Hurricane Preparedness

Make sure you & your family are ready BEFORE a hurricane hits.

Plan for Hurricane Season.

I know it’s past the beginning of hurricane season, but since the northeast coast just missed a direct hit, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of the steps you should take to be prepared:

Keep safe and reduce possible loss to your personal property.

Three questions to ask about personal safety:

1) Am I prepared?

• Identified ahead of time where to go if told to evacuate. Picked several places – a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter. Made arrangements to take pets.

• Have the telephone numbers of these places handy as well as a road map of their locality in case there is a need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.

• Planned how to assist elderly and/or disabled family members.

• Reviewed American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and FEMA (www.fema.gov) guidelines for disaster safety.

2) Is my family prepared?

• Planned and practiced the family emergency plan.

• Prepared to take these items when evacuating:

• Prescription mediations and medical supplies, special snacks, pet food and pet supplies.

• Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows, bottled water, first aid kit, and flashlights.

• Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, etc.

3) How will I stay informed?

• Always have a battery-powered radio and extra batteries available. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions.

• 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.

Three questions to ask about protecting personal property:

1) Have I prepared my home?

• Completed and/or updated a written/video/digital inventory of personal property.

• Taught family members how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches.

2) Will I be able to return to normalcy after an emergency?

• Checked that there is adequate insurance coverage for all personal property.

3) Do I have a proper perspective on personal property?

• Life safety and health are the most important considerations. Never put family or self at risk for personal property.

Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Ready.gov

FEMA

American Red Cross

FloodSmart.gov

Flood Insurance

Nothing can stop a flood and your homeowners insurance won’t protect you.

Homeowners insurance policies cover many things – fire, other natural disasters, theft – but not flooding. Without flood insurance, your home is unprotected.