Hurricane Dorian is on the way to North Carolina and you need to be prepared. According to WRAL, North Carolina is going to get lots of wind and rain no matter what category Hurricane Dorian is. I have compiled some tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with September being when hurricanes are the most active. Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from a hurricane include powerful winds, storm surges, heavy rainfall, flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. Use these tips to help protect you, your family, and your home in the coming months.
I have complied information from Ready.gov, Duke Energy, and FEMA. Visit their site for more information.
Before
- Register for outage alerts from Duke Energy.
- Sign up for your community’s warning system.
- Have a plan to move yourself and your family – especially those with special needs – to an alternate location in case you have to evacuate or experience an extended power outage.
- Know your surroundings.
- Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected.
- Identify levees and dams in your area.
- Cover all your home’s windows with permanent storm shutters or board up the windows with 5/8″ marine plywood.
- Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure.
- Trim trees and shrubs around your home.
- Clear loose and clogged rain gutters.
- Reinforce garage doors.
- Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups.
- Homeowners that depend on well water should draw an emergency water supply.
- Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power.
- Bring all outdoor furniture, decorations, and garbage cans inside. For anything that cannot be brought inside, make sure it is tied down.
- Consider the need for specialty items such as prescription medication, baby food, additional warm clothing, and a safe heat source.
- Build an emergency kit like this one from Ready.gov:
- Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
During
- If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades.
- Continue to monitor the media for important information.
- If you experience a power outage, call Duke Energy’s toll-free, automated outage-reporting system at 800.419.6356.
- If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.
- Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
- If sheltering from high winds, go into a small, interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
- Turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. After the power is restored, wait five to 10 minutes before turning them back on to avoid damage.
- If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
After
- Stay away from downed or sagging power lines, and do not touch anything that is on or near a power line.
- Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen.
- Report all power line hazards to Duke Energy or your local emergency services department or agency.
- Listen to authorities for special instructions.
- Wear protective clothing during clean-up.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
- Avoid wading in floodwater if you can.
- Save phone calls for emergencies.
- Document any property damage for insurance purposes.
- Replenish your emergency kit.
- Have a licensed electrician disconnect your generator unless the generator has an automatic disconnection device.
Source: Ready.gov, Duke Energy, and FEMA