The intensity of hurricanes in the last few years has made city officials act quicker when a disastrous storm is coming our way. As citizens, it is our responsibility to protect our lives as much as it is our families and our homes. In protecting our properties, we are also contributing to protecting those around us. By securing loose items in your yard such as chairs, bbq grills, tables, it reduces the possibility of those items becoming missiles during high winds. Be prepared with essentials, a list is suggested below.
- Cash on hand-
- If power goes out, you will not be able to retrieve cash from an ATM. Many stores do not have back-up generators and phone lines may be down making it impossible to process a debit or credit card
- Water-
- Insure you have enough water for each person for a minimum of one week’s supply (recommended is at least three gallons per person)
- Please make sure you have enough water for your pets.
- If safe to do so, fill your bathtubs with water to use in your commodes in case you loose water access
- If you have a baby, make sure you have ample water for their formula
- Food-
- Recommended available foods are non-perishable items such as bread, canned foods, peanut butter, snacks, sodas if desired.
- Baby food and formula
- Pet food for your pets
- Lighting-
- Flashlights with fresh batteries and backup batteries (1 flashlight per person is recommended)
- Candles and kerosene lamps are NOT recommended as they can be knocked over and cause a fire
- Fresh smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries
- Medicines
- Refill your medicines and take them with you if you are leaving. If staying, put it in a dry secure place like your dishwasher
- Refill your family members medicines
- Refill your pet’s medicines
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
- If your home has a dishwasher, empty it and put all important papers such as your house insurance policy and pictures, in other words anything of importance that you can fit in there. Dishwashers are waterproof and are attached to the counter, so it is less likely for it to be blown away.
- Have a small portable radio with fresh batteries for weather alerts
- Do not go outside for any reason. Flying debris can harm you.
- Do not operate a generator inside the house, the carbon monoxide is hazardous to your health
- Do not operate a bbq grill inside the house, that is also hazardous to your health
- A pair of water boots and rain jacket/poncho would be recommended
- Hand or Battery operated tools are recommended to have on hand in case you have to do some minor repairs after the storm has passed
- Tarps, in case shingles get blown away
- If you have a garage, have some plywood and nails/screws stored away in case windows blow out
- If possible, board up your windows and sliding glass door, if not, put masking tape on them from the inside
- Fill up all your vehicles with gas
- If you have a landline phone, please hook up a wired telephone to a jack. Cordless phones and answering machines will be rendered useless if power goes out
- Turn the refrigerator to the coldest setting prior to the storm and open it as little as possible.
- Have a cooler full of ice
- Having a chainsaw on hand is recommended, but make sure that your gas for it is in a secure area, but not inside your home. Make sure you buy the oil mixture and bar chain oil
- If there are drain drains near your house, keep those clean of debris to avoid flooding
- Cut away any tree limbs near your home to avoid roof damage
- In case of a tornado, go to a room in your house that has no windows such as a closet, bathroom, or hallway. If you are in a two story house, the underneath of the stairway can be considered an alternate area. If you are caught outside during a tornado and can’t get to safety, it is recommended to get in a ditch if one is available
- Take your pets with you. Have a plan in place for a hotel that allows pets. Pets are defenseless, and they rely on you to keep them safe
- Do not tie your pet up and leave him there. Do not pin your pet up in a kennel. If the water rises, they will drown
- Make sure you have all important contact phone numbers that you may need on hand. Let your family know where you will be and how to contact you
- Make sure to fully charge your phone and use it only as necessary. If power goes out, you will not be able to recharge it and you may be unreachable
- If you are under mandatory evacuation and refuse to leave, the police may ask for your next of kin information, be ready to give it to them
Obviously, there are many more precautions that can be taken. Have a safety plan in place for your family, don’t wait until the last minute. Be safe!!!
