Before The Storm

• Check into the storm surge history and elevation of your area
• Find the safe evacuation routes
• Locate the Official Hurricane Shelter locations
• Find a place to move your boat in an emergency
• Make sure your insurance policy includes adequate coverage
• Check to make sure emergency equipment is in good working order
• Keep tree limbs trimmed that could damage your house or utility wires during a storm
• Determine what materials you will need to secure your home during hurricane season. Purchase them and store them away.
• Ask your workplace about emergency plans
• Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center
• Meet with household members to prepare a weather emergency disaster plan
• Find the safe spots in your house
• Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries
• Show family members how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones
• Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information
• Pick one out-of-state and one local relative or friend to call if separated during a disaster
• Check your roof for loose or damaged shingles and clogged gutters
• Have tarps on hand to protect your roof if damaged in a storm
• Check chimneys, roofs, walls, and foundations for stability
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof
• Inventory your property

WHEN A HURRICANE WATCH IS ISSUED

• Monitor radio and television broadcasts for information regarding the storm's progress
• Refill prescription medicines (for you and your pets/at least 2 week's worth)
• Fill your car's gas tank; check oil and water
• Check your Hurricane Supplies Kit and buy the things you'll need
• Bring in loose things from the yard like toys, tools, flower pots, and hanging plants
• Prepare to cover windows and glass doors
• Get cash
• Review your Family Disaster Plan
• Have clean containers to store sufficient drinking water for several days
• Make sure you have materials for emergency repairs

WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

• Evacuate mobile homes immediately
• Evacuate areas that might be affected by storm surge flooding or evacuate immediately if told to do so by local officials
• Monitor radio and television broadcasts for updates on the storm
• Finish putting up storm shutters and storing loose objects
• Let a friend or relative outside the storm area know of your plans for evacuation
• Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and only open when necessary
• Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities
• Turn off propane tanks
• Unplug small appliances
• Close and brace external doors
• Close all interior doors
• Move boats on trailers close to the house
• Check your survival supplies again
• Prepare for high winds
• Have flashlights and extra batteries handy

IF YOU EVACUATE

• Plan to evacuate if you live in a mobile home. Do not stay in a mobile home under any circumstances. They are unsafe in high wind and/or Hurricane conditions no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• Plan to evacuate if you live on the coastline or on an offshore island, or live near a river or in a flood plain.
• Plan to evacuate if you live in a high-rise. Hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations. Glass doors and windows can be blown out of their casings and weaken the structure. 
• Stay with friends and relatives or at low-rise inland hotel or motels outside of flood zones. Leave early to avoid heavy traffic, roads blocked by early flood waters, and bridges impassable due to high winds.
• Put food and water out for pets if you can not take them with you. Public shelters do not allow pets nor do most hotels/motels.
• Hurricane shelters will be available for people who have no other place to go. 
• Do not forget to lock windows and doors at home. Turn off gas, water, electricity. Check to see that you have done everything to protect your property from damage and loss.
• Use evacuation routes given by government officials. Do not try to find a shortcut!!!
• Take along warm, protective clothing.

IF YOU STAY AT HOME

• Only stay in a home if you have not been ordered to leave. If you are told to leave do so immediately!!!
• Fill sterilized jugs and bottles with water for a two weeks supply of drinking water. Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.
• Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Stay inside a well constructed building, such as a home, examine the building and plan in advance what you will do if winds becoming strong.
• Strong winds can produce deadly missiles and structural failure.
• Be alert for Tornadoes which are often spawned by Hurricanes.
• If the "eye" of the Hurricane should pass over your area, be aware that improved weather conditions are temporary and that storm conditions will return with winds coming from the opposite direction sometimes in a period of just a few minutes.
• Move furniture away from exposed doors and windows.
• Protect your property from a damage without any unnecessary risks. Temporary repairs can reduce your losses.
• Keep tuned to radio and television for information from official sources. Unexpected changes can sometimes call for last minute relocations. 

• Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway. Take a battery-powered radio and a flashlight with you to your place of refuge.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors and particularly double inward opening doors and garage doors.
• If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room or basement, such as a bathroom, closet or under the stairs.
• If you are in the multiple-story building and away from the water go to the first or second floor and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows. Interior stairwells and the areas around elevator shafts are generally the strongest part of a building.