Stay Safe During a Hurricane

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

If you're in a hurricane and there are flood waters, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN! Six inches of water can knock you down!

Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage because of wind damage, storm surge, and flooding. They can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.

Stay Informed

• Pay attention to emergency alerts and information.
• If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Dealing with the Weather

• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
• Stay off bridges that go over fast-moving water.
• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic as you may become trapped by rising floodwater.
• Do not swim, walk, or drive through floodwaters. Turn-Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Personal Safety

• If you must go to a community or group shelter remember to follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and your family from COVID-19. Due to limited space, if you do not live in a mandatory evacuation zone, it is recommended that you shelter in place in your home.
• If you must evacuate, bring items to help protect yourself and others in the shelter from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, and masks.
• If you are sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If staying at a shelter or public facility, alert shelter staff immediately so they can call a local hospital or clinic.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.

https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes