After the Storm “Hurricane Clean-Up”

 

After the Storm

 

Stay tuned to local media for information. Return home only after authorities

advise that it is safe to do so.

 

• Enter your home with caution.

• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately

to the power company, police or fire department.

• Beware of snakes, insects and other animals driven to higher

ground, such as inside your home, by flood water.

• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.

• Check the refrigerator for spoiled foods.

• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents,

for insurance claims.

• Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and

washed-out bridges.

• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

• Check for gas leaks.

If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building.

Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s

home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

• Look for electrical system damage.

If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at

the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit

breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

• Check for sewage and water line damage.

If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water

 

Managing Storm Debris

Do your part to help speed up the recovery process. Proper clean-up procedures can go a long way

toward regaining your normal way of life. Separating debris maximizes recycling opportunities and

reduces the amount of waste that goes into the landfill.

Regular household garbage should be put in its normal place/container and will be picked up by the

regular provider. It should not be sorted into the storm debris piles.

 

Don’t C.H.E.A.T. the environment. Separate your debris into the following categories:

 

C Construction debris

Building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, mattresses

H Hazardous waste

Oils, batteries, pesticides, paints, cleaning supplies and

compressed gas

E Electronics

Televisions, computers, radios, stereos, DVD players/VCR’s

and telephones

A Appliances

Refrigerators, washers/dryers, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, water

heaters and dishwashers

T Trees and vegetation

Tree branches, leaves and logs

 

CORRECT placement of debris piles:

• Curbside within 15 feet of the road

• Between the street and the sidewalk

(if there’s a sidewalk)

• Pair up with neighbors and consolidate

your waste piles

 

INCORRECT placement of debris piles:

• On the road

• On the sidewalk

• On or leaning against trees, water/gas

meters, telephone poles or power

towers

 How to Prepare for a Hurricane?

Hurricane Emergency Information

Evacuation Information

Hurricane Season

Please visit this site for the complete Hurricane Guide: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/index2.asp?p=/guides.htm