Are You Ready for a Hurricane?
Here's what you can do to prepare yourself and your family

Prepare a Home Evacuation Plan

  • Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places...a friend's home in another town, a motel, a shelter.

  • Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map. You may need to take alternate or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
  • Listen to local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. Act quickly!

Prepare for a hurricane

  • Assemble a Hurricane Safety Kit containing:

    • First aid kit and essential medications
    • Fire extinguisher
    • Canned food and can opener
    • Bottled water
    • Protective clothing, rainwear, and blankets
    • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  • Also include in the kit written instructions for how to turn off your home's utilities.
  • Have on hand plywood, nails, and other materials needed to board up windows and protect your home.

What you need to know about hurricanes

  • A hurricane WATCH means a hurricane may hit your area.

  • A hurricane WARNING means a hurricane is headed for your area. You may be told to go to a shelter or evacuate the area; do so immediately.
  • The eye of a hurricane is the calm center of the storm. The worst parts of a hurricane come just before and after the eye has passed over your area.

When a hurricane is approaching...

  • Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.

  • Bring in garbage cans, lawn furniture, bicycles...anything that could fly around and cause damage or blow away.
  • Fill your car's gas tank and prepare to evacuate if told to do so.
  • If you are told, evacuate as soon as possible.
  • If you are not advised to evacuate, prepare to stay inside, away from windows.

After the hurricane is over...

  • Listen to the radio for instructions.

  • Stay away from downed power lines.
  • Inspect your home for damage.



Return to Main Page

Newberry County Department of Public Safety||