Know your risk of Hurricanes
Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage, because of storm surge, wind damage, rip currents and flooding. They can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Because rain, wind, water, even tornadoes could happen far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall.
Make an Emergency Plan
Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands plan for hurricanes. You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Learn your evacuation routes, practice with household, pets, and identify where you will stay. Consequently your family will know what to do. Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and partners. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures. If you or anyone in your household is an individual with a disability identify if you may need additional help during an emergency.
Be hurricane ready
If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately, it could save your life. Have enough supplies for your household, include medication, disinfectant supplies, masks, pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk. After a hurricane, you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks. Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents such as ID’s are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a secure password protected digital space. Keep your cell phone charged when you know a hurricane is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, making essential purchases and slowly building up supplies in advance will allow for longer time periods between shopping trips. This helps to protect those who are unable to procure essentials beforehand and must shop more frequently. Only take the items you and your family may need so that others who rely on these products can also access them.
Returning Home After Hurricanes
- Pay attention to local officials for information and special instructions.
- Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing, use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris, and maintain a physical distance of at least six feet while working with someone else. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if they do not have an allergy to mold. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
- Continue taking steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, such as washing your hands often and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
- Wear protective clothing and work with someone else.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.
- Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens that cause illnesses, debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Save phone calls for emergencies. Because phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
- Document any property damage as a result from the storm with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.