Ideally, hurricane preparedness should start well before hurricane season begins. Residents should find out if they are in an area prone to hurricanes, and if they live where flooding is a risk. If they do live in a danger area, they should put together an emergency plan and decide where to go if forced to evacuate. In addition, they should make sure their homes are secure, and that they have covers for windows and doors. A survival kit is also important, complete with a two-week supply of essential items like food, water and medication.
If a hurricane watch or warning is issued, residents in the threatened area should make sure their emergency kits are complete, find a safe place for important papers, secure their doors and windows and make sure they have enough cash, food and water and fuel for vehicles. If a power outage occurs, banks, stores and service stations will likely close down, leaving residents without access to basic items they need to survive. If forced to evacuate, they should also tell friends and family where they’ll be. Before they leave, they should also shut off the water and gas and turn off their house’s main circuit breaker. Once the hurricane strikes, residents should stay inside, away from doors and windows. They should also find an area in the building’s interior, such as a closet or bathroom, that is more secure. They should remain inside until radio reports confirm the storm has passed, because even if winds seem to have stopped, it may mean that the eye of the storm is passing over and the winds will begin again after the eye has moved on.