Hurricane Preparedness

-Red Cross Photo

By Tami Stevenson

Hurricane season is officially upon us, it began June 1 and ends November 30.

     The American Red Cross has some good advice for anyone that has never experienced a hurricane and is a nice refresher for those that have.

Staying at Home 

• Determine your best protection for high winds and flooding.

   • Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.

   • Stay away from glass windows and doors.

   • Move to higher ground before flooding begins.

Evacuating

   • If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away.

   • Bring your Go Kit.

   •Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.

   •Check with local officials for shelter locations. Download the FREE Red Cross Emergency App to find shelters near you.

Never walk, swim, or try to drive through floodwater. 

  Remember: Turn Around! Don’t Drown!

How Does the Red Cross Help During Hurricanes?

  When a hurricane or tropical storm strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food and comfort.

How Can You Stay Safe After a Hurricane?

  Don’t return home until you’re told it’s safe.

  If you evacuated, don’t return home until local officials have declared that it is safe to enter your community and you have the supplies you will need. If your home was damaged by hurricane-force winds or flooding after the storm, it should be carefully inspected and thoroughly cleaned. 

Safety Basics

  •Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.

•Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.

  •Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill.

  •Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.

How to Clean Up Safely

  •Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots.

  • Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.

  • When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner. Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment, such as chainsaws.

  • Heart attacks are a leading cause of deaths after a hurricane. Be mindful of overworking.

Tips to Stay Healthy 

  • When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance if you have refrigerated medicines that got warm.

  • Avoid drinking tap water until local officials say it is safe.

Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.