Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

 

What to Do: Before

Make Plans to Stay Safe — Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding. Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately

  • You may have to leave your home quickly and go to a safe place.

  • Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.

  • Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.

  • Mobile, manufactured, trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) are not safe in high-wind events. Plan ahead by preparing to evacuate to a safe location. Make Plans to Stay Safe

Plan to shelter safely

  • Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone & internet for a long time.

  • Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small room with no windows on the lowest level of a sturdy building that is not likely to flood.

  • Be aware that flooding can happen quickly. Have a plan to evacuate fast before floodwaters reach you.

  • Create a personal support team of people you may assist and who can assist you.

Plan to stay connected

  • Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.

  • Plan to monitor local weather & news.

  • Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.

  • Have a battery-powered radio during a power outage.

  • Understand the types of alerts that you may receive and have a plan to respond when you receive them.

— A WATCH means Be Prepared!
— A WARNING means Take Action!

Learn emergency skills

  • Learn First Aid and CPR.

  • Be ready to live without power. Utilities may be offline.

    • Be ready to live without power, gas & water. Plan for your electrical needs, including cell phones & medical equipment.

    • Talk to your doctor.

    • Plan for backup power.

Gather emergency supplies

Gather food, water & medicine. Stores & pharmacies might be closed. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit & Stay-at-Home Kit.

  • Go-Kit: at least 3 days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries & chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)

  • Stay-at-Home Kit: at least 2 weeks of supplies.

  • Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container & medical supplies or equipment.

  • Keep personal, financial & medical records safe and easy to access (hard copies or securely backed up). Consider keeping a list of your medications & dosages on a small card to carry with you.

Protect Your Home

WIND

  • Secure/bring inside outdoor items, (ex. lawn furniture & trash cans), that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone

  • Anchor objects that are unsafe to bring inside (ex. gas grills & propane tanks)

  • Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home

  • Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or sheeting

FLOOD

  • Clean out drains, gutters & downspouts.

  • Stockpile protective materials (ex. plastic sheeting & sandbags)

  • Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup

  • Consider elevating the heating system, water heater & electric panel

Review insurance policies with your agency.

 

What to Do: During

If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away

  • Bring your Go-Kit.

  • Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.

  • Check with local officials for shelter locations. Download the Red Cross Emergency App to find shelters near you.

Determine your best protection for high winds & flooding

  • Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds

  • Stay away from glass windows & doors

  • Move to higher ground before flooding begins

Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Remember, Turn Around! Don’t Drown!

 

What to Do: After

Stay Safe

  • Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.

  • Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles & downed wires. They can electrocute you.

  • Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria & chemicals that can make you sick.

  • If power is out, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns to reduce fire risk.

  • Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning

    • Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent or camper–or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast.

  • If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.

Cleanup Safely

  • Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles & boots

  • Clean & disinfect everything that got wet

  • When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner

  • Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment (ex. chainsaws)

  • Heart attacks are a leading cause of death after a hurricane. Be mindful of overworking.

  • Cleaning up is a big job. Take breaks & take care of yourself.

Take Care of Yourself

  • It’s normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress or anxiety.

  • Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.

  • You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.


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Locals Guide to St. Pete + Tampa Bay