• Clean the Yard: Remove, secure, or enclose all debris or supplies that might blow and cause damage to your property or the property of others.

• Make Plans: Make plans for what you will do. Make a schedule. Make sure all staffers are aware of your plans. This means make sure truckers who may be days away from your location are also kept aware of events.

• Check Auxiliary Power: Check any auxiliary power source to make sure it is functioning well, has plenty of fuel, and is ready.

• Lower Stacks: If you have containers or goods stacked, shorten the stacks to not more than two containers in height to better survive light hurricane force winds.

• Backup/Protect Important Information: Make a computer backup of all critical business information. Make copies of important legal documents. Takes these important materials to a safe and secure location away from storm danger. In case of disaster, this will allow you to keep your business running.

• Move Equipment Inland: Move any trucks or trailers or moveable goods inland to storage yards, parking lots, or secured warehouse facilities.

• Secure Buildings: Cover windows with plywood. If you are in a low-lying area, move computers and wiring up from the floor, perhaps even to a higher floor. Make a back-up of all important computer information

Public: WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE STORM - INSURANCE:

• Secure the house.

• Turn off electricity, water and gas.

• Confirm overnight hotel reservations.

• Have alternatives. Know of places between your home and your destination you might be able to stay in case roads are overcrowded or impassable.

Public: WHAT TO DO IF YOU GO TO A SHELTER

• Secure the house.

• Turn off electricity, water and gas.

• Go there as soon as the shelter has opened because space may be limited.

• Check with your shelter, but understand that most shelters DO NOT allow pets.

• Bring supplies with you to the shelter:

  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Radio with extra batteries
  • Medicines
  • Snacks for the first 24 hours
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Identification
  • Photocopies of valuable papers
  • Playing cards, games, books, etc.
  • Special diet foods if needed
  • Pillows
  • Toiletries
  • Baby food and Diapers if needed

Public: WHAT TO DO IF YOU STAY IN YOUR HOME

1. Collect supplies well in advance of hurricane season.
2. Have enough supplies so that you can live for two weeks without power, water or food from outside sources.

• Fire extinguisher
• Gallon-sized freezer bags for making ice
• Clean containers for drinking water. You will need 4 liters (quarts) of water per day per person; 2 liters for drinking and 2 liters for sanitation.
• Tools: hammer, nails, ax, crowbar, screwdrivers, pliers, duct tape, masking tape, drill, extra fasteners, knife, handsaw
• Household bleach (for purifying water)
• Soap in plastic container
• Needle and thread
• Disinfectant
• Hand-operated can opener
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Radio or Television (battery operated with extra batteries)
• Grill, charcoal or gas, with a 2-week supply of fuel
• Disposable diapers if needed
• Extra fuel for autos
• Wooden kitchen matches - waterproof them by dipping the heads in candle wax
• Plastic eating utensils
• Paper plates
• Paper towels
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper (put in sealed plastic bag to keep it dry)
• Lantern with extra fuel
• Mosquito repellant
• Water purification tablets or iodine
• Garbage Bags
• Rope or heavy cord (100 feet)
• Tarpaulin, canvas or 6-mil plastic sheeting for roof repairs or to serve as a tent
• Large plastic trash cans with sealable lids for storage

• Apples, lemons, bananas, oranges will keep for several days at room temperature
• Individual servings of pre-packaged pudding, applesauce, diced fruit, raisins, dried fruits and nuts
• Cheese spreads and cheese slices that do not need refrigeration
• Ready-made baby formula (not powdered or concentrate)
• Cookies
• Crackers and Chips
• Dry cereal in small boxes
• Bread, muffins and bagels
• Summer sausage, pepperoni and other meats that do not need refrigeration
• Canned vegetables
• Ice

• Keep items in a waterproof container
• First Aid manual
• Sterile adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze pads
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages
• Rolls of sterile roller bandages
• Scissors and tweezers
• Needle for sewing
• Safety razor blades for stripping wire, cutting boxes, etc.
• Packets of moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic spray
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Aspirin
• Ointments for burns and cuts
• Antacid tablets
• Snake bite kit
• Prescription medicines for one month

• Have cash or traveler's checks
• Check the first-aid kit - replenish items
• Check your tools - Place them in a high, dry place
• Fill plastic containers with water
• Sterilize the bathtub to hold water (scrub with household soap - swab with bleach - rinse thoroughly - let dry - seal the drain with silicone caulk that you can easily remove later - fill with water)
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings - do not open except when absolutely necessary
• Identify where to shut off gas, water and electricity
• Put valuables and documents in water-proof containers
• Stock a safe place with first-aid kit, small supply of food and water, flashlight and batteries, blankets and games for the kids to play.
• Move furniture away from the windows - cover with plastic
• Review escape routes from the house - the location of fire extinguisher, etc.

• Bring all pets inside your home
• Give pets plenty of food and water
• Make sure each pet is wearing a collar with identification
• Make the pet comfortable with a familiar towel or blanket
• Stock up on newspapers, kitty litter, etc.
• Choose a garage, utility room or room with a tile floor for easy clean-up behind your pet

• Fill the gas tank, check oil, water levels
• If you must leave the car outdoors, park next to a building, away from trees or utility poles which may topple onto it
• Stay out of your car during a hurricane
• Make sure your car has emergency first-aid and tool kits

• If possible, put the boat in your garage or storage
• If the boat is outside, remove outboard motors
• Strip all electrical gear and removable equipment
• Disconnect batteries
• Lash down the boat
• Fill the boat one-third to halfway with water to hold it down in high winds (more water might break trailer)
• Support the trailer axle with blocks inside each wheel
• Remove all items that might blow off boat
• Place boat away from trees, power lines, etc.

GENERAL - Protecting Your House
     As storm approaches:

• Close shutters, tape windows and sliding doors
• Bring in anything that could blow around (grill, bicycles, patio furniture, etc.)
• Lower TV antenna (disconnect TV first - be careful to avoid power lines)
• Turn off power to all outside items like pumps, lights, etc.
• Do NOT empty your pool of water
• Trim dead branches from trees and shrubs

Public: DURING THE STORM

• Settle in large center room with few windows

• Use flashlight, not candles

• Cook with canned heat, not charcoal or pressurized gas that give off dangerous fumes

• Listen to radio for official information

• Insulate refrigerator

• Turn off electricity if flooding begins

• Stay inside until officials give "All Clear" announcement

Public: AFTER THE STORM

• Follow official instructions

• If power is out, try to schedule and limit opening refrigerator and freezer doors to only once or twice a day - frozen items will stay frozen for up to a week if you are careful

• You can purify water for drinking by using one teaspoon of bleach for every gallon of water

• When in doubt about going out, stay put. Avoid the temptation to walk or ride around and survey the damage. Emergency crews need roads as clear as possible.

LINKS TO STORM INFORMATION

• National Weather Service Hurricane Information Center

• Weather Channel

• AccuWeather

• Weather Underground