Hurricane Preparedness Tips from Our Partners at American Red Cross

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over ocean water and often move toward land. Hurricanes bring high winds, heavy rain, storm surge (rise in water level), flooding and tornadoes. These storms are dangerous and can cause damage to places far inland. Prepare now so you can stay safe! From our partners at the American Red Cross, here’s some helpful tips.

Make plans to stay safe.
Determine your best protection from high winds and flooding. Have a plan to evacuate and a plan to shelter safely. Take time now to gather the supplies and knowledge you will need when the storm arrives.

Plan to Evacuate
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.

• Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay.
• Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or use public transportation.
• Mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.

 Plan to Shelter Safely

• Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.
• Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
• If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you.

For more information and to download a hurricane checklist, visit the American Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness page.