WHAT IS A HURRICANE WATCH? |
When you hear that a Hurricane Watch has been posted for your specific area, it means that hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to your specified coastal area within 36 hours.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED! |
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Frequently monitor your local AM/FM radio stations, the TV, NOAA Weather Radio, your local police (with your scanner) and hurricane hotline telephone numbers for official bulletins of the storm's progress.
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Fuel and service family vehicles.
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Stock up on extra batteries for radios, flashlights, and lanterns. Check the batteries you have on-hand, test them in the equipment in which they will be used. Reading the voltage across the battery terminals is of no use. Using the battery tester supplied by the manufacturer is ok, but I have very little confidence in them. Place all rechargeable batteries on charge. Rechargeable batteries are usually used for items such as cordless screw-guns, video cameras, digital cameras, and some flashlights.
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Carefully remove or prune tree limbs near the electrical feed-line leading to your home.
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Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
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Prepare to cover all windows, skylights, and door openings with shutters or other shielding materials. Masking tape IS NOT ENOUGH. It will not prevent flying debris from breaking the windows.
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Locate your home's cut-off switches and valves for the electricity, water and gas, so that you know where they are, should you need to turn them off.
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Purchase bags of ice and fill empty spaces in freezers.
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Check food and water supplies.
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Stock up on first aid supplies.
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Have clean, airtight containers on hand to store at least 2 weeks of drinking water (1 gallon per day or 14 gallons per person). A better 'rule-of-thumb' is to store TWO gallons per-person, per-day (a total of 28 gallons per-person), so as to have enough water for sanitary purposes as well.
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Stock up on canned provisions. Test your camping stove and check its fuel supply.
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Keep a small cooler with frozen gel packs handy for packing refrigerated items.
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Check prescription medicines - obtain at least a 10-day to 2-week supply.
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Prepare to store and secure outdoor lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight objects, such as garbage cans, garden tools, potted plants, etc. Secure ANYTHING which could possibly become a flying projectile in high winds.
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Have on hand an extra supply of cash.
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Review your evacuation plan.
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Review your family disaster plan.
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WHAT IS A HURRICANE WARNING? |
When you hear that a Hurricane Warning (rather than a hurricane watch) has been issued for your area, that means that sustained hurricane-force winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected in your area within 24 hours or less.
A WARNING IS YOUR SIGNAL TO TAKE ACTION, AND TO PREPARE FOR THE FULL FORCE OF A HURRICANE!
The consequences for coastal communities could be severe if the proper emergency action is not taken.Although a coastal area will always be specified in connection with the hurricane warning, those residents living inland as far as several hundred miles from the designated area should not consider themselves safe. They also should take action.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED! |
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Closely monitor radio, NOAA weather radio and TV Weather reports.Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered to do so.
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Turn off water supply to solar panels if your home is so equipped.
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Remove TV antennas, and cable TV feed lines.
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Remove all attic ventilation turbines, cover the mounting flange with plastic, and wrap with duct tape. Then attach a piece of plywood on the inside of attic to plug the hole.
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Also remove any other lightweight accessory from your roof to reduce debris and damage potential.
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Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting.
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Close all windows and install your storm shutters.
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Draw all drapes and blinds to stop flying glass.
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Complete preparation activities, such as storing loose objects, etc.
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Package your valuables such as jewelry, titles, deeds, insurance papers, professional licenses, personal inventories, etc., in waterproof containers for safe keeping.
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Evacuate areas that might be affected by storm surge flooding.
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LEAVE MOBILE HOMES in any case.
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Notify neighbors and family members outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.
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Remove or fasten securely all awnings and shutters.
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Make sure downspouts and rain gutters are secure.
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