Hurricane Checklist for Families

Saturday , August 18, 2007    Posted: 02:40 PM

(Provided by the Office of Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz; compiled from various sources)

Hurricanes are powerful storms that can do massive damage to coastal communities. Following is a suggested hurricane checklist for South Texans.

Before a Hurricane:

• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8" marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine how and where to secure a boat/any vehicles you will be leaving.
• Fill up your car/s with gas
• Stock up on batteries for portable radios and other devices
• Make plans for your pets if you evacuate (food, water, liter, leash, etc); be sure your pet has an ID tag with info including your name/address/phone number
• Locate water, gas and electric shutoffs
• Go over your emergency plan with your family
• Tell everyone in the household where emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for each member of the family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to call out of the area if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.
• Check your hurricane supply/preparation to-do list
• Get identification with contact info for family members (particularly for children) to wear (ID bracelet, etc.) so if families are separated, reunification will be faster
• Refill any prescriptions you need to refill (you should have a 2 week supply)
• Make sure battery operated radios, TVs, and flashlights are working/get new ones
• Get cash to get your family through the next week or two
• Make sure everybody knows where the fire extinguisher is in the home
• Have copies of the evacuation routes out of town/state maps in case you need to plot routes around traffic jams on major highways
• Drain any in-ground pools to prepare for flooding; chlorinate to avoid contamination; disconnect electrical pumps
• Clear your yard of any lawn furniture or other objects that could fly off

IF YOU HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION, FIND A BUS OUT OF TOWN IMMEDIATELY, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE

When you should evacuate, (remember to top off fuel before leaving/consider carrying extra):

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions. (Be aware that massive evacuations will clog roads out of the county ... it may be smarter to leave 72 hours before a hurricane is predicted; officials generally make evacuations mandatory 48 hours in advance)
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure-such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well it is fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building-hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
• If you feel you are in danger.

Contact family members who live further away to let them know where you are heading and let them know when you arrive.

To take with you during evacuation:

• When you leave to evacuate, make sure all family members/pets have their ID on and have contact/medical information on them
• Medicines
• Important papers
• Money
• Contact information for insurance, doctors, banking, out of town family members (all family members should carry copies)
• Food and drinks, enough to sustain you/your family for a couple of days
• Birth certificates
• Immunization records for children and adults
• Driver's license or other photo ID
• Social Security cards
• Health insurance cards and policies
• Prescription medications and containers
• Any unfilled written prescriptions
• List of medications taken by family members
• Three- to five-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person per day)
• Three- to five-day supply of canned and other non-perishable foods
• Special foods for diabetics and others with special dietary needs
• Baby food, formula, diapers and other supplies for infants
• Fruits and vegetables
• Manual can opener
• Water-purifier, such as unscented chlorine bleach or iodine tables
• Soap, toothpaste, tissue and other personal hygiene supplies
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Disposable cleaning cloths or wipes
• First aid kit
• Extra eyeglasses, contacts and solutions
• Sleeping bags or blankets, sheets, pillows
• Portable radio/TV, cell phones, any other communications devices
• Flashlights
• Batteries for all battery replacement needs; power chargers for cell phones, other electronic devices

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your wind-safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

• If you do not evacuate, be sure that all members of your family have their name, date of birth, and contact information written on their clothing/or in some manner on their person so if the family is separated, reunifications will be faster.
• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors; hurricanes generally last 8-12 hours.
• Listen to the battery operated radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Put valuables and personal papers in waterproof containers
• Try to put all loose materials in drawers and chests
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator/freezer thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Have a safe room with lots of spare batteries, food, water, blankets, pillows and drinking water
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Moor your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
• Close all interior doors-secure and brace external doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
• Be aware that a storm surge can quickly overtake homes and fill them up, forcing residents into attics. Residents should take an axe should they need to punch out the attic ceiling to escape rising waters from below.

Following the storm:

• Locate the fire extinguisher before attempting to turn the power back on.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Do not dial 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency.
• Do not report individual power, water, gas or phone problems. Utility companies will restore service as quickly as possible.
• Do not drink tap water until you hear from officials that it is safe.
• Do not pile debris near power poles.
• If possible, call your out-of-town contact and tell them you're all right.
• Avoid driving; if you evacuated as instructed, wait for instructions to return (dates/routes, etc.) – authorities will need 24-48 hours to re-supply gas stations/stores and restaurants along the routes back.
• Use caution in approaching someone else's property; you could be mistaken for a looter.
• Photograph the damage to your property for insurance purposes.