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Storm Tips...
Be Prepared!
1. Call a family meeting now to discuss your plans of
action.
2. Create a care plan for any family member who may be
infirm or immobile at the time of impending disaster.
3. A contact plan needs to be implemented so each family
member is immediately notified should a disaster be pending,
and each person must know the family’s chosen out-of-town
contact, their telephone number and address.
4. Create a written list of all important tasks that
need to be done prior to a storm, both for staying and
evacuating. Keep this list visible. Assign tasks according to
what each member is capable of achieving. The family leader
will review that all tasks have been completed.
5. Do tasks well in advance. Stock up on supplies, have
extra copies of all important papers, and purchase safe,
easily deployable protection for your home’s windows and
doors.
6. Have several plans ready for pets. There has been
some leniency about shelters taking pets after Katrina, but
you still may have to make some difficult decisions.
7. Make sure an emergency bag is packed and ready to go
at any time for each family member and that it includes
medications, clothing, cash, a credit card, and current photos
of each family member.
8. Organize a community meeting immediately. Make a
community evacuation plan so all people who want to leave will
be able to do so in an orderly manner. Also, create a plan for
neighbors to assist each other.
9. Discuss evacuation routes with your local officials
now and find out what routes are the best ones to use in case
of an emergency.
10 Talk to community leaders about what hospitals or
emergency facilities will be operational during a storm.
11. Be prepared to leave early. Getting out of town will
be more difficult than you expect. If you can’t leave early,
have alternative plans.
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Storm Veterans’ Tips
“What I Wish I Had Done Last Time!”
1. Cash, cash, cash. It goes fast. Make sure you have an
emergency stash as ATMs and credit cards may not work.
2. Buy battery-operated lanterns and fans, along with
plenty of batteries.
3. If you have a generator, buy a small window A/C and
run that instead of your central air.
4. Have extra cell phone batteries and get a car charger
so you can power up if the electricity is still out.
5. Get a corded phone for your house. Portables will not
work if the power is out, and your cell phone may not always
work either.
6. Have a well-stocked first aid kit, bug spray and
mosquito repellent.
7. Make sure to have two disposable, waterproof cameras
to take pictures if there is damage to your home.
8. Have as much bottled water available as possible. You
will go through it faster than you think.
9. Collect gas cans. Get enough 5-gallon cans to have 20
or more gallons of fuel handy for the generator. Fill them
before the storm is threatening. Gas stations run out of gas.
10. Have enough propane, charcoal and starter fluid to
last you two to three weeks or more.
11. Create a hurricane chest of toys for the kids with
games especially for this time.
12. Have several tarps on hand.
13. Do as much laundry beforehand, and get a wooden
clothes rack to dry wet clothes if needed.
14. If you decide to evacuate, make your reservations
early, flight and/or hotel.
15. Empty your refrigerator and freezer completely if
leaving your home.
16. If you think your home has mold, call the Health
Department for guidance and brochures on how to handle the
situation.
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