Seasonal Tips
Hurricane Preparedness
At the beginning of hurricane season:
- Prepare emergency supplies and store bottled drinking water.
- Store flashlights and extra batteries.
- Clean storm gutters and drains.
- Prepare your home for high winds and rain.
- Repair/replace storm shutters.
- Check your property insurance policy for appropriate coverage.
Before the storm:
- Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
- Check/replace emergency supplies and store bottled drinking water.
- Review evacuation plans.
- Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
During the storm:
- Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
- Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy.
- If an evacuation is ordered, leave as soon as possible.
- Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
- Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
After the storm:
- After the storm, stay tuned to local radio for information.
- Return home only after authorities say that it is safe to do so.
- Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
- Enter your home with caution.
- Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
- Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
- Take pictures of any damage to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
- Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
- Use telephone only for emergency calls.