During a Hurricane Warning

Hurricane conditions are expected in the region within 24 hours. You should rush to complete all hurricane preparations.

Checklist

• Outside your home:
  • Begin attaching hurricane shutters or installing plywood over windows, sliding doors and double entry doors. Taping windows is NOT recommended. Though it may reduce flying glass taping will not keep the window from breaking.
  • Brace garage doors
  • Retrieve loose items from outside. Refer to your checklist. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside your home and wrap them securely with a waterproof covering.
  • When taking down the television antenna, unplug the set and make sure that the antenna doesn't come in contact with the power lines.
  • If you own a swimming pool:
    • Do not drain the pool.
    • Add extra chlorine to prevent contamination.
    • Turn off electricity to pool equipment. If the filter pump is exposed, wrap it securely with plastic.
  • Park your car in the garage or carport. If you have neither, park your car as close to your house as possible, so at least one side will be protected from flying debris.
• Inside your home :
  • Store all important documents and valuables in a 'safe place'.
  • Scrub bathtub, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils thoroughly and then sponge with bleach. Rinse and let dry completely. Fill jugs and bottles with water for drinking. Fill bath with water to be used for sanitary purposes.
  • Turn up the refrigerator to maximum cold and do not open unless necessary. Fill the freezer with extra water jugs or crumpled paper to keep it tightly packed. These steps can maintain food-preserving temperatures for up to two days without electricity.
  • Take pictures off walls and store them in a closet, preferably on a high shelf.
  • Put as many loose objects as possible in drawers for safe-keeping.
  • Close all windows. Tell someone outside your area where you will be during the hurricane if you are not at home.
• Pets:
  • Bring in outside pets.
  • Make sure all of your pets have name tags.
• Boats:
  • Do not move your boat if it will take you more than a few hours. You may be stranded aboard during the storm.
  • If your boat is on a trailer, move it into the garage. If the boat must remain out:
    • Lash the boat to the trailer
    • Place wooden blocks between the trailer frame and the axle inside each wheel.
    • Let half the air our of the trailer tires.
    • Fill boat one-third full of water to help hold it down.
    • Tie the boat to screw anchors secured in the ground.
    • Consider a location away from trees that could fall over during a storm.
    • Never remain aboard a boat during a storm!!

During a Hurricane

If the power goes out, use flashlights. Candles and kerosene lamps could cause a fire, and the fire department may not be able to get to you.

If the eye of the storm passes over your neighbourhood, stay inside. Storm conditions may lessen temporarily; do not be fooled by the calm outside. These (storm) conditions will return from the other direction with the same or greater force.

Use your telephone only for urgent calls, so lines can be used for emergencies.

Listen to battery-operated radio or television for updates from the authorities. Be aware that TV and radio stations may go off the air during the storm. If so, turn on your radio or TV periodically to see if power has been restored.

Stay indoors in your 'safe room.' This room should be away from all windows, skylights and outside doors.

Stay calm. Don't walk around.

If you are home, close the windows on the windward side & open the windows halfway on the leeward side.