Prepping for Hurricanes during the Month of May

Hurricane Preparedness Week fell during the first full week of May (May 7-13, 2017), but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to discuss and prepare for hurricane season. As the National Weather Service says, it only takes one storm to change your life and community.

Hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, can be some of nature’s most dangerous and destructive types of storms that we can face, especially if you live in an area prone to these type of storms which are usually near coastlines. But even areas that aren’t near coastlines can suffer from destructive flooding, high winds, and hurricanes that turn into tornadoes.

Follow these steps to first determine if you fall in danger of a hurricane area and if so, what steps you should take to make sure you are prepared.

What is Your Risk?

Determine what type of storms and water hazards occur in your area and start prepping on how to handle them. Check out this link to see the tracking of where hurricanes have historically gone in the past: https://coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes/.

Develop an Evacuation Plan

If you live in an evacuation zone, plan your route out and figure out what you will do with your pets as well if you have any. Always follow evacuation orders from officials and leave immediately because storms move faster than you realize.

Create a Disaster Kit

You never know if you will need supplies so always have a disaster kit put together for emergencies like this. Items such as non-perishable foods, water, medicines, battery-powered radios, and flashlights are just some of the most important items you want to make sure you have. For more items that you would want in a disaster kit, check out this link: http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=84.

For more information on hurricane season and how you can be prepared, please visit the National Weather Service Hurricane Safety Tips and Resource Page at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml. And remember, if you find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 for help or assistance.

Check out the video below to see how to get ready for a hurricane!