Hurricane Preparedness

Before the storm

• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm. A list will help you remember anything that can be broken or picked up by strong winds. Hurricane winds, often in excess of 100 miles per hour can turn unanchored items into deadly missiles, causing damage or injury when they hit
  
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs, winds frequently break weak limbs and hurl them at great speed
  
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. Hurricanes often bring long periods of heavy rain. Providing clear draining and help prevent misdirected flooding
  
• Close all interior doors. Closed doors will help prevent damaging hurricane winds from entering additional rooms
  
• Avoid mobile homes. Hurricane winds can toss a mobile home around. if a hurricane warning is issued do not wait to see if an evacuation order is issued 
  
• If you are in a car. Cars are no match for these powerful winds. Get out of your car and seek shelter. If you can't find a place to go, find a low lying, lie flat and cover your head. You are safer out of your car than in it.
  
• Build a disaster supply kit. You and your family need to build a 72 hour emergency supply kit. In this kit you will need: water-1 gallon per person per day, food- non-perishable canned goods with a can opener, radio with extra batteries, first aid kit including a three day supply of prescription drugs, flashlight with extra batteries, elderly may have special needs, entertainment items like a deck of cards, cash ATM;s will not operate if the power is out.
  
• Pet preparedness:  plan to take care of your pets. Make sure that your pets have extra food, water, leashes, identification, toys and a pet carrier

Evacuation Procedures

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes
• Take your disaster kit with you
• Lock your home
• Use travel routes specified by disaster officials
• Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so
• Let others know when you left and where you are going
• Some shelters do not allow pets, an alternative safe pet location will be provided.

For more information on hurricane preparedness please check out :

www.readync.org
www.ncready.org