Texas Children's Hospital - Preparing for a hurricane

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Preparing for a hurricane

If you are under a hurricane watch or warning, here are some basic steps to take to prepare for the storm:

Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters.
Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it.
Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc.
Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly or bedridden people, or anyone with a disability.
Make plans to ensure the safety of pets.

Emergency supplies

You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period. These supplies include:

Several clean containers for water, large enough for a three-to-five day supply of water. You will need a gallon of water per day for each person.
A three-to-five-day supply of non-perishable food.
A first-aid kit and manual.
A battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries.
Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, household chlorine bleach.
Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
Baby food and prepared formula, diapers and other baby supplies.
Disposable cleaning cloths, such as baby wipes, for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins and alcohol-based hand sanitizer in the event there is no clean, running water.
At least a five-day supply of prescription medication.
Mosquito repellent.
An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and sleeping bags.

Resources

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control