Hurricane
Know What a Watch or Warning Means
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
How to Prepare for High Winds
What to Do When a Hurricane Watch Is Issued
What to Do When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued
What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
More Information
Here's what you can do to prepare for such
an emergency.
Know
What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
- WATCH: Hurricane conditions are
possible
in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.
- WARNING: Hurricane conditions are
expected
in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.
Prepare
a Personal Evacuation Plan
- Identify ahead of time where you could
go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home
in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
- Keep handy the telephone numbers of
these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to
take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or
clogged.
- Listen to
NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation
instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Take these items 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
- Car keys and maps
- Documents, including driver’s
license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance
policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax
records, etc.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned food and can opener.
- At least three gallons of water per
person.
- Protective clothing, rainwear, and
bedding or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and
extra batteries.
- Special items for infants, elderly, or
disabled family members.
- Written instructions on how to turn off
electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so.
(Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
Prepare
for High Winds
- Install hurricane shutters or purchase
precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install
anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you
can put it up quickly.
- Make trees more wind resistant by
removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing
branches so that wind can blow through.
Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued
- Listen to
NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm
information.
- Prepare to bring inside any lawn
furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants,
and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
- Prepare to cover all windows of your
home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as
described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from
breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
- Fill your car's gas tank.
- Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
- Check batteries and stock up on canned
food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.
Know
What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued
- Listen to the advice of local officials,
and leave if they tell you to do so.
- Complete preparation activities.
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay
indoors, away from windows.
- Be aware that the calm "eye" is
deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will
happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite
direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the
first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
- Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can
happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in
the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
- Stay away from flood waters. If you come
upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught
on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of
the car and climb to higher ground.
Know
What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over
- Keep listening to
NOAA
Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
- If you evacuated, return home when local
officials tell you it is safe to do so.
- Inspect your home for damage.
- Use flashlights in the dark; do not use
candles.
Red Cross Can Provide
Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
(click for Spanish)
Please call (800) 777-6620 ext. 6223 to request these materials
Materials for Children:
- "Jason and Robin's Awesome Hurricane
Adventure" workbook (ARC 5044) and video (ARC 5044V) designed for
children in grades 4-6.
-
"Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book" (PDF
File)
(ARC 2200, English, or
ARC 2200S, Spanish (PDF File)) by
children ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC
5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with children in
grades 4-6.
- "After the Storm" Coloring Book (ARC
2206, English, or ARC 2206S, Spanish)
See also...
PDF version with full color photos of National Weather Service
in-depth brochure on hurricanes
(Caution: this takes a long time to download)
PDF Version of "Against the Wind: Protecting Your Home From Hurricane
Wind Damage"
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