How to Prepare for a Hurricane

Tips for Before, During, and After a Hurricane

The following list is excerpted from ready.gov. We have a list of additional resources at the bottom of this post. You can read the full article by clicking here.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

1. Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
   • Evacuate if told to do so.
   • Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
2. Listen for emergency information and alerts.
3. Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
4. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.

Prepare NOW

1. Know your area’s risk of hurricanes.
2. Sign up for your community’s warning system.
3. If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain.
4. Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding.
5. Make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place.
6. Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations.
7. Gather needed supplies for at least three days, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
8. Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.
9. Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Review insurance policies.

When a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving

1. Turn on your TV or radio in order to get weather updates and emergency instructions.
2. Restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
3. Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. Sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls.
4. Review your evacuation zone, evacuation route, and shelter locations. Plan with your family.
5. Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
6. If you have NFIP flood insurance, keep copies of all receipts and a record of the time spent performing the work.

When a hurricane is 18-36 hours from arriving

1. Bookmark your city or county website for emergency instructions.
2. Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds. Trim or remove trees close to the building.
3. Cover all of your home’s windows.

When a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving

1. Turn on your TV/radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
2. Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery.

When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving

1. If you’re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are. Let friends and family know where you are.
2. Close storm shutters and stay away from windows.
3. Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary.
4. Turn on your TV/radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

Survive DURING

1. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
2. If sheltering during high winds, go to an official storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
3. If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising floodwater.
4. Listen for current emergency information and instructions.
5. Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors ONLY and away from windows.
6. Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Turn-Around. Don’t Drown!
7. Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.

Be Safe AFTER

1. Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
2. Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
3. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
4. Avoid wading in floodwater, which can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
5. Save phone calls for emergencies. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
6. Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.

Additional Resources:

The Weather Channel Hurricane Tracker

Live 5 News Interactive Radar

Live 5 News First Alert Hurricane Center

News 2 Interactive Hurricane Central

ABC News 4 Hurricane Center

Your Family’s Health Matters to Us

At Castle Keepers House Cleaning, the #1 way we prevent the spread of infection in your home is by using PerfectCLEAN® microfiber cloths. These cloths remove 99% of organic matter from surfaces. They also contain anti-microbial threads, which kill any germs caught in the fibers. 

As an extra precaution, we color code our cloths to prevent cross-contamination between rooms. 

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