What To Do Before, During and After the Storm

BEFORE THE STORM

Watch WWAY NewsChannel 3, or visit wwaytv3.com for weather coverage and updates.

Review your family plan and begin to implement it. Review locations of official shelters and learn safe routes inland.

Cover windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters. Do not tape windows!

Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent lifting from their tracks.

Get a battery-powered TV or radio and fresh batteries for updates in case of blackout. WWAY NewsChannel 3 Hurricane Coverage can be found on the following radio stations: Jammin' 99.9 and ESPN 630 will cover Category 1 storms and up, while Surf 98.3, Rock 104.5 and Z 1075 will cover Category 2 storms and up.

Secure lawn furniture, lawn toys, and other lightweight items or bring them inside.

Fuel and service family cars.

Moor small craft and move boats to safe shelter.

Have extra cash on hand.

Inventory Must-Have supplies and replenish as needed.

Fill containers and bathtub with water.

Check manufactured home tie downs.

DURING THE STORM

Stay away from windows and doors. Make sure you are in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.

Stay safely inside until the entire storm has passed.

For safety, use flashlights instead of candles or kerosene lamps.

Place animals in carriers and keep them within eye sight if possible.

If your house starts to break apart, cover yourself with a mattress or lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object. In a bathroom, take refuge in the tub, covered with a mattress.

Use the phone for urgent calls only.
IF EVACUATING, DO SO IMMEDIATELY!!

Evacuate if you live in a mobile home, on the coastline, barrier island, in a rover or flood plain, a high rise building, or as instructed by city or county officials.

Leave in daylight if possible to avoid traffic and darkness. Use recommended evacuation routes. Avoid water on roadways and barricaded areas.

Shut off water and electricity at main stations. Turn off propane.

Take pets with you to a pre-arranged safe place. Pets are not allowed in public shelters.

AFTER THE STORM

Inspect your home for damage. If your house is damaged, get out until it is inspected by officials.

Report downed or sparking power lines, broken gas, or water mains. Stay away from all downed power lines and standing water.

Drive only if necessary. Do not drive across flowing water, downed power lines or enter barricaded areas.

Do not drink the tap water until officials have announced it’s safe.

If you are without power, turn off all electrical equipment and avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer to keep food safe longer.

If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. Do not run a generator inside the home or garage.

When it is safe, take photos of damaged areas and possessions. Notify your insurance agent with an address and phone number to reach you.

During clean up, do not pile debris near power
lines. Use your chain saw or other equipment carefully.

The Department of Labor’s OSHA has released several public service announcements promoting safe cleanup and recovery after hurricanes. The public service announcements, read by Assistant Secretary Foulke and others, and available in both English and Spanish, can be downloaded from the audio news release page of the Labor Department’s Web site at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio and OSHA’s hurricane recovery Web site at http://www.osha.gov/hurricane#PSA. These messages inform listeners about hazards including falls from heights, carbon monoxide poisoning from generators, electrocution from fallen power lines, lacerations from tree trimming and automobile injuries from working around roadways.