Hurricane Preparation

• TROPICAL STORM or HURRICANE WATCH
Conditions pose a threat to coastal areas within 36 hours

• TROPICAL STORM WARNING
Conditions (sustained winds 39 to 73 mph) will affect
coastal area with 24 hours or less

• HURRICANE WARNING
Sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are expected in a
coastal area within 24 hours or less

• STORM SURGE
Abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or
other intense storm

HURRICANE CATEGORIES
CATEGORY 1: Winds 74-95 mph – Storm surge 4-5 feet
CATEGORY 2: Winds 96-110 mph – Storm surge 6-8 feet
CATEGORY 3: Winds 111-130 mph – Storm surge 9-12 feet
CATEGORY 4: Winds 131-155 mph – Storm surge 13-18
CATEGORY 5: Winds more than 155 mph – Storm surge over 18 feet

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 hotel, 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.
• Have emergency supplies (listed below) ready to go.

EMERGENCY SUPPLY LIST

• Cash or travelers checks
• Bottled water - (1 gal. Per person/per day)
• Non-perishable food
• Cooler
• Manual can opener
• Prescription medication
• Important papers (including I.D. drivers license, S.S. card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates)
• Car filled with gas (and spare cans fuel)
• Safety matches/flashlight & batteries
• Disposable eating & drinking utensils
• Protective clothing, rainwear
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled members of family
• Cellular phone charged - (if possible spare charged batteries)

PREPARE FOR HIGH WINDS

• Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut ½” 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 HURICANE 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.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave immediately 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 high 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 only 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.