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Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. People who live in hurricane prone communities should know their vulnerability, and what actions should be taken to reduce the effects of these devastating storms. The information on this page can be used to save lives at work, home, or while on the road.
Steps you can take to protect your family, property or business
Step 1: Build A Kit / "To-Go Bag"
Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, element sheltering material such as a jacket, rain poncho, mylar blanket, tarp or trash bags. You will need to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate. Refer to article "Get Out of Dodge Bags on a Budget".
Step 2: Make a Plan
Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. Refer to article "Family Disaster Planning" and "Survival Geocaching".
Plan to Protect Property
Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas to include flash flooding. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the NFIP Web site, www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. Refer to article "Car Flood Emergency" "Keeping Food Safe to Eat in an Emergency" and "Flood Survival".
In addition to insurance, you can also:
-Cover all of your home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds, only taping your windows does not prevent them from breaking or becoming flying debris.
-Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
-Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
-Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
-Turn off propane tanks.
-Install a generator for emergencies. Please be aware of the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning.(IE...don't place the generators in an enclosed space such as your garage, or where the exhaust can enter inhabited areas via open windows or air conditioning units) Refer to article "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After A Disaster"
-Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
-Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets and for drinking as well. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water. Refer to article "Long Term Water Storage" "The SODIS Water Disinfection Method" "Water Filtration" "Water Distilation Methods" and "Locating Water Sources in Your Home"
-Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov or refer to article "KEEPING FOOD SAFE TO EAT IN AN EMERGENCY".
Step 3: Be Informed
Hurricane hazards come in many forms: lightning, tornadoes, flooding, storm surge, high winds, even landslides or mudslides can be triggered in mountainous regions.
Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.
A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.
A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Scale Number (Category) Sustained Winds (MPH) Damage
CAT1
(74-95MPH) Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
Minor damage to exterior of homes
Toppled tree branches, uprooting of smaller trees
Extensive damage to power lines, power outages
CAT2
(96-110MPH) Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
Major damage to exterior of homes
Uprooting of small trees and many roads blocked
Guaranteed power outages for long periods of time – days to weeks
CAT3
(111-130MPH) Devastating damage will occur
Extensive damage to exterior of homes
Many trees uprooted and many roads blocked
Extremely limited availability of water and electricity
CAT4
(131-155MPH) Catastrophic damage will occur
Loss of roof structure and/or some exterior walls
Most trees uprooted and most power lines down
Isolated residential due to debris pile up
Power outages lasting for weeks to months
CAT5
(More than 155MPH) Catastrophic damage will occur
A high percentage of homes will be destroyed
Fallen trees and power lines isolate residential areas
Power outages lasting for weeks to months
Most areas will be uninhabitable
During a Hurricane
If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:
-Listen to the radio or TV for information.
-Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
-Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
-Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
-Moor your boat if you have one and time permits.
-Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
You should evacuate under the following conditions:
**DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO EVACUATE**
-If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
-If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
-If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
-If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
-If you feel you are in danger.If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room.
If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:
-Shelter in the cellar or somewhere away from windows or the roof. A hurricane can rip off the roof. If you live in an apartment complex with a lower roofline then the surrounding buildings or is only several stories tall: move into the hallways as long as they are not open to the outside and go no higher then one story off of the ground and no closer then one whole floor from the roof and lay against the wall in case of falling debris if you choose to stay.
-Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
-Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors. Refer to article "How to Fortify Your Home"
-Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again striking in the opposite direction.
-Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level but be wary of potential flooding and that you may have to move to a higher area if neccessary but stay away from attic space or the roof until the storm has subsided. If the storm seems to die down suddenly, you are in the eye of the storm, do not leave safety for the storm is not over with yet.
-Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object or against the wall.
If you are outside and caught in the hurricane;
-Find a cave, ditch or rocky outcrop to shelter in or under, be wary of tunnels under highways for storm drainage for other then dire emergency temporary shelters as they can flood and you could become trapped due to debris, water currents or metal bars.
-Be prepred to adjust your position when the eye of the storm has passed over and the direction of the storm's winds change.
-Do not attempt to drive anywhere in a car in a hurricane.
-Take care near bridges as they may be washed away.
-Stay clear of trees, billboards, highway and buisness signs as they can become falling hazards or projectiles.