Hurricane Tracking Blog

This is a quick hurricane checklist. During a hurricane:

• If you must use candles, do not leave them unattended - keep them in safe holders and away from flammable material such as curtains, paper and wood.
• In case of heavy winds and severe electrical lightning, turn off and unplug electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.
• If you are using a portable generator, plug appliances into the generator, using extension cords if necessary. For your safety, place the portable generator outside the house so that it (the generator) gets proper ventilation. Always turn it off when refueling.

If you are in an advanced stage of pregnancy (seven to nine months), when a hurricane threatens there are certain precautions you should take. During an emergency or disaster, many pregnant women go into labor. This has happened many times in the past, particularly during extremely dangerous storms. Here are some general precautions:

• Be sure to have necessities for the birth of the baby and for yourself in a waterproof bag or plastic. Take them with you wherever you go.
• If you live alone, get a friend or relative to stay with you or move to one of their homes before the hurricane begins.
• If you live in an area that is likely to be affected by a storm surge or flooding, plan to move to a safer area.
• If your house does not offer adequate protection, leave for one that is safer.
• If you live very far from the hospital or nursing home where you are to be delivered, arrange to stay with a friend or relative who lives closer.
• Keep an extra supply of any special medication you will need.
• If possible, visit your doctor or midwife before the hurricane strikes to ensure that your baby and yourself are fine.
• Be sure to pack your medical insurance card with your and the baby’s things. You may need it of you have to go to a hospital where you are required to pay.
• Keep calm. This very important for you and your baby. Worry and anxiety can be harmful to you both.

Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here are some useful hurricane preparation tips.

1) DON’T WAIT

Some important things to do before a hurricane reaches where you are:

• Look over your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage.

• Check the storm surge history and elevation of your area.

• Make an inventory of your possessions.

• Photograph your house and all the rooms inside for insurance purposes.

• Make sure roofing is properly fastened and secure – make all the necessary repairs.

• Obtain lumber, plywood, and concrete nails for battening up.

• Know your evacuation route.

• Organize a place to meet with your family should you become separated during the storm.

• Clear your yard and drains of debris.

• Prune tree limbs that are close to your house. They can cause damage to your home or utility wires during a storm.

• Find a place to move your boat in an emergency.

• If your home is at risk, plan in advance where you will stay. Call the community / town / city disaster coordinator for the location of the nearest shelter.

• If you need transportation to a public shelter due to special needs – such as age, physical disability, or mental disorder, register in advance with the nearest disaster preparedness office.

2) THE HURRICANE LOOMS

What To Do If A Hurricane WATCH Is Issued

• Listen to weather updates.

• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools.

• Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.

• Elevate furniture or relocate them to higher floor to protect from flooding.

• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.

What To Do If A Hurricane WARNING Is Issued

• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.

• Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors.

• Obey evacuation order, if issued.

• Park your car in a place that will be safest from falling trees and utility poles.

• If you are in a high-rise, know the location of the nearest stairway. Don’t use the elevator.

• Batten down windows and doors with shutters or lumber. Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.

• Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest level. Freeze water in plastic containers.

• Sanitize bathtubs and fill with water.

• Wrap important papers (passports, birth certificates, etc.) in plastic or in waterproof containers and store in a safe room.

3) HURRICANE EVACUATION

Storm Surge Evacuation Tips

• Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location.

• Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route.

• Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside of the vulnerable area.

• Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information.

• Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up all doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.

• Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.

• Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.

• If your family evacuation plan includes a boat or trailer, leave early.

• If you are ordered by local officials to evacuate, do so as quickly as possible. Don’t delay.

• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station.

4) GOING TO A STORM SHELTER

• Check with disaster coordinator for available shelters in your area.

• Find out about adequate amenities/facilities at shelter ahead of time.

• Carry enough food and water for three days. Don’t expect to be fed by emergency crew.

• Take with you medication, first-aid kit and change of clothes.

• Wear comfortable footwear such as sneakers or water boots if flooding is likely.

• Also take blanket, pillow and sleeping bag.

5) FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

• Assign roles/responsibilities for hurricane preparedness and evacuation to each member of the household long before actual storm

• Establish an evacuation plan and map out exit strategy and route.

• Review emergency plans monthly.

• Ensure all doors and windows are properly secured to make break-ins difficult.

• Alert parish disaster coordinator and police when evacuating premises.

• Place furniture on raised platform, e.g. building blocks, to prevent flood damage.

• If not carrying all important documents, such as passports and ID cards, lock them in a watertight container.

6) DISASTER SUPPLIES

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and ready to eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna, sardines, tinned sausage, crackers and canned fruit

• Manual can opener

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Medication

• Important documents, including passports, birth certificates, insurance policies

• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members

• Change of clothes for everyone

• Emergency tools

• Extra set of home and car keys

• Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids

• Matches, candles and hurricane lamps

• Bleach and other cleansers

• Tissue, soap, sanitary napkins

• Disposable cups, plates and utensils

• Large plastic trash bags

• Containers for water storage

• Coal or oil stove, grill

• Portable cooler

• 100 feet rope

• Tape

• Blankets and towels

• Mosquito repellent

• Tarpaulin

Pre-Season Preparedness:

• Make plans for protection of plant and equipment.
• Identify essential employees or safety wardens on each floor.
• Develop procedure and policies fro pre-season, hurricane watch, hurricane warning.
• Identify and protect vital records.
• Review insurance policies.
• Determine types and amount of emergency supplies needed: battery-operated radio, one flashlight per person, extra batteries, first-aid kit, emergency tool kit, stocks of food and water supplies.
• Compile an emergency contact list.
• Identify and back-up vital records.
• Prepare and check facilities.
• Stock up on emergency supplies.
• Provide staff with hurricane preparedness information.

During a Hurricane Watch

• Secure all doors, windows and other openings against wind and water. Tie down or bring indoors any object which may be blown about by the hurricane. Cover windows with shutters or board.
• If a room is to be occupied during the hurricane, it must be properly secured with ply board or hurricane shutters.
• Verify that vital records are in a safe storage area.
• Files, records and storage cabinets may be wrapped in plastic to protect against moisture and raised off the floor. If necessary, relocate records to a safe storage facility off site, temporarily.
• Ensure all vehicles are serviced and fuelled. Determine where they can be parked safely to whether the storm.
• Confirm availability of computer support.
• An inventory of hurricane supplies should be done and restocking, if necessary.
• Assign responsibility for tracking the hurricane.
• Send home essential employees temporarily so that they can secure their personal property before returning to duty.

During a Hurricane Warning

• Remove hanging objects from walls.
• Take down outdoor objects – antennas and satellite dishes.
• Listen to the radio.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows.
• Wrap office equipment in plastic and secure them properly, especially for areas prone to flooding.
• Turn off lights and disconnect electrical equipment.
• After workstations have been prepared; send staff home to finalize their preparations.

Before a hurricane, here are some things you should from an electrical safety stand point - your hurricane checklist:

1. Trim and remove trees that could fall on power lines during strong winds.
2. Contact your power company for advice when trimming or removing trees that are close to power lines.
3. Have a licensed electrician check the service wire connection to your home to make sure it can withstand hurricane winds.
4. Stock up on battery-powered flashlights and batteries in case of power outages.
5. Ensure that family members know where the circuit breaker is located, just in case you need to turn off the power.
6. If you are installing a stand-by generator, get a licensed electrician to connect it to the main electric panel. A special switch is needed to ensure that the power from the generator does not “back feed” into power lines and potentially cause injuries.
7. If someone in your home depends on life-support equipment, and you do not have a stand-by generator, consider moving the individual to a special facility to avoid the effects of an extended power outage.
8. When a hurricane threatens, turn your refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings in order to ensure that the food lasts longer in the event of a power outage.