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HURRICANES

 

Hurricane season starts on June 1 in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. It ends on November 30. Before hurricane season each year, make sure you and your family are prepared by planning ahead.

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• Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house. Program them into your cell phone too.

• Prepare an emergency supply kit.

• Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them in the event of a stormexternal icon.

• Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

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Gather emergency supplies

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During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.

That’s why it’s best to be prepared—stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to prepare the following:

• An emergency food and water supply.

• An emergency medicine supply.

• Emergency power sources such as flashlights (don’t forget extra batteries).

• Safety and personal items.

• Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification.

• A fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it!

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Listen for National Weather Service alerts on TV or radio or check for them online. There are two kinds of alerts:

Know the difference between "Watch" and "Warning"

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• A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] or higher) are possible in a stated area. Experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) to start.

• A hurricane warning is more serious. It means hurricane-force winds are expected in a stated area. Experts issue these warnings 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected in the area to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.

For more information about hurricane watches and warnings, check out the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Centerexternal icon. If you hear that there is a hurricane watch or warning in your area, you can take steps to get ready.

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Get your car ready

Make sure your car is ready before the storm hits.

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• Fill your car’s gas tank.

• Move cars and trucks into your garage or under cover.

• Always keep an emergency kit in your car.

• Visit Ready.govexternal icon for information on how to prepare your car and what to include in your kit.

If you don’t own a car, consider making plans with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate.

Get your family and pets ready.

• Go over your emergency plan with your family.

• Keep checking for updates about the storm. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check online.

• Call the hospital, public health department, or the police about special needs. If you or a loved one is older or disabled and won’t be able to leave quickly, get advice on what to do.

• Put pets and farm animals in a safe place. Read more about pet safety during an emergency.

Get your home ready.

• Clear your yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.

• Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.

• Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.

• Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You’ll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.

• Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery to prevent CO poisoning

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Be ready to evacuate or stay at home

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Always listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.

If a hurricane is coming, you may hear an order from authorities to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built houses may not hold up against a hurricane. Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your health and safety.

You may hear an order to stay at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.

If you need to evacuate:

• Grab your emergency supply kit and only take what you really need with you (cell phone, chargers, medicines, identification like a passport or license, and cash).

• Unplug your appliances. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.

• Follow the roads that emergency workers recommend even if there’s traffic. Other routes might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas—cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.

• Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets. Learn more about evacuating with your pet.

If you need to stay home:

• Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.

• Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.

• Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.

• Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. Stay in a room with no windows, or go inside a closet.

• Be ready to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

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FLOODING

BEFORE A FLOOD (WHEN FLOODING IS FORECAST)

 

Be alert.

• Monitor your surroundings.

• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.

If a flash flood warning is issued for your area: Climb to safety immediately.

• Flash floods develop quickly. Do not wait until you see rising water.

• Get out of low areas subject to flooding.

• If driving, do not drive through flooded roadways!

Assemble disaster supplies:

• Drinking water – Fill clean containers.

• Food that requires no refrigeration or cooking.

• Cash.

• Medications and first aid supplies.

• Clothing, toiletries.

• Battery-powered radio.

• Flashlights.

• Extra batteries.

• Important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers.

Be prepared to evacuate.

• Identify places to go.

• Identify alternative travel routes that are not prone to flooding.

• Plan what to do with your pets.

• Fill your car’s gas tank.

• If told to leave, do so quickly.

Review your Family Disaster Plan.

• Discuss flood plans with your family.

• Decide where you will meet if separated.

• Designate a contact person who can be reached if family members get separated. Make sure every family member has the contact information.

Protect your property.

• Move valuables and furniture to higher levels.

• Move hazardous materials (such as paint, oil, pesticides, and cleaning supplies) to higher locations.

• Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch them if you are wet or standing in water.

• Bring outside possessions indoors or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, and other movable objects.

• Seal vents to basements to prevent flooding.

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During A Flood

Be alert.

• Monitor your surroundings.

• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.

Don’t drive unless you have to.
If you must drive, travel with care.

• Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel.

• Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.

• Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue or other emergency operations and put you at further risk.

• Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.

• Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

• If the vehicle stalls, abandon it.

• If water rises around your car, leave the vehicle immediately. Climb to higher ground as quickly as possible.

NEVER drive through flooded roadways. STOP! Turn Around Don’t Drown.

• The roadbed may be washed out.

• You can lose control of your vehicle in only a few inches of water.

• Your car may float. Vehicles can be swept away by less than 2 feet of water.

• Do not drive around a barricade. Turn around and go another way!

Get to high ground – Climb to safety!

• Get out of low areas that may be subject to flooding.

• Avoid already-flooded areas and do not attempt to cross flowing water.

• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.

Evacuate immediately, if you think you are at risk or are advised to do so!

• Act quickly. Save yourself, not your belongings.

• Move to a safe area before access is cut off by rising water.

• Families should use only one vehicle to avoid getting separated and reduce traffic jams.

• Shut off water, gas, and electrical services before leaving.

• Secure your home: lock all doors and windows.

• If directed to a specific location, go there.

Never try to walk or swim through flowing water.

• If flowing water is above your ankles, STOP! Turn around and go another way.

• If it is moving swiftly, water 6 inches deep can knock you off your feet.

• Be aware that people have been swept away wading through flood waters.

• NEVER allow children to play around high water, storm drains, creeks, or rivers.

Shut off the electricity at the circuit breakers.
If someone falls in or is trapped in flood water:

• Do not go after the victim!

• Use a floatation device. If possible throw the victim something to help them float, such as a spare tire, large ball, or foam ice chest.

• Call 911. Call for assistance and give the correct location information.

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After A Flood

Wait until it is safe to return

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• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local television and radio stations.

• Do not return to flooded areas until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.

• Do not visit disaster areas following a flood. Your presence may hamper urgent emergency response and rescue operations.

Travel with care.

• Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.

• Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.

• Stay away from downed power lines.

If a building was flooded, check for safety before entering.

• Do not enter a building if it is still flooded or surrounded by floodwater.

• Check for structural damage. Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.

• Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter tank.

• Do not enter a building that has flooded until local building officials have inspected it for safety.

Use extreme caution when entering buildings.

• Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.

• Use ONLY battery-powered lighting. Flammable material may be present.

• Look for fire hazards (such as damaged gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces).

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. If possible turn off the gas at the outside main valve. Call the gas company.

• Report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.

• Check for electrical system damage (sparks, broken or frayed wires, or the smell of burning insulation). Turn off the electricity at the main circuit breaker if you can reach it without stepping in water.

• Examine walls, floors, doors, windows, and ceilings for risk of collapsing.

• Watch out for animals that might have entered with the floodwaters.

• Let the building air out to remove foul odors or escaping gas.

Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.

Get professional help.

• Seek necessary medical care. Do not neglect minor wounds or illnesses.

• Food, clothing, shelter, and first aid are available from the American Red Cross.

• If the gas has been turned off for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

• Have an electrician check the electrical system and appliances.

• Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking.

Your home is no longer a safe place.

• Throw away medicine, food, or water that had contact with floodwaters (including canned goods).

• If water is of questionable purity, boil drinking water for 10 minutes.

• Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.

• Keep windows and doors open for ventilation.

• Pump out flooded basements gradually (removing about 1/3 of the water volume each day) to avoid structural damage.

• Keep the power off until an electrician has inspected the system for safety. All electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.

• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.

• Service damaged sewage systems as soon as possible.

When making repairs, protect your property from future flood damage.

• Follow local building codes.

• Use flood-resistant materials and techniques.

• Elevate electrical components above the potential flood height.

• Elevate utilities (washer, dryer, furnace, and water heater) above the level of anticipated flooding.

• Consider elevation of the entire structure.

• Install a backflow valve in the sewer system.

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Extreme Heat

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Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. In fact, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Remember:

• Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning.

• Older adults, children and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat.

• Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index.

IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

• Find air conditioning.

• Avoid strenuous activities.

• Wear light clothing.

• Check on family members and neighbors.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

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How to Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

Prepare NOW

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Find places in your community where you can go to get cool while following the latest guidelines from CDC about social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Try to keep your home cool:

• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.  

• Cover windows with drapes or shades.

• Weather-strip doors and windows.

• Use window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside.

• Add insulation to keep the heat out.

• Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing hot air.

• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.

• Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

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Be Safe During

Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day. Exposing yourself to the sun or to high temps does not protect you from coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Sign up for email updates and follow the latest guidelines about coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can be a cool place to beat the heat. Stay informed and check with local authorities about possible closures prior to going to cooling centers. Once there, follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Some steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19 include:

• Wash your hands often, keep a physical distance of at least six feet between you and people who are not part of your household, and avoid crowds and large groups.

• Wear a face cloth covering. Children under 2 years old, people who have trouble breathing, and people who are unable to remove masks on their own should not wear face coverings.

• If you are wearing a mask and feel yourself overheating or having trouble breathing, put at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and remove the mask.

• If you can, wash your reusable mask regularly.

• If air conditioning is not available in your home:

• Contact Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.

• Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.

• Spend some time at a shopping mall or public library- even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.

  • Keep at least six feet of space between you and individuals who are not a part of your immediate household.

  • Your community may set up emergency alternatives for cooling centers, such as using parked air-conditioned buses or movie theaters, as normal cooling centers may not have enough space for physical distancing. Pay attention to guidance from local officials to determine where the nearest cooling center is.

  • Wear masks when in public spaces. Masks should not be worn by children under 2 years old, people who have trouble breathing, and people who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove them.

  • Try to bring items that can help protect you and others in the cooling center from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and cleaning materials.

  • Review the CDC’s guidelines for “Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

• Take cool showers or baths.

• Don’t rely solely on fans to keep you cool. While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness.

• Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face. Wear appropriate cloth masks and keep a physical distance of at least six feet while you’re outside. Don’t wear a masks if you have trouble breathing or if you are unable to remove it on your own. Children under the age of 2 shouldn’t wear face coverings. If you can, wash your reusable mask regularly.

• During extreme heat events, use a cloth mask that has breathable fabric, such as cotton, instead of polyester. Keep in mind that masks with filters, which are used when cleaning mold or debris, are often made with synthetic materials, which makes it harder to breathe.

• Ensure that your mask covers your mouth and nose and is somewhat snug on your face, even when it is hot. Make sure that it is not too tight. You should not have trouble breathing while wearing the mask. If it is too tight, loosen it so that if fits snuggly without slipping.

• Be sure to have several clean masks to use in case your mask becomes wet or damp from sweat during an extreme heat event. Cloth masks should not be worn when they become damp or wet. Be sure to wash your cloth masks regularly.

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor what would be best. There is no evidence showing that you can get COVID-19 through drinking water or touching water. Conventional water treatment methods, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, use filtration and disinfection methods that should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • Keep in mind that not everyone can afford to stock up on supplies, such as sports drinks, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable foods. If you can, slowly buy supplies in advance so that you don’t have to go to the store as often. Shopping less often helps to slow the spread of COVID-19. By social distancing and only shopping when you must, you can protect those who are unable to buy supplies in advance and must shop more frequently.

    • Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and to address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals.

    • Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, making essential purchases and slowly building up supplies in advance will allow for longer time periods between shopping trips. This helps to protect those who are unable to procure essentials in advance of the pandemic and must shop more frequently. In addition, consider avoiding WIC-labeled products so that those who rely on these products can access them.

• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. You could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.

• Avoid high-energy activities outdoors. Avoid working outdoors during the midday heat, if possible.

• Check yourself, family members, and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness and COVID-19. Maintain social distancing between yourself and persons not part of your household.

• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls. Know that it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed. Take care of your body and talk to someone if you are feeling upset. Many people may already feel fear and anxiety about the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The threat of an avalanche can add additional stress. Follow CDC guidance for managing stress during a traumatic event and managing stress during COVID-19.

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Recognize and Respond

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Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and COVID-19 and ways to respond. At-risk populations for both heat-related illness and COVID-19 include older individuals and those with underlying health conditions. Know how to protect individuals especially at risk from both extreme heat events and COVID-19.

If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for advice and shelter in place, if you can. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and let the operator know if you have, or think you might have, COVID-19. If you can, put on a mask before help arrives. If you are at a shelter or public facility, alert shelter staff right away so they can call a local hospital or clinic.

HEAT CRAMPS

• Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms or legs

• Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. If you are sick and need medical attention, call your healthcare provider first. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about whether you should go to the hospital or cooler location yourself, as you may be putting others or yourself in greater risk for contracting COVID-19. If cramps last more than an hour, seek medical attention. If possible, put on a mask before medical help arrives.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting

• Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

HEAT STROKE

• Signs:

  • Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally

  • Red, hot and dry skin with no sweat

  • Rapid, strong pulse

  • Dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness

• Actions: Call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.

COVID-19

• Signs: A combination of cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and sudden loss of taste or smell

• Actions: For severe symptoms, call 9-1-1 and let them know you think you may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to COVID-19. If you can, put on a mask before medical help arrives. If you’re experiencing milder symptoms, consult your medical provider.

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