Hurricane Preparedness

  • Hurricane conditions are sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] of higher.

  • Tropical Storm conditions are sustained winds of 39 – 74 mph.

  • Hurricane season is between June 1st and November 30th.

  • A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible in a stated area. Experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect tropical storm force winds to start.

In preparation

In preparation for an approaching Hurricane we recommend the following;

  • Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house. Program them into your cell phone too.

  • Prepare an emergency supply kit.

  • Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them in the event of a storm.

  • Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

During and after

During and after a hurricane you many need supplies to keep your family healthy and safe. Hurricanes may cut off your power and water supply, additionally you may not be able to use your motor vehicle due to damage or flooding. It is recommended you plan ahead and prepare the following;

Get your home ready

  • Clear your yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.

  • Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.

  • Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.

  • Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You’ll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.

  • Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery to prevent CO poisoning

Be ready to evacuate

Always listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.

If a hurricane is coming, you may hear an order from authorities to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built houses may not hold up against a hurricane. Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your health and safety.

You may hear an order to stay at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.

If you need to evacuate

  • Grab your emergency supply kit and only take what you really need with you (cell phone, chargers, medicines, identification like a passport or license, and cash).

  • Unplug your appliances. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.

  • Follow the roads that emergency workers recommend even if there’s traffic. Other routes might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas—cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.

  • Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets. Learn more about evacuating with your pet.

If you need to stay home

  • Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.

  • Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.

  • Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.

  • Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. Stay in a room with no windows or go inside a closet.

  • Be ready to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Wildfire
preparedness

Almost 45 million homes, 72,000 residential communities,  across the US are situated around or in wildland areas which may be exposed to wildfires.

Wildfire
preparedness

Almost 45 million homes, 72,000 residential communities,  across the US are situated around or in wildland areas which may be exposed to wildfires.

In and around your home

  • Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.

  • Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. Learn more about the basics of defensible space on the Firewise website.

  • Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

  • Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.

  • Wildfire can spread to treetops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

  • Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.

  • Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.

  • Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.

  • Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.

  • Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.

  • Learn more about how to protect your home and property at www.firewise.org.

Creating an emergency plan

  • Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Remember to include important documents, medications and personal identification.

  • Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.

  • Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.

  • Learn more about emergency preparedness planning on NFPA’s emergency planning webpage.

In your community

  • Contact your local planning/zoning office to find out if your home is in a high wildfire risk area, and if there are specific local or county ordinances you should be following.

  • If you are part of a homeowner association, work with them to identify regulations that incorporate proven preparedness landscaping, home design and building material use.

  • Talk to your local fire department about how to prepare, when to evacuate, and the response you and your neighbors can expect in the event of a wildfire.

  • Learn about wildfire risk reduction efforts, including how land management agencies use prescribed fire to manage local landscapes.

  • Learn how you can make a positive difference in your community. 

During the time a wildfire is in your area

  • Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department. Get your family, home and pets prepared to evacuate.

  • Place your emergency supply kit and other valuables in your vehicle.

  • Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed and garage as possible.

  • Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, garage doors and pet doors to prevent embers from penetrating your home.

  • Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.

  • Leave as early as possible, before you’re told to evacuate. Do not linger once evacuation orders have been given. Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire and helps ensure residents’ safety.

After a wildfire has been contained

  • Continue to listen to news updates for information about the fire. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

  • Visit FEMA/Ready.gov for more information regarding wildfire after an emergency.

If you need to stay home

  • Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.

  • Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.

  • Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.

  • Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. Stay in a room with no windows or go inside a closet.

  • Be ready to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Claims

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