HURRICANE ALLEY

Before for the Storm

The best defense against a hurricane is to be prepared. You should have a complete plan of action for your family in the event a hurricane threatens. It’s important that everyone in your family has a role in the plan. Review the plan at the beginning of every hurricane season and then rehearse it to assure that everyone knows what is expected of them and how long it will take to accomplish each task. Don’t forget to add time to account for deteriorating weather conditions and increased traffic on the roadways. If you have friends who will be staying with you during a hurricane, be sure to include them in your plan. Keep a list of prescribed medications and include them in your food and water storage plans. If you live alone you may want to consider teaming up with a friend or neighbor

Options:

1. Stay with friends or relatives at their inland home that is determined to be safe. If you do plan to stay with friends, make sure in advance that they know you intend to stay with them. Decide who will be responsible for supplies. You could also try to get a room in an inland hotel or motel that is determined to be a safe structure.
   
2. If you intend to attempt to relocate outside of the area, be prepared to leave as early as possible to avoid traffic and rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
   
   *** Tropical storms and hurricanes are well known for changing direction. You may find yourself headed directly into a threatened area. A hurricane can travel faster than a traffic jam, and the worst place to be in a hurricane is stuck in your car. You’re better off staying in a well constructed, properly prepared structure. ***
   
3. If you have nowhere else to go a Red Cross shelter may be available. Be aware that it may be crowded and uncomfortable with no privacy. Take pillows, blankets and your own supply of food, water, and prescription medicine. If you have young children you’ll need a few of their favorite small toys, games or books. Don’t go to a shelter until you hear from officials that the shelters have been opened. Pets, alcohol and firearms are not allowed in shelters.
   
   If you need transportation to a shelter or if you need non-life threatening medical support (oxygen, dialysis, etc.), you need to pre-register with your county’s Office of Emergency Management for a "special needs" shelter. Only those who pre-register will be assured of space in a special needs shelter.

• Talk with your children about hurricanes, what a hurricane is and how you are preparing for one. Give children responsibilities during hurricane preparations and make sure that at least one parent, relative or very close adult friend will be with the children at all times.
  
• Assign an emergency meeting place in case your family gets separated. Designate an out of town family member or friend as an emergency contact.
  
• Write down the important points in your plan so it’s clear who will handle each task and you won’t forget anything in the heat of the moment.
  
• Identify a "safe room" where your family can take cover if a major hurricane hits and threatens the structural integrity of your home. A large interior closet, bathroom, hallway or stairwell with no windows works best.
  
• Decisions about what to do in a hurricane, however, are yours alone, and the author is not responsible for any damage or injury resulting from information in, or omitted from, these hurricane safety pages.

Hurricane Alley Home	Hurricane Safety Table of Contents

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