Hurricane Safety

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.

What Should You Do Before a Hurricane?

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.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.
Gather food, water, and medicine. Organize supplies into a Go-Kit and a Stay-at-Home Kit.
Go-Kit: 3 days of supplies that you can carry with you. Include backup batteries and chargers for your devices (cell phone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
Stay-at-Home Kit: 2 weeks of supplies. Stores and pharmacies might be closed.
Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container.
Keep personal, financial, and medical records safe.

Plan to Stay Connected

Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
Have a way to charge your cell phone.
Have a battery-powered radio.

Learn Emergency Skills

Learn First Aid and CPR.
Be ready to live without power.
Learn how to use a generator safely.
Plan how you will use powered medical equipment.

How Can You Protect Your Home Before a Hurricane?

Prepare for Wind
Prepare for Flooding

Secure items outside, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.
Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks.
Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home. Review insurance policies.
Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.

Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner. Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment, such as chainsaws.
Heart attacks are a leading cause of deaths after a hurricane. Be mindful of overworking.

What Should You Do During a Hurricane?

If ordered to evacuate, leave immediately.

How to Stay Safe Indoors

If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, grab your emergency kit and go right away. If you are not in a mandatory evacuation zone, you will need to decide whether to leave the area, move to higher ground nearby, or stay in your home. If you decide to stay home, remember that even if the high winds and floodwaters do not reach your home, you may lose power and water, and you may not be able to leave your home for several days if the roads are impassable.

If local authorities advise you to evacuate, go right away.
Bring your Go Kit.
Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
Check with local officials for shelter locationsStaying at Home
Determine your best protection for high winds and flooding.
Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
Stay away from glass windows and doors.
Move to higher ground before flooding begins.

Never walk, swim, or try to drive through floodwater.

Remember: Turn Around! Don’t Drown!

How Does the Red Cross Help During Hurricanes?
When a hurricane or tropical storm strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food and comfort.

How Can You Stay Safe After a Hurricane?

If you evacuated, don't return home until local officials have declared that it is safe to enter your community and you have the supplies you will need. If your home was damaged by hurricane-force winds or flooding after the storm, it should be carefully inspected and thoroughly cleaned.

Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.
Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria and chemicals that can make you ill.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away – do not delay.

Wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles and boots.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner. Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment, such as chainsaws.
Heart attacks are a leading cause of deaths after a hurricane. Be mindful of overworking.

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance if you have refrigerated medicines that got warm
Avoid drinking tap water until local officials say it is safe.

What Should You Do During a Flood?

Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!

How to Stay Safe Indoors

Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.
Boil tap water until water sources have been declared safe.
Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
Don’t use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.
Dispose of any food that comes into contact with flood water.

How to Stay Safe Outdoors

Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.
If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
Don't walk on beaches or riverbanks.
Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water.
Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.
It’s normal to have a lot of feelings.
Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help you deal with stress.
You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone.