Before A Storm
- Review your family plan or create one.
- Review your insurance coverage
- Clear loose and/or clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed of deadwood.
- Learn safe routes inland.
- Learn locations of official shelters.
- Store plywood cut to windows, check existing shutters or purchase hurricane shutters. Find out about retrofitting your home.
- Inventory Must-Have Supplies.
- Check manufactured home tie downs.
When a Hurricane Watch is Issued
- Check often for official bulletins on WCSC-TV or NOAA weather radio.
- Activate your family plan. Protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (i.e. securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.)
- Fill gas tank in car. Moor small craft or move to safe shelter.
- Secure lawn furniture and other loose material outdoors (or bring inside.)
- Board or shutter windows to prevent shattering.
- Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from their tracks.
When a Hurricane Warning is Issued
- Stay tuned to official bulletins on WCSC-TV or NOAA weather radio.
- Use your family plan. Determine the safest place to be.
If not evacuating:
- Know your safe room.
- Move valuables to upper floors. Bring in pets.
- Fill containers and/or bathtub with drinking water.
- Turn up refrigerator to maximum cold and don't open unless necessary.
- Use phone only for emergencies.
- Stay indoors on the downwind side of house away from windows.
If evacuating:
- Check with your city or county Office of Emergency Management or watch WCSC-TV to see if you need to evacuate. If you do, decide if your family can stay with friends or relatives outside evacuation zones who live in a hurricane-safe house.
- Leave early, in daylight if possible to avoid traffic and darkness.
- Shut off water and electricity at main stations.
- Lock up house.
- Drive carefully to nearest designated shelter using recommended evacuation routes.
Last Resort Evacuation
A shelter should be your last resort. Do not go until you hear from officials that the specific shelter has opened.
Be sure to bring:
- Pillows and blankets.
- Food, water and prescription medicines.
- Small toys, games and books for young children.
Note: Alcohol and firearms are not allowed.
