"ACTION CHECKLIST"
"ACTION CHECKLIST"
Here is a list of the many things to consider be
fore, during and after a hurricane. Some of the
safety rules will make things easier for you during
a hurricane. All are important and could help
save your life and the lives of others.
Stay or Leave?
When a hurricane threatens your area, you will
have to make the decision whether you should
evacuate or whether you can ride out the storm
in safety at home.
If local authorities recommend evacuation, you
should leave! Their advice is based on knowledge
of the strength of the storm and its potential for
death and destruction.
In general:
- If you live on the coastline or offshore islands, plan to
leave.
- If you live near a river or in a flood plain, plan to
leave.
- If you live on high ground, away from coastal beaches,
consider staying.
In any case, the ultimate decision to stay or
leave will be yours. Study the following list and
carefully consider the factors involved especially
the items pertaining to storm surge.
- At Beginning of Hurricane Season (June) Make Plans for
Action
- Learn the storm surge history and elevation of your area
- Learn safe routes inland
- Learn location of official shelters
- Determine where to move your boat in an emergency
- Trim back dead wood from trees
- Check for loose rain gutters and down spouts
- If shutters do not protect windows stock boards
to cover glass.
When a Hurricane Watch is Issued for Your
Area
- Check often for official bulletins on radio, TV, or NOAA
Weather Radio
- Fuel car
- Check mobile home tie-downs
- Moor small craft or move to safe shelter
- Stock up on canned provisions
- Check supplies of special medicines and drugs
- Check batteries for radio and flashlights
- Secure lawn furniture and other loose material
outdoors
- Tape, board, or shutter windows to prevent
shattering
- Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from
their tracks
When a Hurricane Warning is Issued for Your Are
After the All-Clear is Given
- Drive carefully; watch for dangling electrical wires, undermined roads,
flooded low spots
- Don't sight-see
- Report broken or damaged water, sewer, and electrical lines
- Use caution re-entering home
- Check for gas leaks
- Check food and water for spoilage
Community Actions
Beyond individual and family actions during a hurricane emergency there
is much to be done at the community level. Many communities on the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts have made plans for action in the event a
hurricane threatens, such as delination of areas to be evacuated,
shelter-designations, evacuation routes, and emergency operations of
fire, police, and other public service units. But many exposed coastal
communities are not prepared for a hurricane, and others have waited for
disaster's expensive lesson before taking corrective steps. To encourage
community preparedness, NOAA's National Weather Service has invented a
town, named Homeport, and made it a model of hurricane
preparedness.
Copies of The Homeport story are available from Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 20402. Stock
number 0317-0046. Ask G.P.O. for current price