By Pat Preslar, Mt. Gilead police chief • Hurricanes can create severe flooding, dangerous storm surges, high winds and tornadoes. The effects of these storms can be devastating to entire communities and can have long-lasting consequences, including loss of life and property.
With the approach of Hurricane Florence, a Category 4 storm, it is imperative we plan and prepare for this potentially dangerous event.
Proper planning can help you and your family get through a hurricane safely. Learn the key elements of a good plan, then plan to stay connected with family members, take care of loved ones with special needs, protect your pets, and handle other important aspects of preparedness.
A hurricane preparedness checklist and preparedness kit will provide reassurance that have thought of all the essentials and will greatly reduce the likelihood that you will forget something during the stressful time immediately before a potential hurricane.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
- STEP 1. Hold a family meeting. Discuss the hazards of hurricanes. Encourage children to talk about their fears and explain some of the things you’ll be doing to keep everyone safe. Start a written list of things you’ll need to take care of and encourage everyone in the family to contribute their ideas.
- STEP 2. Discuss shelter options. Determine whether you live in an evacuation zone and, if so, where you will go if an evacuation order is given. Going to a family member or friend’s house or hotel outside the evacuation area is your best choice. If you choose to go out of town, do so well in advance of the storm. Since shelters provide for only basic needs, this should be your choice of last resort.
- STEP 3. Ensure your assets are protected. Inventory your home possessions and videotape or photograph items of value. Review your insurance policies to ensure you have adequate coverage.
- STEP 4. Assess your home for vulnerable areas. Do a walk-through of your home and property to evaluate your roof, windows, garage door, landscaping, etc., and determine what actions you will take.
- STEP 5. Make a plan to protect your vehicles. Decide where you will store or park your vehicle, boat or RV. Check your vehicle insurance policy and keep it in the same safe place as your homeowner’s policy.
- STEP 6. Secure your home. Decide what actions you will need to take to protect your home and your property (shutters, generator, trim trees), and to keep as comfortable as possible during recovery.
- STEP 7. Discuss whether anyone in your home is elderly or has special needs and, if so, make arrangements in advance to accommodate those needs.
- STEP 8. Determine how you will address your pet’s needs and make a plan for your pet in case you have to evacuate. Be sure to plan for large animals such as horses.
- STEP 9 Gather your supplies. Determine your family’s food, water and medical needs and assemble your hurricane kit according to those needs. Ideally, your kit should contain non-perishable food, medications and water to last for at least 72 hours in a disaster.
- STEP 10. Notify others of your plan. Let family or friends know what your hurricane plan is so they can check on you in the aftermath of the storm. Establish an out-of-town contact.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KIT: GENERAL SUPPLIES
- Pack a “bug-out bag” and/or “72-hour kit.” This bag should be packed with essential supplies, food and water, clothing, and whatever you feel is important to have during an evacuation.
- Cash. ATMs and credit card machines may not work for a while after the storm.
- Battery-operated radio. Make sure you have extra batteries, too, so that you can keep up with news reports and alerts. Hand-crank radios work well, too.
- Anyone on prescription medications should pack a two-week supply of their meds in a sealable plastic bag, clearly labeled.
- Make sure you have a couple of flashlights, candles, matches, lanterns and other alternate sources of light.
- Personal hygiene items – it might be hard to get to the store to buy toilet paper, tissues, soap and other sanitary items after the storm.
- Having an extra set of keys in your kit is a good idea in case people get separated or if they’re lost in a flood or the confusion.
- Remember food, medicine and water for your pet, too.
- Disinfectant. You never know what mess you’ll have after a storm.
- Customize your own hurricane preparedness checklist and print it out for your reference.
- You’ll need extra batteries for your radio, flashlights and other items. Get these early before they all sell out.
- Emergency items sell out quickly at the stores, so stock up your kit before hurricane season even starts.
You can also keep up to date with storm alerts, emergency response, evacuation notices, and general information about the storm at the following locations:
Montgomery County Emergency Management