Hurricane Watch

A hurricane watch is an announcement for specific areas that a hurricane poses a possible threat to a coastal area generally within 36 hours. In the event that a hurricane watch is issued in your area:

• Prepare yourself to take action in the event a warning is issued by the National Weather Service
• Stay tuned to your radio or TV for official updates to stay informed of the storm's progress
• Fuel your car
• Check mobile home tie downs
• Tie down small craft or move to safe shelter
• Stock up on canned provisions
• Check for batteries for radio and flashlights
• Secure lawn furniture and other loose materials outdoors
• Tape, board or shutter windows to prevent shattering
• Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent lifting from tracks

If a hurricane threatens your area, it is ultimately your decision to stay or leave. However, in general, plan to leave if:

    * You live in a mobile home.
    * You live on the coastline or offshore islands.
    * You live on a river or a flood plain.

It may be safe to stay if you live on high ground in a sturdy home. If you have not evacuated and it is too late to do so, find a room, closet or alcove without windows on an upper floor for refuge until the storm officially passes. If not in a location susceptible to a coastal storm surge, go to an interior room on the lowest floor of the building to protect yourself from wind-related damage.

HURRICANE WARNING!

If no evacuation has been ordered:

• Stay near your television to get updates from The Weather Channel or your local TV or radio station.
• Make sure a battery-powered radio is nearby.
• Collect your Family Disaster Supplies Kit, blankets, and sleeping bags and keep them with you.
• Keep children and pets indoors.
• Call your family's emergency contact person to report your plans.
• Make sure you have cash and your car had a full tank of gas in case you must evacuate.
• High winds and local flooding are common. Beware.
• If you are not told to evacuate, stay put. The roads should be available for those who must evacuate.
• Never let a false sense of security lull you into passivity. If winds die down, it could be the eye passing overhead. This is the calm before the other half of the storm, which could whip up with a vengeance.
• Obey advisories promptly.

• For drinking, fill food-grade containers with water from your tap and place them in the refrigerator.
• For sanitary use, in case water supply becomes contaminated, thoroughly clean bathtub with bleach and fill with water.
• Place all valuables and records in a waterproof container and store on the highest floor of your home or the safest area.
• In a mobile home: Leave immediately and take shelter elsewhere.

Outside:

• Make sure all windows are protected with shutters or plywood.
• Store away lightweight objects that could become missiles in high winds.
• Anchor down objects that cannot be brought inside.

• Don't disregard an evacuation notice!
• Turn off water and electric utilities.
• Pack your Family Disaster Supplies Kit, extra blankets and sleeping bags.
• Lock windows and doors before leaving home.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
• If along the immediate coast and in danger of a serious storm surge, follow evacuation orders.