Hurricanes can be unpredictable. As the storm approaches, stay tuned for the latest weather updates on local stations and on NOAA Weather Radio.
Know your evacuation plan.
Prevent panic and confusion by making sure everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency, whether at home or at work.
Help your neighbors with disabilities or in poor health (mentally or physically) who are without any support.
- Refill prescriptions.
Maintain at least a two-week supply of medications during hurricane season. Prepare an up-to-date list of family medicines and dosages, along with doctor and pharmacy phone numbers, and a two-week supply of prescription medicines.
- Get cash. Banks and ATMs will not operate during power outages. Few stores will be able to accept credit cards or personal checks.
- Emergency charger for cell phones and other devices (consider a solar powered alternative)
- Protect your windows and glass doors with plywood or storm shutters. Brace double entry and garage doors at the top and bottom.
- Fill your car’s gas tank and check oil, fluids, and tires. Gas pumps will not operate without electricity.
- Turn refrigerator and freezer dials to the coldest settings and avoid opening the doors to help keep perishable food during a power outage.
- Store lawn furniture, potted plants, bicycles, trash cans, and other potential airborne missiles. Leave the swimming pool filled and super-chlorinated. Cover the filtration system.
Clean and fill bathtubs and sinks before a storm so you will have extra clean water.
In case of flooding, move important items such as electronics, antiques, and furniture off the floor.
Suggested items for a Disaster Supply Kit.
Stock up now (or a little at a time) and store where you can get to them quickly.
- Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant)
Garbage can or bucket with tight-fitting lid and cat litter
- Enough non-perishable food to feed your family and pets for three to seven days. Special dietary foods or baby food and formula, if needed. Replenish every six months.
- Toilet paper, paper towels, and pre-moistened towelettes or baby wipes
- Reserve one gallon of drinking water per person, per day, plus water for cooking and washing (minimum seven days). Stock up on a few cases of bottled waters at your home and/or workplace in the event that there is a “boil water” order.
- Folding chairs, lawn chairs, or cots
- Infant items (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles), if needed.
- Personal care needs (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons.)
- First aid kit including bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, aspirin and aspirin-free pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, and important phone numbers
- Important papers and irreplaceable keepsakes (driver’s license, special medical information, insurance policies, property inventories, photographs, etc.)
- Flashlights and batteries for each family member
- Portable radio and batteries
- Non-electric can opener
- Fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type)
- Whistle and/or distress flag
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Plastic tarp, screening, tools, and nails, etc. for after the storm
- Water purification kit (tablets, chlorine (plain) and iodine)
- Plastic trash bags
- Ice chest/cooler and ice .
- Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
- Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, hearing aids (and batteries) Charcoal, matches, and grill (do not use indoors)
- An old-fashioned corded telephone that does not require electricity (i.e. not a cordless phone or cell phone)
How to make an emergency toilet.
Supplies include two x 5-gallon buckets (one with a tight-fitting lid), a camping toilet seat, a pack of heavy duty trash bags and several bags of kitty litter.
Take the 5-gallon bucket and line it with a trash bag. Cinch kit tightly to the top pushing all the air out so it hugs the side of the bucket. Place the camping toilet seat on top and place it in a private, well-ventilated place. In the separate bucket, empty all your kitty litter and place nearby your portable toilet. When you’ve done your business, cover up with scoops of kitty litter. Best to keep toilet rolls and hand sanitizer nearby.
