Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
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- Identify ahead of
time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places as well as a road
map of your locality. Choose several places - a friend's home in another town, a motel,
or a shelter.
- Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well
as a road map of your
locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar
routes if major roads are
closed or clogged.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio
or TV stations for evaluation instructions. If
advised to evacuate, do so immediately!
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Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit |
Include the following items in your kit:
- First aid kit and essential medications
See Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
- Canned food and can opener
- At least three gallons of water per person
- Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping
bags
- Battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
- Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family
members
- Written instructions for how to turn off gas & water (if
authorities advise you to do so). You will need a
professional to turn them back on.
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Prepare for high winds |
- Install hurricane shutters or precut 3/4" plywood for
each window of your home
- Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or
damaged limbs, then
strategically remove branches so the wind can blow through.
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What to do when a hurricane WATCH is issued
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- Listen to a radio or TV station for local up-to-date
storm information
- Bring inside any lawn furniture, trash cans, hanging
plants, or anything else that can
blow away
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What to do when a hurricane WARNING is issued
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- Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if
they tell you to do so
- Complete preparation activities
- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away
from windows.
- The calm "eye" is deceptive, the storm is not over.
The worst part of the storm will
happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the
opposite direction.
- Be alert for tornadoes
- Stay away from flood waters. If waters are rising
rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
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For more information regarding hurricane safety, please
come to our office and we will be
glad to help you.
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And remember, when a hurricane, fire, flood, or other
emergency happens, you can count on the American Red Cross, Milford Chapter
to be there to help you and your family. |