During the Storm
• Stay indoors until the storm has officially passed
your area. Be careful, it might appear the storm is
over, but it may be the eye of the hurricane. In the
eye, the wind will die down and it may seem calm,
however, the weather will deteriorate quickly. The
calm may only last 10-20 minutes.
• Continue to watch News Channel 8 for further
weather coverage and updates. If the power
goes out, listen to our radio partners on a
battery-operated radio.
• Turn off circuit breakers before the power goes
out. Leave one circuit breaker on with a lamp
turned on so you will know when the power is
restored.
• Do not use candles or kerosene lamps during
the storm.
• Stay in your safe-room even if you hear breaking
glass. Do not expose yourself to the hurricane’s
winds.
• Place animals in carriers.
• If your house starts to break apart, cover yourself
with a mattress and pillows. If your safe-room is
a bathroom with a bathtub, get in the tub under a
mattress.
• Use the phone for urgent calls only. Don’t use the
phone if you hear thunder.
• If you are in a very tall building, avoid the top
floors as wind speeds are stronger the higher you
go. Go to a safe-room.
After the Storm
Use extreme caution. There may be dangerous situations
all around you.
• If your house is damaged, move carefully to get
out. Do not return until inspected by officials.
• Find the fire extinguisher before turning on the
power.
• Stay away from all downed power lines and nearby
water puddles.
• Report downed or sparking power lines and
broken gas or water mains.
• Always supervise children.
• Piling debris near power poles may hinder repairs.
• Avoid driving because of debris and road
blockage.
• Call your out-of-town emergency contact and
communicate that you are alright.
Food and Water Safety
• If power goes out, avoid opening refrigerators
and freezers to keep items from spoiling and/or
thawing.
• Food in a refrigerator is safe if power is out for
only a few hours.
• If the temperature inside exceeds 40°F for more
than two (2) hours, perishable foods are unsafe to
eat. (Get a small thermometer to keep inside your
refrigerator.)
• If there are ice crystals on freezer items, the food
can safely be refrozen.
• If you’re unsure whether an item has spoiled,
throw it away.
• Do not drink tap water until officials have
announced it is safe.
• Commercially bottled water is good indefinitely,
regardless of expiration date.
• Water you’ve bottled yourself will only be good for
about a week at room temperature (two weeks in
the refrigerator).
To sterilize water:
1. Boil for 3-5 minutes, or
2. Add 12 drops of a 2 1/2 tincture of iodine per
gallon, or
3. Add 8 drops unscented household bleach
(with Hypochlorite as the only active ingredient)
per gallon, or
4. Use water purification tablets.
Generator Safety
• Never run a generator indoors OR in your garage.
Always run your generator in a well ventilated area
away from your home.
• Do not connect your generator directly to your
home’s wiring.
• Always use heavy-duty, indoor/outdoor rated
extension cords to connect to the generator.
• Do not attempt to refuel your generator while
it is running. Turn off all electrical appliances
connected to the generator, then turn off the
generator. Let the generator cool down before you
attempt to refuel it.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines
listed in your owner’s manual for correct operating
procedures and power output capabilities. Don’t
try to run more appliances than your generator can
handle.
