Hurricane Safety – Stay Prepared this Season

Hurricane safety this season in the Northeast should be practiced from June to November. The weather has already been extreme this summer; floods, power outages, and wind damage has been widespread throughout the country. While you can’t predict the next superstorm, you can still prepare for it.

What To Do Before a Hurricane

1. Have an evacuation plan. Figure out where you will go and how you will get there. 
2. Plan to shelter safely. You and your family can practice going to a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level of the home.
   • If you are in an area likely to flood, your safe shelter will be the highest level of the home.
3. Gather emergency supplies. Organize 3 days worth of batteries, food, water, and medicine into a to-go kit, and also 2 weeks worth in a stay-at-home kit. Keep any medications in a child-proof container, and store any important records in the safest place.
4. Plan to stay connected. Have a portable charger for your phone, sign up for emergency alerts from your local government, or you can even purchase a battery-powered radio.
5. Learn emergency skills like first aid and CPR. You can also practice using any medical equipment or generators in your home.

How To Prepare Your Home

1. Prepare for wind. Secure items outside that could be picked up by high winds. Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home. You can also protect your windows with permanent storm-shutters or pre-cut plywood.
2. Prepare for flooding. Clean out your drains, gutters, and downspouts. You can stockpile any of your protective materials, like sandbags or plastic sheeting. Also, consider elevating your heating system, water heater, and electric panel.

What To During A Hurricane

1. Evacuate
   • If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately with your to-go kit. Follow evacuation routes, avoiding shortcuts that may be blocked off. Check with your local officials for safe-shelter locations.
2. Staying at home
   • Determine your best shelter protection from high winds or flooding, and go there. Stay away from glass windows or doors, and make sure that if you need to move to a higher ground, do so before flooding begins.
3. Prepare for power loss
   • Connect and set up your landline phone, radio, or generator.

NEVER walk, swim, or drive through flooded areas.

What Should You Do After a Hurricane?

1. Wait for officials to give you the OK before returning back home.
2. Avoid damaged or fallen power lines and poles.
3. Do not touch floodwaters. They may contain sewage, bacteria, or chemicals that can make you ill.
4. Clean and disinfect anything that got wet. When cleaning, use protective equipment like goggles, gloves, or boots. If you are cleaning heavy debris, work with someone who has proper training to use equipment.
5. Throw out food that may have gotten wet or warm, and avoid drinking tap water until local officials say it is safe.
6. Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress. You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.

For more information, visit the Red Cross Disaster Relief Support website. To view the NYC Hurricane Flood Hazard Mapper, visit here.