Hurricane Preparedness Tips (and Household Hacks)

August 24, 2020

Resource: Blog
Tags: Online Training, Staff Training

Here’s a roundup of our top hurricane preparedness tips, as well as a few less-conventional household “hacks” for staying for more comfortable in a serious storm.

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Hurricane Tips

Gather Information

Find out if you live in an evacuation zone and recognize your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind
Understand National Weather Service forecasts and NWS watches and warnings

Supplies Kit

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations
Have an emergency kit in your car

Emergency Plans

Have a Family Emergency and Communication Plan (account for at least three days of food and water at home)
Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer information on animal health impacts in evacuation shelters
Be sure to safely store or bring all important documents – birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.
Know how to shut off utilities
Board up windows and secure loose items like patio furniture

Evacuation

Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines. Follow instructions given by local officials
Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate

During the Storm

Take shelter in a sturdy building; avoid isolated sheds or other small structures, open areas, hilltops, the beach or boats
Listen for warning sirens, stay away from windows and exterior doors, and seek shelter in a bathroom or basement
Avoid contact with electrical equipment, cords, metal and water

Recover

Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home
Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process
Learn about safe cleanup from local authorities, or visit www.cdc.gov

Hurricane Hacks

Tampa Bay Times Executive Editor Mark Katches asked readers for tips and “hacks” that would help Florida newcomers get ready during hurricane season. Here are excerpts from those reader submissions.

Household Appliances

Use the time before the storm to catch up on laundry. Plus, you can use the empty washing machine for your impromptu beverage cooler
Fill a bathtub with water you can use to flush the toilets
Freeze bags of water in case you need ice later

“Go” Bag

Keep all the essentials, including cash and important papers, ready in case you need to leave
An emergency bag should also include bedding and pillows you can use at a shelter

Paper Maps

You may want to invest in — gasp — actual physical maps. Have real paper maps so when you evacuate, you can take back roads. Your smartphone may do you no good

Batteries, Fans, Headlamps

Battery-powered fans will save your sanity after the power (and air conditioning) goes out
A headlamp can also come in handy when it’s pitch black at night

Pets

Purchase a few pieces of sod to give dogs a safe place to go to the bathroom

Insurance

For insurance purposes, take photos of your home before damage hits
Acquire renter’s insurance if you don’t already have it

Sources:

Ready.gov

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/hurricane

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2019/08/12/hurricane-season-life-hacks-floridians-shared-their-most-unconventional-storm-survival-tips/