HOW TO PREPARE FOR A
HURRICANE
Hurricane season in the United States usually lasts from June 1
through November 30 and the state of Florida gets their fair share
of these natural disasters. Preparedness is not just necessary,
but having a plan will help you and your loved ones keep their
peace of mind during this stressful time.
You can ward off some of the danger if you are prepared. These
suggestions will help you stay ahead of the storm.
1. Get your food supply ready
Have at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food on hand.
Focus on high-nutrition foods that require no refrigeration,
preparation or cooking and little or no water. Your foodstuffs
might include:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables
- Canned juices, milk, soup
- Staples, including sugar, salt, pepper
- High energy foods, including peanut butter, jelly, crackers,
granola bars, trail mix
- Vitamins
- Foods for infants, the elderly or people on special diets
- Comfort/stress foods, including cookies, hard candy, instant
coffee, tea
Optimally, a two-week supply of nonperishable food is
recommended. Though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off
your food supply for that long, such a stockpile can relieve a
great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty until services are
restored. You don't need to go out and buy unfamiliar foods to
prepare an emergency food supply. You can use the canned foods,
dry mixes and other staples on your cupboard shelves.
Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is
fairly cool. To protect boxed foods from pests and extend their
shelf life, store the boxes in tightly closed cans or metal
containers.
Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad, and
replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place
new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.
Keep a supply of cooking and eating implements that can be used
in the absence of running water or electricity, including:
- Plastic utensils, paper cups and plates
- Manual can and bottle openers
- A heating source, such as a camp stove or canned heat stove,
and extra fuel.
2. Create an Emergency Supply Kit
This should be put together before a hurricane strikes. A
full list of recommended and suggested items are available through
FEMA:
- Non-perishable food; at least a three day supply.
- Water; 1 gallon per person per day for at least three days
is recommended.
- Hand-crank or battery-powered radio to keep up with news and
weather reports.
- Flashlights.
- Extra batteries.
- First aid kit.
- Medications.
- Whistle to signal for help.
- Food and water for any pets or animals.
- Credit cards, ATM cards, cash.
- Copies of important documents. Keep them in a waterproof and
portable container.
3. Securing your home
- Board up windows or attach storm shutters. Taping windows will
not prevent breakage, but will help reduce shattering.
- Electric power may be off, so have a supply of extra food,
especially things that can be eaten without cooking, and a
hand-operated can opener.
- Thoroughly clean the bathtub, jugs, bottles and cooking
utensils, and fill containers with drinking water. Allow a minimum
of 3 gallons of water for each person.
- Check trees and shrubbery, and remove limbs that could damage
your house or utility lines.
- Secure anything that might tear loose or blow away, including
garbage cans, grills, potted plants, garden tools, toys, signs,
porch furniture, awnings.
- Do not lower the water level in your swimming pool, or it may
pop out of the ground. Remove pumps from underground pits after
all valves have been closed and the electricity has been shut off.
If the filter pump is exposed, wrap it in a waterproof material
and tie it securely. Add extra chlorine to the pool to help
prevent contamination (3 gallons of chlorine per 5,000 gallons of
water).
- Fill your car's gas tank.
4. Family Safe Place
Select a safe place for the family to weather the storm. This
may be a location in your home -- consider a windowless room on
the bottom floor. If your home doesn't have a safe area, you
should know the locations of at least two emergency shelters near
your home. If you have special medical needs and don't think
you'll be able to get to the shelter on your own, contact the
county in advance to make prior arrangements.
5. Consider a back-up generator
Your electricity may be out for
days after a storm, and if you had some water damage, it can
provide a fertile place for mold to grow during a humid summer.
You may be eligible for a discount from your insurance company if you have a back-up generator that automatically keeps your air
conditioning, alarm system and other key items running as soon as
the electricity goes out.