Hurricane Safety
You'll always want to practice safety measures before, during and especially after a major storm. Please follow these safety guidelines and remember if you are having an emergency situation, always call 9-1-1.
Watch local newscasts to follow the track of the storm and give yourself plenty of time to be ready.
Pre-Storm Prep
If you are trimming trees, make sure you are nowhere near power lines. Power lines can kill.
If you are using a ladder to prep windows outside, have a second person help, if possible, to make sure the ladder is secure.
Avoid Heat Exhaustion and dehydration by taking breaks and drinking plenty of water.
During the Storm
Stay inside! Keep yourself, children and pets indoors during the storm. Strong winds can and will send debris flying.
If the power goes out, do not panic. Use your flashlights to see around in the dark and continue to monitor storm situations on your phone.
If you have evacuated your home and are in a shelter or another residence/hotel, do not leave in the middle of the storm to check on your home. Wait until the roadways are cleared and safe to travel on.
If water is rising inside of your home, head to the highest level of the house that you can and call 9-1-1.
Should you lose power, unplug appliances and electronics. Should the power come back on, a power surge could ruin electronics.
After the storm
Wear sturdy shoes/boots going outside. There could be varying degrees of dangerous debris in and around your yard.
Wear heavy gloves for clean up.
If you see a downed line, DO NOT TOUCH. The power line could be live. Do not move a line, do not go near a line. Call 9-1-1 to report it.
If you are in a vehicle and there is water in the road, turn around, don't drown. The depth of water can be deceptive. If you are driving or walking into a known flood area, currents can sweep you away and become deadly. Even six inches of fast-moving water can pull a person down if they are wading in it. Cars can be pulled into rivers and streams.
If you are using a generator, keep it at least 20 feet from the house. Do not put it in a closed garage, near open windows or open doors. Generators emit carbon monoxide which can be deadly if fumes are inhaled. Carbon Monoxide poisoning leads the list as people use generators to power homes. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headaches, dizziness and vomiting. Call 9-1-1 right away if you suspect the gas has come into your home.
Stay off the road at night. Drivers cannot see downed trees or power poles until it is too late.