Preparing for the Hurricane

With Hurricane Florence having an imminent impact on the area in which I live I have decided today is a good day to discuss how to prepare for a hurricane. People around here have been gearing up for this storm for the past couple of days and are rushing to get everything in place before landfall.

I have lived in Eastern North Carolina for my entire life and have weathered many hurricanes. We maintain a hurricane box at our house and update it each year to make sure everything is still good and holds all that we would need.

Gather Information

Hurricanes are strong storms that can be life-threatening as well as cause serious hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds, and tornadoes. The first thing that you need is to gather information. I recommend downloading your states app that gives information regarding road closures, weather conditions, river levels, evacuations, and power outages. For my area it is readync.org. As long as I have cell service I will have access to all the information regarding the storm and what I may need to do to keep my family safe.

readync.org

It is also a good idea to research to find out if you live in an evacuation area or a flood zone that has flooded in the past. You can research this information by visiting FEMA's Map Portal or FloodSmart.gov. This will help you understand the risks to your home from storm surge, flooding, and wind.

Gather a list of contacts. The ReadyNC app offers a list of power companies and shelters in the area. It would also be a good idea to make a list of phone numbers for easy reference:

• Emergency Management Offices
• County Law Enforcement
• County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
• State, County, and City/Town Government
• Local Hospitals
• Local Utilities
• Local American Red Cross
• Local TV Stations
• Local Radio Stations
• Your Property Insurance Agent

I keep a printed out copy of this list, which is updated every year as needed, in our hurricane box.

Hurricane Box (Disaster Supply Kit)

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. The government recommends having at least three days of food and water on hand, plus medications, first aid supplies, a flashlight and batteries, and cash on hand for during a power outage when ATM's don't work.

Hopefully, you already have an emergency kit put together because the best time to prepare is well before an emergency happens. It is important to have a central location for your emergency kit to be stored. Be sure every family member knows its location and what to do in an emergency. Your supplies should last you at from three to seven days for each person and pet. You may be on your own for hours or even days after a disaster before firefighters and police are able to get to you. Basic services may not work for days or weeks after a disaster.

What's in my kit:

• Water-1 gallon per person and pet for 3 days
• Food-non-perishable and canned food supply for 3 days
• Pet Food-enough for 3 days
• Battery-powered radio, to listen to local broadcasts, and NOAA Weather Radio.
• Extra batteries-AAA, AA, and D batteries
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Thieves sanitizing spray and hand gel
• Wrench to turn off water if needed
• Blanket-1 per person
• 1 Change of Clothes/Shoes per person
• Extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, feminine supplies
• Extra house keys and car keys
• Important documents (insurance information, a copy of driver's license, passport, Social Security Card, bank records, birth certificates, etc.)
• Cash
• Books, games, and cards

Some families have unique needs and will need to adjust their list of items accordingly. Some things you may need that aren't listed:

Families with babies/small children:

• Formula
• Diapers/Pull-ups
• Wipes
• Bottles
• Pacifier

Adults:

• Contacts/Eyeglasses
• Contact Solution
• Prescriptions, most insurance companies allow up 2 emergency refills a year.
• Dentures
• Hearing aid
• Extra Batteries for hearing aid

Pets:

• Food for 3-7 days
• Food Dishes
• Collar and leash
• Immunization Records
• ID Tag
• Medication your pet takes
• Pictures in case they are lost

What about my pets?

If you have to evacuate your home during a disaster, the best way to protect your pets is to evacuate them too. If it's not safe for you to stay behind then it's not safe to leave pets behind either.

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no pet policies could be waived in an emergency. Your local AAA office offers a publication for traveling with your pet that is great to have on a normal trip, but would be priceless during an emergency situation.
• Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.
• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

Prepare your Home

Regardless of if you are going to evacuate from your home or you are going to stay home, you need to prepare your home for the storm. Secure or store items that could become dangerous debris in high winds. Pieces of wood, lawn items, trash cans that aren't secured can be hurled around by the wind causing damage to your home. You can also secure your windows by placing plywood (5/8" is recommended) over them. This will help keep any flying debris from breaking the glass and damaging your home. Lastly, know how to turn off your utilities. Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires following disasters. Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. Electrical sparks have the potential of igniting natural gas if it is leaking. It is also important to turn your main power off if you are using a generator during a power outage. This will prevent feedback on the line and could save a lineman's life who is trying to restore power to your area.

Before the Storm

• Fill plastic bottles with clean water for drinking.
• Fill bathtubs and sinks with water for flushing the toilet or washing the floor or clothing.
• Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.

During the Storm

• Stay indoors.
• Don’t walk on beaches, riverbanks or in flood waters.
• Use flashlights in the dark if the power goes out.
• Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage.
• Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.
• If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
• Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water.
• Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.

After the Storm

The storm is over and the sky is beautiful again, but now you have to deal with the aftermath. A few things to keep in mind:

• Let friends and family know you’re safe - Register yourself as safe on the Safe and Well website
• If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Continue listening to local news or an NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding.\
• Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines. Report them immediately to the power company.
• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.

Above all...Be Safe!