What To Do

What To Do

Become aware of the actions you should take as a storm approaches, during a storm and after a storm. Outlined below are some useful tips.

What To Do Now

Decide where you plan to go if you are requested to evacuate. You may go to a hotel or motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to a Red Cross shelter.
Put together your disaster supplies kit. Do it now. If you wait until a storm approaches, stores may be out of needed items.
Create your Emergency Contact List.
Plan for pets. Pets are not allowed in public shelters. To make arrangements for your pet, contact your vet, local SPCA or Humane Society.

Monitor TV and radio for the latest storm developments. Hurricanes are unpredictable.
Have your car ready. Fill it up and check oil, water and maintenance.
Check your emergency evacuation supplies.
Make sure you have some cash on hand. Power could be out for days and ATM machines won't work.
Board up or put storm shutters on windows.
Turn the refrigerator and freezer controls to the coldest settings.
Fill empty freezer spaces with reusable ice containers, or fill empty milk containers about four-fifths full of water, cap the containers loosely and place in empty space.
If food in freezer does defrost, use it within one or two days. Never refreeze food that has thawed completely.
Clear your yard of loose objects, bicycles, lawn furniture, trash cans, etc.
Secure your boat.
Leave swimming pools filled. Super-chlorinate the water and cover pump and filtration systems and intakes

Obtain and mark clean containers for storing water for drinking and cooking. You should have a minimum of one gallon per person per day for seven days. Store water in the bathtub for flushing toilets.
Have a week's supply of non-perishable foods. Have a manual can opener.
Stay inside, away from windows.
Wait for official word that the danger is over before going outside. Don't be fooled by the storm's calm eye.
If the power goes out, keep spoiling and thawing of food to a minimum, by opening the refrigerator or freezer as seldom as possible. Food will stay frozen for up to 48 hours if a freezer is full and tightly packed and the door is kept closed. Food in a partly filled freezer may keep for 24 hours.
How do you tell if food has gone bad? The rule of thumb is, "If in doubt, throw it out!"

Leaving early will shorten your travel time. Leaving later may not allow you enough time to reach safe shelter.
Pack necessities: Plenty of water and non-perishable food, Disaster Supplies Kit, Emergency Contact List, proof of residency, cash, extra clothing and sleeping bags or bedding.
Bring games, puzzles and books to keep children entertained.
Turn off water and electricity at the main valve, breakers or fuses.
Turn off propane gas tanks that serve individual appliances like a stove or grill. Do not turn off natural gas unless local officials advise to do so.
If bringing pets, pack pet food, carriers for each and strong leashes.

If you evacuated, have valid identification. You will not be allowed back into your area unless you can show proof of residency.
When re-entering your home, proceed with caution.
Be cautious with fires. Do not strike matches until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
If at home, stay there and avoid sightseeing, which can impede emergency and recovery response from officials.
If a power outage occurs, turn off or disconnect all motor-driven appliances and fixtures to avoid damage from sudden surges when power is restored. It's safer to use flashlights than candles.
Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground.
Avoid downed or dangling utility wires.