How to Prepare for A Hurricane?

June 3, 2008 by Steve deGuzman · Leave a Comment

Before the Storm

Check into flood insurance.

You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your home insurance agent.

There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy becomes effective for

an existing residence. Homeowner polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies

a hurricane.

Develop an emergency communication plan.

In case family members are separated from one another during a

disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work

and children are at school), create a plan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.”

After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make

sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, phone

number and e-mail address of the contact person.

Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.

Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water. Teach children how and

when to call 9-1-1, police, or the fire department, and which radio station to listen to for emergency

information.

Create an Emergency Supplies Kit.

Because deployment of relief supplies and support to affected communities can be delayed or prevented

due to damaged or impassable bridges and roads, assistance from emergency services

may not be available for up to 72 hours, or longer, following a major natural disaster.

Prepare your home.

Once a tornado, hurricane or major storm hits, it’s too late to protect your home and property, but

there are preparations you can make in advance to limit future wind and flood damage. Some are

fairly simple and inexpensive; others will require a contractor. You’ll need to consider the characteristics

of your home, your financial resources and the building codes in your community.

Emergency Kit

Prepare yourself and your family for

a minimum of three days.

Because deployment of relief supplies and support to stormstricken

communities can be delayed or prevented due to

damaged or impassable bridges and roads, assistance from

emergency services may not be available for up to 72

hours, or longer, following a major natural disaster.

Keep informed.

Charleston County Emergency Preparedness works with local,

state and national weather officials and the media to keep residents

informed of the best ways to prepare or respond during

a disaster situation. The purchase of a Weather Alert Radio for

your home and place of employment can help you stay informed

of changing conditions.

Storing your kit.

Choose a location to store your kit where it is cool and dark,

such as a closet or “safety corner” in the garage. If you live in

an apartment or have limited space, be innovative. Other possible

storage locations include under the bed, under stairways

or even a large box or plastic tub that can be covered with a table cloth and used as an end table.

Layer and monitor supplies.

Layer supplies and keep them together in a container such as a plastic garbage can with wheels.

Check the items every six months for expiration dates, changes in your children’s clothing sizes and

weather requirements. A good way to remember to inspect your kit is to do it each time you set

clocks back and change your smoke detector batteries.

Use what you have.

Start with what you already have and prepare as if you are going camping for three days with no facilities.

If you’re a camper you’ve got a head start because camping supplies, tents, camp stoves and

water jugs can double as emergency supplies.

Emergency Kit – Food

Use canned foods for easy storage and long shelf life. However, be aware that they must be changed

out at least annually. Choose ready-to-eat canned meat, fruits and vegetables that your family likes.

If the electricity goes off:

• FIRST, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator.

• THEN, use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer

door, post a list of freezer contents on the front. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will

usually still have ice crystals in their centers, meaning foods are safe to eat, for at least three

days.

• FINALLY, begin to use non-perishable foods and staples.

Your kit should include:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
Staples – sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Foods and supplements for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets

Vitamins

“Comfort foods” – cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags

Don’t forget food for your pets. Store canned or dry pet food along with an extra collar and leash.

Make special arrangements for your pet or seek a hotel/motel that allows pets during emergencies.

As a last resort, pets are only allowed in the designated animal emergency shelter at the

North Charleston Coliseum (only one person per pet is allowed to stay).

Store foods in single or family meal-size packaging. Unrefrigerated leftovers can cause food poisoning.

Add a manual can opener, and cooking and eating utensils.

Emergency Kit -

Tools and Supplies

Household Items

• Paper goods, plates, cups, plastic utensils

• Map of area to find shelters or distribution

points (street sign may be gone)

• Cash or travelers checks and change

• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries

• Flashlights with extra batteries

• Battery-powered clock with extra batteries

• First Aid Kit

• Fire extinguisher, small ABC type

• Duct tape

• Waterproofed matches

• Sewing kit

• Plastic storage containers

• Paper, pencils and pens

• Aluminum foil

• Plastic sheeting or tarps

• Basic tool kit (adjustable wrench, screw drivers,

hammer, etc.)

Clothing and Bedding

• Sturdy shoes or work boots

• Rain gear

• Blankets or sleeping bags

• Hat and work gloves

• Thermal underwear

• Sunglasses

For Baby

• Diapers

• Formula

• Bottles

• Powered milk

• Medications

For Adults

• All prescription medications

• Insulin if needed

• Denture needs

• Contact lenses and supplies

• Extra eye glasses

Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes

• Soap, liquid detergent

• Feminine supplies

• Personal hygiene items

• Plastic garbage bags with ties

• Plastic bucket with tight lid

• Disinfectant

• Unscented household bleach

• Insect repellent

Special Items

• Entertainment – books, toys and games

• Important family documents to keep in a

waterproof container:

− Family records (birth, marriage, and

death certificates)

− Wills

− Insurance policies

− Contracts

− Deeds

− Stocks and bonds

− Passports

− Social Security cards

− Immunization records

− Bank account numbers

− Credit card account numbers/company

− Inventory of valuable household items

First Aid Kit

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

• Triangular bandages (3)

• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)

• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Needles

• Assorted sizes of safety pins

• Moistened towelettes

• Antiseptic

• Thermometer

• Tongue blades (2)

• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

• Soap

• Latex gloves (2 pairs)

• Sunscreen

• Non-prescription drugs

− Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever

− Anti-diarrhea medication

− Antacid (for stomach upset)

− Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if

advised by the Poison Control Center)

− Laxative

− Activated charcoal (use if advised by the

Poison Control Center)

Emergency Kit – Water

Store a three-day supply, or more, of water for your family. One gallon per person per day is recommended

for drinking, cooking and washing. Remember to include water for pets. Date your water

containers and replace them every six months.

Tips for storing and using water:

• Purify water by boiling it for 5 to 10 minutes or by adding drops of unscented household bleach

containing 5.25 percent hypochlorite. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)

recommends 16 drops of bleach per one gallon of water. Purification tablets or a filter system

designed for backpackers also work well.

• Store water in plastic three-liter soda bottles instead of plastic milk-type jugs. Milk jugs will break

down over time, and soda bottles last considerably longer. You can also freeze water, and it will

last until needed. This frozen water also can be used for non-emergency situations such as

camping, fishing, hunting, etc. However, don’t forget to replace the water jugs when you get

home.

• Learn how to remove water from your hot water heater in case you need it. Be sure to turn off the