https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/disasters\/hurricanes\/before.html<\/p>\n
It is that time of year again. Hurricane season if fast approaching. Are you prepared? The CDC gives insight on how to be prepared <\/p>\n
Make a Plan.
\nHurricane season starts on May 15 in the north Pacific and 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.<\/p>\n
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.
\nPrepare an emergency supply kit.
\nLocate 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 storm external icon.
\nPet 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.
\nGather emergency supplies.
\nDuring 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.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to be prepared\u2014stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to prepare the following:<\/p>\n
An emergency food and water supply.
\nAn emergency medicine supply.
\nEmergency power sources such as flashlights (don\u2019t forget extra batteries).
\nSafety and personal items.
\nImportant documents, including medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification.
\nA fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it! Read the National Fire Protection Association\u2019s tips for using fire extinguishers external icon.
\nKnow the difference between a hurricane \u201cwatch\u201d and \u201cwarning.\u201d
\nListen for National Weather Service alerts on TV or radio or check for them online. There are two kinds of alerts:<\/p>\n
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.
\nA 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.
\nFor more information about hurricane watches and warnings, check out the National Weather Service\u2019s Hurricane Center external icon. If you hear that there is a hurricane watch or warning in your area, you can take steps to get ready.<\/p>\n
Get your car ready.
\nMake sure your car is ready before the storm hits.<\/p>\n
Fill your car\u2019s gas tank.
\nMove cars and trucks into your garage or under cover.
\nAlways keep an emergency kit in your car.
\nVisit Ready.gov external icon for information on how to prepare your car and what to include in your kit.
\nIf you don\u2019t own a car, consider making plans with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate.<\/p>\n
Get your family and pets ready.
\nGo over your emergency plan with your family.
\nKeep checking for updates about the storm. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check online.
\nCall the hospital, public health department, or the police about special needs. If you or a loved one is older or disabled and won\u2019t be able to leave quickly, get advice on what to do.
\nPut pets and farm animals in a safe place. Read more about pet safety during an emergency.
\nGet your home ready.
\nClear your yard. Make sure there\u2019s 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.
\nCover 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.
\nBe ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.
\nFill clean water containers with drinking water. You\u2019ll 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.
\nCheck your carbon monoxide (CO) detector\u2019s battery to prevent CO poisoning
\nBe ready to evacuate or stay at home.
\nAlways listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
You may hear an order to stay at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.<\/p>\n
If you need to evacuate:<\/p>\n
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).
\nUnplug your appliances. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
\nFollow the roads that emergency workers recommend even if there\u2019s traffic. Other routes might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas\u2014cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.
\nContact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets. Learn more about evacuating with your pet.
\nIf you need to stay home:<\/p>\n
Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.
\nListen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.
\nStay inside. Even if it looks calm, don\u2019t 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.
\nStay away from windows\u2014you 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.
\nBe 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\u2019s house.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"