Hurricane survival tips
You can't stop a hurricane from hitting, but you can take action to help prepare yourself and your family to get through the storm safely.
Do you know how to stay safe during a hurricane?
Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, but your hurricane prep should begin before then. One important step is creating a hurricane evacuation plan for you and your family. Knowing what to do before the hurricane hits can help you survive a storm safely.
Where should you go during a hurricane?
- Be knowledgeable about designated hurricane evacuation routes in your community.
- If authorities order an evacuation, always follow the instructions.
- Stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors. Go to a windowless room on the lowest level that isn't likely to flood.
- Avoid closed attics, since you might get trapped by rising waters.
- Don't walk through flood waters, as 6 inches of flood-moving water can knock you off your feet.
- Don't attempt to drive through flooded streets or roads, as cars can be swept away by one foot of moving water.
- Create an in-home storm shelter.
What should you do during a hurricane?
- Fill bathtubs and buckets with water in case your water service is interrupted.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings in case you lose power or need to turn the electricity off.
- Stay inside until local authorities tell you the storm has passed.
- Avoid taking a bath or a shower during the storm and watch out for lightning.
- Use a portable radio to stay informed of important storm updates.
- Having a hurricane survival kit on hand will provide essentials you need if you are without assistance for several days.
- Make sure to account for the needs of your pets when you prepare your survival kit.
Is the eye of a hurricane safe?
- If the eye of the storm passes over your area, there will be a short period of calm, but don't be lulled into a false sense of safety.
- On the other side of the eye, the wind will come from the opposite direction with rapidly increasing speed resulting in hurricane-force winds.
Hurricanes can cause major damage. So it's important to know safety precautions after a storm, how to repair and recover after the storm and how to clean up after a hurricane. And, remember one of the most important ways to plan for a hurricane is making sure your insurance coverage is up to date.
