HURRICANE INFORMATION SHEET
Be Prepared – Protect Loved Ones
Develop
a Family Emergency Plan
Make a
Disaster Supply Kit
Before a Hurricane
During a Hurricane
After a Hurricane
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that includes all the above topics
As the United States has witnessed first hand over the last
few years, hurricanes can exert a devastating and often deadly impact on coastal
regions. However, there are steps that can be taken before, during, and after a
hurricane to help reduce the risk of injury to you and your family. Discuss
with your family what you would do if family members are not at home when a
warning is issued. The guidelines listed below can serve as guidelines to help
your family develop emergency plans.
Steps
to take now, before a hurricane has been
identified
Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning
signals, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters.
Check out
www.hcoem.org.
- Pre-register loved ones with medical disabilities or
transportation needs for help in case of an emergency evacuation. Check out
www.hcphes.org.
- Identify potential home dangers such as dead trees
near the house or loose shutters and fix them before the hurricane strikes.
- Buy a fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows
where to find it and how to use it.
- Locate and store your important papers, such as
insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc. in a safe place. Put them
in a plastic bag that zips closed to keep them from getting wet.
- Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
- Know how to turn off gas, electricity, and water to
your house.
Develop
a Family Emergency Plan
Template for Making Emergency
Plan
In case family members are separated from one another
during a hurricane (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work
and children are at school), have 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, and phone number of the
contact person.
Identify temporary accommodation, such as a friend’s place
or hotel, where you can stay for a few days in case you are evacuated. Don’t
forget to plan for pets – they are not always welcome in emergency shelters or
hotels.
Before A Hurricane
A hurricane WARNING is issued when hurricane winds
of 74 miles per hour or higher or dangerously high and rough seas are expected
within 24 hours in your area.
-
Continue to monitor local radio and TV station instructions.
-
Move out of low-lying areas or from the coast early at the request
of officials.
-
Check-tie downs if living in a mobile home. Leave
immediately.
-
Have your emergency disaster supply kit handy
-
Fill bathtubs and all available containers with extra water.
-
Turn off utilities, if requested.
-
Stay away from windows, doors and openings.
Prepare to Evacuate
- Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
- Listen to the radio or television for weather updates.
- Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
- Prepare an emergency disaster kit for your car with
food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire
extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
- Secure any items outside which may damage property in
a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.
- Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or
place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce
the risk of breakage and flying glass.
- Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to
food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters may not accept animals.
- Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
- Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to
the coolest possible temperature.
If You ARE
Ordered to Evacuate
Because of the power of a hurricane, you should never
ignore an evacuation order. Emergency authorities may direct you to leave if
you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the
storm. If a hurricane warning is issued for your area or you are directed by
local authorities to evacuate the area:
- Listen to the radio for emergency updates.
- Take only important items with you.
- Secure your home before leaving. Board up windows and
glass doors, anchor loose yard objects or bring them inside, and lock your
doors.
- Get cash before a hurricane. Banks and ATMs may be
temporarily closed after the storm.
- If possible, take your pets.
- If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity and
water.
- Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of
electrical shock when power is restored.
- Make sure your vehicle’s emergency disaster supply kit
is ready.
- Follow the designated evacuation routes – others may
be blocked – and expect heavy traffic.
- Notify your family or any other contact not close to
hurricane that you are evacuating. Remember to leave a number where you can
be reached.
- Follow the designated evacuation routes – others may
be blocked – and expect heavy traffic.
- Listen to the radio for emergency updates.
- Notify your family or any other contact not close to
the hurricane that you are evacuating. Remember to leave a number where you
can be reached.
If You Are
NOT Ordered to Evacuate
The great majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts
caused by flying glass or trash. Other injuries include bone fractures and
wounds from exposed nails, metal, or glass. The following are recommendations
to get through the storm in the safest possible manner:
- Monitor the radio or television for weather
conditions, if possible.
- Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm
is over.
- Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have
calmed – the calm “eye” of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside
when strong winds resume.
- Stay away from all windows and exterior doors. Seek
shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you
cover yourself with plywood or other materials.
- Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor’s
home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency
personnel.
- If you should lose electrical power, eat food that
will go bad first.
Source of
Information:
Severe Weather Site Map
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Disclaimer
Last updated: November 11, 2008
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
2223 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: (713) 439-6000
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