Severe Weather Fayetteville, NC-Summer 2012 : Page 16

P R E PA R E F O R HUR R IC A NE S Hurricane season is here! Take precautions now. AT HOME • Have your NOAA Radio turned on throughout the storm. • Know your area. If you are living in a neighborhood that floods quickly, become familiar with routes you can take if you have to evacuate. • Familiarize your home’s location in terms of vulnerability to storm surge and wind. • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed. • Take in any toys or other outdoor items. • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. • Secure important documents. • Make sure all family members know how to turn off water, gas and electricity and dial 911. • If you are not advised to turn your utilities off, keep your refrigerator on the coldest setting and keep the door closed. (More information on food and water storage supplies can be found in chapter 10) • Turn off propane tanks. • Strengthen garage doors. Hurricane winds can enter through a damaged garage door, lift the roof, and destroy the home. • Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. IN AN APARTMENT/“HI-RISE” • Keep in mind winds are stronger at higher elevations. • Make sure all exits are clearly marked in the hallways. • Memorize where the stairs are in case the hall goes dark from loss of power. • Never take the elevator in an emergency situation, use the stairs. • If you have a balcony or terrace, secure all items on it. They can become airborne and damage your apartment or your neighbor’s. • Make sure your renter’s or condo’s insurance policy is up to date. IN A CAR • Keep your car filled with gas in case you have to leave suddenly. It’s advisable to leave before an official evacuation order is issued, to avoid traffic and road congestion. • Seek sturdy shelter immediately. A car is not a safe place to be when a hurricane strikes. IN A MOBILE HOME • Before a storm, check tie-downs for rust and breakage. Make sure they are as secure as possible. • Mobile homes can be destroyed or sustain serious damage even in a Category 1 Hurricane (Max winds 74 to 95 mph). This is particularly true for mobile homes constructed before 1994. When a hurricane threatens, it’s advisable to evacuate your mobile home. • If ordered to evacuate, take this seriously and leave immediately. 16 Photo ©iStockphoto.com/Tom Hahn

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season is here! Take precautions now. AT HOME • Have your NOAA Radio turned on throughout the storm. • Know your area. If you are living in a neighborhood that floods quickly, become familiar with routes you can take if you have to evacuate. • Familiarize your home’s location in terms of vulnerability to storm surge and wind. • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed. • Take in any toys or other outdoor items. • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. • Secure important documents. • Make sure all family members know how to turn off water, gas and electricity and dial 911. • If you are not advised to turn your utilities off, keep your refrigerator on the coldest setting and keep the door closed. (More information on food and water storage supplies can be found in chapter 10) • Turn off propane tanks. • Strengthen garage doors. Hurricane winds can enter through a damaged garage door, lift the roof, and destroy the home. • Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. IN AN APARTMENT/“HI-RISE” • Keep in mind winds are stronger at higher elevations. • Make sure all exits are clearly marked in the hallways. • Memorize where the stairs are in case the hall goes dark from loss of power. • Never take the elevator in an emergency situation, use the stairs. • If you have a balcony or terrace, secure all items on it. They can become airborne and damage your apartment or your neighbor’s. • Make sure your renter’s or condo’s insurance policy is up to date. IN A CAR • Keep your car filled with gas in case you have to leave suddenly. It’s advisable to leave before an official evacuation order is issued, to avoid traffic and road congestion. • Seek sturdy shelter immediately. A car is not a safe place to be when a hurricane strikes. IN A MOBILE HOME • Before a storm, check tie-downs for rust and breakage. Make sure they are as secure as possible. • Mobile homes can be destroyed or sustain serious damage even in a Category 1 Hurricane (Max winds 74 to 95 mph). This is particularly true for mobile homes constructed before 1994. When a hurricane threatens, it’s advisable to evacuate your mobile home. • If ordered to evacuate, take this seriously and leave immediately.

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