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Hurricane Preparedness
To Do List
- Know your evacuation zone
- Make appropriate arrangements
- Notify out-of-state contacts about your plans
- Make arrangements for ill family members
- Make arrangements for pets
- Safeguard home with window coverings and other protection
- Copy/move valuable papers in waterproof bags
- Turn off water, gas, and electricity at main switches
- Identify a safe room with no windows: hall, stairwell, bathroom, closet
- Secure boats
Supply List
Have the following supplies readily available:
Have the following supplies readily available:
- Baby food/formula
- Batteries
- Battery operated TV, radio
- Books, magazines, toys
- Camera/film
- Cash
- Cell phone
- Clock
- Coffee, tea, powdered drinks
- Diaper/wipes
- Disinfectant
- Disposable plates, glasses, utensils
- Dried fruit, nuts, cereal, crackers, cookies
- Drinking water (at least 7 gallons per person)
- Duct/masking tape
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Fuel for generators and cars
- Ice chest/ice
- Insect repellent/sunscreen
- Lumber
- Manual can opener
- Nails/rope
- Non-perishable foods, canned meats, canned fruit
- Outdoor extension cord
- Packaged ketchup, mustard, condiments
- Peanut butter/jelly
- Pet food/medicine
- Plastic garbage bags
- Plastic sheet/tarp
- Prescription medicine
- Pudding/snacks, dried foods, powdered milk
- Rain gear
- Soap/detergent
- Sterno/propane gas charcoal/lighter fluid
- Toilet paper
- Tools/work gloves
- Unscented bleach, tincture of iodine or water purification tablets
- Waterproof matches/butane lighter
Shelters
Emergency Shelters are assigned by York County at the appropriate time. Stay tuned to local media outlets.
If going to a shelter, bring the following:
Emergency Shelters are assigned by York County at the appropriate time. Stay tuned to local media outlets.
If going to a shelter, bring the following:
- Blankets
- Food and water
- Prescription medicines
- Small toys, games, and books for children
- Pets, alcohol, and firearms are not allowed in shelters
Evacuation
In case of Evacuation:
In case of Evacuation:
- Check with City Emergency Offices to identify evacuation routes.
- Plan on leaving as soon as possible
- If driving out, be advised that hurricanes can change direction. Keep tuned to the radio.
- Identify a meeting place for all family members to check-in.
- Please note that pets, alcohol, and firearms are not allowed in shelters.
During the Storm
Remain calm:
Remain calm:
- Continue to monitor weather coverage and updates.
- Go indoors and stay indoors until the storm has passed. Make sure that the storm has actually passed and that you are not in the eye of the storm.
- Turn off circuit breakers before the power goes. Leave one circuit breaker on with a lamp so you know when power has resumed.
- Do not use candles or kerosene lamps during the storm.
- Stay in your safe room even if you hear breaking glass. do not expose yourself to the hurricane winds.
- Place animals in carriers.
- If your house starts to break apart, cover yourself with a mattress. If your safe room is a bathroom with a bathtub, get in the tub under a mattress.
- Use the phone for urgent calls only. Don't use the phone if you hear thunder.
- If you're in a very tall building avoid the top floors as wend speeds are stronger the higher you go. Go to a safe room.
- Use extreme caution.
After the Storm
- If your house is damaged, get out until it is inspected by officials.
- Find the fire extinguisher before turning on the power.
- Stay away from all downed lines and nearby water puddles.
- Report downed or sparking power lines and nearby puddles.
- Do not drive near power lines.
- Avoid driving because of debris and road blockage.
- Call your out-of-town emergency contact and communicate that you're alright.
- Do not drink the tap water until officials have announced that it is safe to do so.
- If filing a claim, notify your insurance agent as soon as possible of an address and phone number to reach you.
- Take photos of damaged areas and possessions.
- Cut fallen trees into pieces 4 feet or less.
- Place garbage in tied heavy plastic bags and limit weight to 50 pounds.
Water Sterilization
- Boil for 3-5 minutes or;
- Add 12 drops of 2% tincture of iodine per gallon or;
- Add 8 drops of household bleach per gallon or;
- Use water purification tablets.