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.
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 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.
- Take these items with you when evacuating:
- Prescription medications and medical supplies;
- Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
- Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid
kit, flashlight
- Car keys and maps
- Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof
of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage
certificates, tax records, etc.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the
Following Items:
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned food and can opener.
- At least three gallons of water per person.
- Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if
authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to
turn them back on.)
Prepare for High Winds
- Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" 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 Hurricane 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, so taping windows is not recommended.
- Fill your car's gas tank.
- Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
- Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies,
drinking water, and medications.
Know What to Do When a
Hurricane WARNING Is Issued
- Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave 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 higher
ground.
Know What to Do After
a Hurricane Is Over
Your Local Red Cross
Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
Materials for Children:
- "Jason and Robin's Awesome Hurricane Adventure" workbook (ARC 5044)
and video (ARC 5044V) designed for children in grades 4-6.
-
"Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book"
(PDF File) (ARC 2200, English, or
ARC 2200S, Spanish (PDF
File)) by children ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and Presenter's
Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6.
- "After the Storm" Coloring Book (ARC 2206, English, or ARC 2206S,
Spanish)
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