When The Season Begins
- Organize and evaluate your emergency supplies. Make sure you have enough for at least two weeks. You'll also want to make certain your emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Obtain and store materials such as plywood and duct tape necessary to properly secure your home.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall and bump against the house. However, once a hurricane watch or warning has been issued, do not attempt to trim trees and shrubs. Trash pickup will be suspended, and your trash can become a dangerous missile in the storm's high winds.
- Review your insurance policy and keep a copy handy (in a watertight container) to take along should you have to evacuate.
- Decide where you will go if you must evacuate.
- Prepare in advance to evacuate inland to a low-rise hotel, motel or a friend or relative's home outside the storm area. Plan your route, but have an alternate. Notify family and friends of your plans.
- You will need to evacuate if you live in a mobile home or high-rise building. Review your evacuation plan at the beginning of every hurricane season.
- Don't forget to allow extra time for elderly friends or relatives if you wish to help them evacuate. Plan when you will secure their property and pick them up when the evacuation order is issued. Keep a checklist of their prescription medications in your emergency plans so you will know what they need to bring when you evacuate them.
- If you need special consideration to evacuate (because of age, physical disability, medical needs, etc.) register with your County's Civil Defense and Office of Emergency Management in advance.
- Discuss emergency plans with your agency representative and your physician if you receive home health care or depend on electrical life-support equipment. Make arrangements with a hospital if necessary.
