As we enter into hurricane season, it is important that we are all prepared and have a plan to be keep our homes, our families and ourselves safe. Planning for a hurricane in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic can be a little stressful. We have some tips that will help eliminate some of that stress and keep you safe. Check out our 4 Quick Tips to Prepare for a Hurricane during COVID-19.
1. Get Emergency Supplies
Get to the stores early to secure your essential items to avoid the rush. Stock your home and your car with supplies- but don’t hoard items to ensure they are available for others. Give yourself more time than usual to prepare your emergency food, water, and medicine supplies. Make sure you continue to social distance as you shop for your supplies.
2. Create an Emergency Plan
Each person, business, and family should have a plan in case disaster strikes. You may not have time to prepare before an incident.
Developing and practicing your emergency plan with your family keeps everyone on the same page.
3. Plan to Evacuate
You may be required to quickly evacuate your home, neighborhood, or the city. Have a plan ahead of time to make sure everyone in your family knows what to do, where to go, and how to get a hold of each other.
Never ignore an evacuation order. Pay attention to local guidance about updated plans for evacuations and shelters, including shelters for your pets.
When you check on neighbors and friends, be sure to follow social distancing recommendations (staying at least 6 feet from others) and other CDC recommendations to protect yourself and others. Remember to Protect older adults and be sure you understand their health and medical concerns.
Don’ forget to print or ensure you have easy access to important documents (e.g., emergency phone numbers, insurance information) before a hurricane strikes. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it.
Prepare a “go kit” with personal items you cannot do without during an emergency. Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, bar or liquid soap, disinfectant wipes, and two masks for each person. Masks should not be used by children under the age of 2.
4. Plan to Stay
Shelter-in-Place orders are issued when it is safer for you to be sheltered indoors than for you to evacuate. You may be required to shelter-in-place during severe weather. Designate a shelter-in-place room in your home. This should be an interior room with few doors and no windows (like a closet or bathroom).
In severe weather, you should:
Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest-floor possible
Get underneath a sturdy table or object and hold on.
If you or your children have a bicycle helmet, put that on your/their head.
Turn on a battery-powered radio and tune it to local radio, or the National Weather Service Radio Service (if equipped)
DO NOT open windows or doors ahead of sheltering
Stay safe & please visit https://www.weather.gov/hgx/ to stay alert of dangerous weather activity.
If you are unsure of which items to pack in case of an emergency, visit: https://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/hurricane-safety-checklists/
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