Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Step 1: Make a Family Disaster Plan. Include:

• Out-of-town emergency contacts.
• Other important phone numbers.
• Evacuation routes.
• Shelter locations.
• Include specific family needs.

Step 2: Practice the plan at least twice a year.

• Update plan as information changes.
• Drive planned evacuation routes.

Step 3: Create a disaster kit.

• Large plastic bin or box to hold items.
• Flashlight.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Radio.
• Extra Batteries.
• Cell phone charger.
• Blankets or sleeping bags and towels.
• For children:
  • Full diaper bag.
  • Baby bottles or sippy cups.
  • Pacifiers or comfort items.
  • Favorite small toys and books.
  • Growth charts.
  • Games, coloring books or puzzles.
  • Identification (e.g., bracelet with child’s name and parent’s contact info).
• Medical:
  • Prescribed medications, at least two weeks.
  • Copy of medical insurance.
  • Immunization record.
  • Contact information for doctor and other specialists.
  • Medical record (condition, medications, allergies, etc.).
• Change of clothing and shoes.
• Extra cash.
• First aid kit.
• Soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.
• Copies of important documents (medical records, insurance cards, IDs, bank account records, etc.).

Step 4: Collect emergency food and water.

• Canned food.
• Instant soup.
• Peanut butter.
• Cereal.
• Nuts and trail mixes.
• Protein and granola bars.
• Dried fruits.
• Baby food or powdered infant formula.
• At least one gallon of water per person per day.
• More water is needed for children, nursing mothers and sick family members.

Step 5: Plan to protect pets and other animals.

• Microchip pet and keep contact information updated.
• Find a pet-friendly place to stay or animal shelter.
• Have contact information for veterinarian.
• Include pet supplies in disaster kit.
  • Leash and collar with ID and current photo
  • Toys.
  • Pet carrier.
  • Waste bags or litter.
  • Food and water bowls.
  • Can opener.
  • Copies of vet records and registration information.
  • Medications.
• Add at least two-week supply of food and water for each pet.

Step 6: Talk to children about disasters.

• Show kids how to call for help and when to use emergency numbers.
• Teach your kids how to recognize emergency alerts.
• Talk about basic hurricane information.
• Go over the steps to keep your kids safe.
• Be honest when answering questions.

Initial alert: 36-48 hours

• Listen to the local news for weather updates and evacuation advisories.
• Review evacuation zones, evacuation routes, and shelters.
• Review the family disaster plan.
• Restock the disaster kit.

Approaching: 18-36 hours before

• Communicate with emergency contacts.
• Prepare home by:
  • Cleaning the yard (to prevent projectile debris).
  • Bringing in lightweight objects from outside.
  • Tying down other outside objects.
  • Trimming and removing loose branches.
  • Covering windows with storm shutters or plywood.
  • Testing CO monitor.
• Fill up car with gas and move car into garage or under cover.
• Follow instructions of local authorities about evacuation.
  • Take disaster kit and emergency food and water.
  • Turn off gas, electricity and water.
  • Unplug appliances.
  • Take pets with you.
  • Plan to leave if you live in a mobile home.

Near: 6-18 hours before

• Check the latest weather updates often.
• Charge cell phones, computers and other electronics.

Immediately before: 0-6 hours

• Stay home if not in area of evacuation.
• Do not go outside until storm is over.
• Stay away from windows.
• Check the latest weather updates often.
• Consider limiting amount of media coverage children watch.
• Turn fridge and freezer to coldest setting.
• Be ready if told to leave.

Preventing illness and injury

• Get to higher ground if flooding occurs.
• Do not drive or walk through flooded areas or standing water.
• Do not allow children to play in water.
• Pay attention to temperatures outside and protect the vulnerable (e.g., age 65+, babies, children and the sick).
• Listen to reports of the air quality and limit time outside when exposure is high.
• Wash hands with safe water.
• Do not drink or eat anything contaminated by flood water.
• Throw away food that smells different and looks different.
• Wear rubber gloves, glasses, mask, and sturdy shoes during cleanup.
• Minimize time around cleaning solutions.
• Keep children and pets away until cleanup is done.
• Seek medical assistance for injuries or illnesses.

Returning home

• Return home only when local officials say it is safe to do so.
• Avoid loose power lines and stay on solid ground.
• Enter your home during daylight hours, exercising caution.
• Use flashlight to inspect walls and foundation.
• Look for any hazards caused by gas leaks, electricity and flood water.
• Watch out for wild or stray animals, snakes and insects.
• Take pictures of home and personal belongings.
• Ventilate home by opening doors and windows.
• Throw away items that cannot be washed or disinfected.
• Cut out dry wall and insulation that came in contact with flood water.
• Fully clean hard surfaces with hot water and soap.
• Children should only return once cleanup is complete.

Mold

• Mold begins to grow within 24-48 hours.
• Mold exposure can increase risk of:
  • Asthma attacks.
  • Wheezing.
  • Stuffy nose.
  • Red and itchy eyes or skin.
• Signs of mold include:
  • Discolored walls or ceilings.
  • Musty, earthy or foul odor.
• Completely dry everything before cleanup.
  • Open windows and doors.
  • Use fans when possible.
• Throw away objects that cannot be cleaned.
• Hire professionals to help with larger jobs.
• Protect mouth, nose, skin and eyes during cleanup.
• Cleaning mold:
  • Use soap and water, household bathroom cleaning products, or a mixture of 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of bleach
  • Never mix cleaning products.
  • Painting or caulking over mold will not fix the problem.

Mosquitoes

• The types of mosquitoes spreading viruses can increase two weeks to two months after hurricane.
• Prevent bites:
  • Wear long sleeves and pants.
  • Use insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Babies and children:
  • Cover legs and arms with clothing.
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers.
  • No insect repellents on children < 2 months of age.
  • No products with oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children < 3 years of age.
• Get rid of standing water.
• Drain puddles of water or fill with dirt.
• Repair holes in screens or gaps in walls, doors and windows.

Flood Waters

• Do not drive or swim through flooded areas (fast moving water can pose a risk of drowning).
• Avoid flood waters due to possible increased contamination from sewage or toxic substances and hidden hazards from trees, branches, electrical wires, broken glass and other sharp objects.
  • Protect open cuts or wounds.
  • Wear rubber boots.
  • Wash hands and exposed body parts.
  • Do not allow children to play in water.
• Look out for stray or wild animals, snakes and insects.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas.
• Power outages increase the risk of exposure.
• Have a working smoke detector and CO detector in the house.
• Never use portable generators indoors or near sleeping areas.
• Other cooking devices (charcoal grills and kerosene) should not be used indoors for cooking.
• CO exposure symptoms:
  • Headache.
  • Dizziness.
  • Weakness.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Chest pain.
  • Confusion.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Death.
• If concern for exposure, get fresh air immediately, call poison control and seek medical attention.

Extreme Heat

• Heat and humidity brought by the storm worsen with the loss of electricity.
• Small children, the elderly, and the sick are more vulnerable to extreme heat.
• Protection against extreme heat:
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Limit time in direct sunlight.
  • Schedule outdoor activities in the morning or evening.
  • Spend time in cool places (mall, library, movies, etc.).
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Reduce strenuous activities.
  • Take cool showers.
  • Use lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Animal Hazards

• Animals can be forced out of their habitat after a hurricane.
• Do not corner stray or wild animals.
• Remove food and water sources that can be used by stray animals.
• Throw away trash and debris as soon as possible.
• Snakes may swim in water to get to higher ground.
• Call local authorities for help removing animal and snakes from home.

Classes to take:

• First Aid.
• CPR.
• Choking.
• Stop the Bleed.

When to call for help:

• Serious injury or illness:
  • No response to touch or voice.
  • Cannot move body part.
  • Bleeding heavily.
  • Sudden confusion.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Chest pain.
  • Seizure-like activity.
  • Stroke symptoms:
    • Slurred speech.
    • Ffacial droop.
    • Arm or leg weakness.
• Unsure what to do.
• Person in unsafe area or situation.

Cuts and wounds

• Wash hands with soap and clean water.
• Avoid touching the wound with exposed hands.
• Put pressure and elevate extremity to stop bleeding.
• Clean wound with soap and water.
• Remove dirt or foreign objects.
• Pat dry and apply waterproof bandage.
• Seek immediate medical attention for:
  • Large and deep wounds.
  • Animal or snake bite.
  • Puncture with dirty object.
  • Skin redness.
  • Pus.
  • Fever.
  • Increased pain.
  • Need to update tetanus.

Burns and blisters

• Possible sources of skin burns: sun, hot water/steam, electricity, chemicals and fire.
• Wear sunscreen, hat and long sleeves when outside.
• Apply moisturizer and drink more water.
• Wash burn with cool water and soap.
• Put ice pack on area to reduce swelling and pain (limit to 20 minutes at a time).
• It is safe to apply aloe vera or antibiotic cream (e.g., bacitracin).
• Do not put on other substances on burn (butter, mayonnaise, etc.).
• Leave blisters intact and don’t scratch skin.
• Cover burn with bandage or clean cloth.
• Seek immediate medical attention:
  • Large or deep burns.
  • Burns to face, genitals, hands, feet, near or on joint.
  • Signs of infection.
  • Need to update tetanus.

Bug bites and stings

• Remove the stinger by scraping with credit card or similar item.
• Wash the area with soap and water.
• Put ice pack on to reduce swelling and pain (max 20 minutes).
• Watch out for allergic reaction.
• Call poison control for advice.
• Seek immediate medical attention for:
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat.
  • Hives.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Muscle cramps.
  • Signs of infections.

Eye wash and eye safety

• Wear safety glasses or goggles to avoid splash from chemical or debris.
• Do not rub eyes.
• Flush eyes for at least 15 minutes.
• Remove contact lenses.
• Seek immediate medical attention if continued pain.

Sprains and strains

• Don’t overuse muscles and be aware of surroundings to avoid sudden falls or twisting.
• Stop activity if painful or swelling.
• RICE
  • Rest – avoid weight bearing for 48 to 72 hours.
  • Ice – use cold packs (max 20 minutes at a time).
  • Compression – use elastic wrap or bandage.
  • Elevation – place above heart when possible.
• Seek immediate medical attention for:
  • Bent or deformed bone.
  • Severe pain with touch or movement.
  • Unable to hold bear weight.
  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Sign of infection.

Nose bleeds

• Sit up and lean forward.
• Pinch soft part of nose and breathe through mouth.
• Seek immediate medical attention for:
  • Bleeding >30 minutes.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Large amount of blood loss.
  • Dizziness or paleness.

– For specific medical advice, diagnosis.and treatment consult your doctor. –

US Department of Housing and Urban Development	1-800-955-2232
US Postal Service	1-800-275-8777
Social Security Administration	1-800-772-1213
Medicare and Medical Issue	1-800-633-4227
Small Business Administration	1-800-659-2955
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)	1-800-621-FEMA or TTY 1-800-462-7585
FEMA, Open Emergency Shelter	Text SHELTER and zip code to 43362
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline	1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline	1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Salvation Army	1-800-758-2769
American Red Cross	1-800-RED CROSS / 1-800-733-2767
American Red Cross, hurricane or any disaster registry/welfare	1-866-GET-INFO or online at RedCross.org/SafeandWell
Poison Control	1-800-222-1222
Emergency Services	911
National Flood Insurance	1-800-720-1090