What to Do if a Hurricane Approaches

Follow these tips as the hurricane/coastal storm approaches:

• If you are traveling, find safe shelter immediately.
• If you are at home or at work:
  
  • Only stay in a home if you have NOT been ordered to leave. Stay inside a well constructed building.
  • In structures, such as a home, examine the building and plan in advance what you will do if winds become strong. Strong winds can produce deadly missiles and structural failure.
  • Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
  • Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.
  • Turn off propane tanks.
  • Unplug major appliances.
  • Fill large containers with water.
• If winds become strong:
  
  • Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway.
  • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.
  • If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom or closet.
  • If you are in a multiple-story building and away from the water, go to the first or second floors and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from the windows.
  • Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
  • Remain indoors during the hurricane. Do not be fooled by the "eye" or the lull that occurs as the storm center moves overhead. The other side of the hurricane "eye" has winds that will rapidly increase and will come from the opposite direction.

Evacuation

• If an EVACUATION is ordered by local government officials “do so! The temptation to "tough it out" can put lives at risk - yours and the personnel who may be sent on an otherwise avoidable rescue mission.
• Follow the instructions and advice of local government officials. If you are advised to evacuate, do so promptly. If you are advised to go to a certain location, go there. Do not go anywhere else.
• If certain travel routes are advised, use those routes rather than trying to find short cuts. If you are told to shut off water, gas or electrical service to your home before leaving, do so. Also, find out from the broadcast reports where emergency housing and feeding stations are located, in case you need to use them.
• Leave as soon as officials instruct that you do to avoid being marooned on flooded highways.
• Make certain you have enough fuel for your car.
• As you travel, keep listening to the radio for additional instructions.
• Watch for washed-out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires and falling or fallen objects.
• Watch out for areas where rivers or streams may flood suddenly.
• Do not try to cross a stream or pool of water unless you are certain that the water will not be over your knees, or above the middle of the wheels of your car, all the way across. Sometimes the water will hide a bridge or part of a road that has been washed out. If you do decide it is safe to cross, put your car in low gear and drive very slowly to avoid splashing water into your engine and causing it to stop. Also, remember that your brakes may not work well after the car has been in deep water. Try them out a few times when you reach the other side.