"Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes
are responsibilities that are shared by all."
Throughout
this Web site, information has been provided regarding actions that you can
take based on specific hurricane hazards. The most important thing that you
can do is to be informed and prepared. Disaster prevention includes both being
prepared as well as reducing damages (mitigation).
Disaster Prevention should include:
One
of the most important decisions you will have to make is "Should I Evacuate?"
If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay.
But
unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently,
or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask
you to evacuate. That means that it is important for you and your family to
HAVE A PLAN that makes you as safe as possible in your home.
Disaster
prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that
you can be as safe as possible. It also includes having the supplies on hand
to weather the storm. The suggestions provided here are only guides. You should
use common sense in your disaster prevention.
- DEVELOP
A FAMILY PLAN - Your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability
to the Hurricane Hazards. You should keep a written plan and share your plan
with other friends or family.
- CREATE
A DISASTER SUPPLY KIT - There are certain items you need to have regardless
of where you ride out a hurricane. The disaster supply kit is a useful tool
when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.
- SECURE
YOUR HOME - There are things that you can do to make your home more
secure and able to withstand stronger storms.
- ONLINE
VULNERABILITY INFO - There are web sites that can give you information
about your communities vulnerability to specific hazards. These include hurricanes
as well as other weather related hazards.
RELATED
INFORMATION
ONLINE
VULNERABILITY INFO
PDF
RESOURCES
RELATED
MULTIMEDIA
AGAINST
THE WIND (0.2mb)
MAX
MAYFIELD DISCUSSES - BEING
PREPARED (0.1mb MP3)
MAX
MAYFIELD DISCUSSES - HAVING
A PLAN (0.1mb MP3)
RELATED
WEBSITES
FEDERAL
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
AMERICAN
RED CROSS
ADDITIONAL
SAFETY INFORMATION
FAMILY
DISASTER PLAN
- Discuss the
type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability
to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate
a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In
certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your
community.
- Determine escape
routes from your home and places to meet.
- Have
an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have
a single point of contact.
- Make
a plan now for what to do with your pets
if you need to evacuate.
- Post
emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know
how and when to call 911.
- Check
your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners
insurance. National Flood Insurance
Program
- Stock
non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster
Supply Kit.
- Use
a NOAA weather radio. Remember
to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
- Take First
Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
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