside the home to act as projectiles, damaging you or your neighbors’ homes
  • Store furniture and outdoor plants in a garage or other solid structure
  • Clean up any debris outside of the home
  • Park boats and other vehicles or equipment in a safe location

Hurricane Preparedness Guide Download

Please Download our Hurricane Preparedness Guide for more information.

Download the Hurricane Preparedness Guide