BEFORE THE STORM

Preparation:

Gather – Emergency Contacts, FirstAid kit, Non-perishable Food, Pet Supplies, Prescriptions, Batteries and a Battery-operated Radio, Flashlights, Portable Electronics Charger, shock-resistant hand tools
Create – a Buddy System, an Evacuation Plan, a Family Weather Plan, a Go Bag

Buddy System :

Network with neighbors and friends to have a community plan for emergencies. Prepare to jump into action and pool resources. This is much harder in the confusion after a storm. Neighbors may have medical skills, ham radio equipment, boats, food, standby home generators, or even live on higher ground or have spare bedrooms.

Evacuation Plan :

Know in advance where you will go in the need to evacuate. Plan your route and supplies. Make sure everyone in the family knows what/where/how in advance. Plan for managing traffic delays. Be prepared to be as comfortable as possible – ample fuel, snacks, meds, baby supplies, blankets, toys, etc.

Family Weather Plan :

Sever weather can hit unexpectedly. Select destination spots around town that offer suitable shelter and can be reached quickly if severe weather pops up. Prepare your family to know where to meet up afterwards if separated.  Ideas: Police stations, fire stations, schools. Choose buildings with substantial structural integrity first. Select a meet up location that will be easy to reach and a safe environment after a storm. If your home is at risk, it may not be the best meet up destination.

Go Bag Suggestions :

Clothes, jackets, extra socks, underwear, contact solution, extra glasses, spare prescriptions, a favorite toy, snack bars, diapers, travel-size toiletries, a zipped bag with pet food, pet collar and leash. Basically, a quick travel-necessities collection in the event a quick evacuation is called for.

• Remove everything outside your home that can become a projectile: limbs, lawn furniture, grills, planters, even wind chimes.

• Bag ice as emergency water. Fill containers and pots with water. Fill sinks with water. If it’s covered, it may be consumable. If not, it can be used for pets, bathing and, in some circumstances, flushing toilets.

• Take pictures of the inside and outside of your home and all valuables. Record any special notes.

• Place all important documents, pictures and valuables in airtight plastic storage or zipping bags. Place these high on shelves, in cabinets or on top of tall furniture.

• Record necessary medical information into a digital file. Take digital pictures of important personal documents and convert as many important files to digital as possible. Keep a backup copy on a thumb drive that you can wear or carry. You may want to use a permanent marker to label the outer case so any emergency personnel could easily identify it’s purpose.

• Move furniture upstairs. Elevate furniture by sitting it on blocks. Place furniture legs into plastic containers to protect from lower levels of water.

• Condense into an ice chest – the highest cold rating possible. Ice chests can be used to keep smaller portions of consumables cold when the power is out. Opening the refrigerator causes it to loose cool faster. Frozen water bottles serve as “ice” while also remaining drinkable. Ice chests can also be placed in dry areas in case of flooding in low areas or downstair floors.

• Turn the temperature setting on refrigerators and freezers to the coldest possible settings the day before the storm. Minimize opening the appliance door.

• Unplug appliances and electronics that would be sensitive to power surges.

• Turn off power to swimming pools. Add extra chlorine. Remove panels to enclosures. Do not cover pools as the cover can be damaged. Do not empty pools as some can “float”.

• Do not ignore evacuation orders.