- Enter
each hurricane season prepared. Every June through
November, recheck your supply of boards, tools,
batteries, nonperishable foods and the other
equipment you will need when a hurricane strikes.
- When
you hear the first tropical advisory, listen
for future messages; this will prepare you for
a hurricane emergency well in advance of the
issuance of watches and warnings.
- When
your area is covered by a hurricane watch, continue
normal activities, but stay tuned to radio or
television for all Weather Bureau advisories.
Remember: a hurricane watch means possible danger
within 24 hours; if the danger materializes,
a hurricane warning will be issued. Meanwhile,
keep alert. Ignore rumors.
- When
your area receives a hurricane warning:
- Plan
your time before the storm arrives and avoid
the last-minute hurry which might leave you
marooned or unprepared.
- Keep
calm until the emergency has ended.
- Moor
your boat securely before the storm arrives,
or evacuate it to a designated safe area. When
your boat is moored, leave it and don’t
return once the wind and waves are up.
- Board
up windows or protect them with storm shutters
or tape. Danger to small windows is mainly from
wind-driven debris. Larger windows may be broken
by wind pressure.
- Secure
outdoor objects that might be blown away or
uprooted. Garbage cans, garden tools, toys,
signs, porch furniture and a number of other
harmless items become missiles of destruction
in hurricane winds. Anchor them or store them
inside before the storm strikes. Provide a safe
place for your pets.
- Store
drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles
and cooking utensils; your town’s water
supply may be contaminated by flooding or damaged
by hurricane floods.
- Check
your battery-powered equipment. Your radio may
be your only link with the world outside the
hurricane, and emergency cooking facilities,
lights and flashlights will be essential if
utilities are interrupted.
- Keep
your car fueled. Service stations may be inoperable
for several days after the storm strikes, due
to flooding or interrupted electrical power.
|
Stay
at home if it is sturdy and on high ground. If
it is not, move to a designated shelter and stay
there until the storm is over.
| Remember
to allow yourself enough time if you need
to leave low-lying areas, for there is only
one evacuation route to safety. The South
Lafourche Roads may flood very rapidly due
to high tides and storm waves, and bridges
may be immobile due to power failure. |
Remain
indoors during the hurricane. Travel is extremely
dangerous when winds and tides are whipping through
your area.
Monitor
the storm’s position through Weather Bureau
advisories.
|
BEWARE
THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE
If the calm
storm center passes directly overhead, there
will be a lull in the wind lasting from
a few minutes to half an hour or more. Stay
in a safe place unless emergency repairs
are absolutely necessary But remember, at
the other side of the eye, the winds rise
very rapidly to hurricane force and come
from the opposite direction. |
When the hurricane has passed:
Seek necessary medical care at Red Cross disaster
stations or hospitals. Stay out of disaster areas.
Unless you are qualified to help, your presence
might hamper first-aid and rescue work.
| Remember
that hurricanes moving inland can cause severe
flooding. Unnecessary traffic on flooded streets
may raise the water level and pose a threat
to homes that would otherwise remain dry. |
Drive
carefully along debris-filled streets. Roads may
be undermined and may collapse under the weight
of a car.
Avoid loose or dangling wires and report them
immediately to your power company or the nearest
law enforcement officer.
Report broken sewer or water mains to the water
department.
Prevent fires. Lowered water pressure may make
fire-fighting
difficult.
Check refrigerated food for spoilage if power
has been off during the storm.
|
