Are You Ready for a Hurricane?
Know What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
- WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.
- WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan- Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
- Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Includingthe Following Items:- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned food and can opener.
- At least three gallons of water per person.
- Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authoritiesadvise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turnthem back on.)
Prepare for High Winds- Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
- Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.
Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
- Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
- Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.
- Fill your car's gas tank.
- Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
- Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.
Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued- Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
- Complete preparation activities.
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
- Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.
- Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
- Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over- Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
- If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you itis safe to do so.
- Inspect your home for damage.
- Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
For More Information About Hurricanes and Hurricane Safety, YourAmerican Red Cross Can Provide the Following Materials:- "Are You Ready for a Hurricane?" (ARC 4454)
- "Hurricanes . . . the Greatest Storms on Earth" (ARC5030)
- "Against the Wind: Protecting Your Home from Hurricane Wind Damage"(ARC 5023
- "Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane" (ARC 5040) 44-page booklet on home hurricane preparedness
Information on Hazards Related to Hurricanes- "Are You Ready for a Thunderstorm?" (ARC 5009)
- "Are You Ready for a Flood or Flash Flood?" (ARC 4458)
- "Are You Ready for a Tornado?" (ARC 4457)
Special Hurricane Preparedness Information for Children- "Jason and Robin's Awesome Hurricane Adventure" workbook(ARC 5044) and video (ARC 5044V) designed for children in grades4-6.
General Disaster Preparedness Information- "Your Family Disaster Plan" (ARC 4466)
- "Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit" (ARC 4463)
General Disaster Preparedness Materials for Children- "Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book" (ARC 2200) by children ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with children in grades4-6.
After a hurricane or tropical storm, some children may experience difficulty expressing their feelings about the storm. The following coloring book is availablefrom your Red Cross for a parent, teacher, or other adult to use with children to help them deal with their feelings:- "After the Storm" Coloring Book (ARC 2206)
To get copies of American Red Cross Community Disaster Education materials, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
And remember . . . when a hurricane, flood, earthquake, tornado, fire, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family. Your Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on contributions of your time, money, and blood. For more information, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter or emergency management office.