The hurricane season is defined from June 1st until November 30th. Most hurricanes occur in August, September and October.

WHAT IS A HURRICANE?

A tropical depression has sustained winds of less than 39 miles per hour. A TROPICAL STORM has winds over 39 mph or greater. HURRICANES are tropical systems with winds over 74 mph or more and blow in a large spiral around the center.

WHAT IS A HURRICANE WARNING?

A warning means that winds of 74 mph or more are expected in 24 hours or less in the specified area. Because the exact movement of storms is generally hard to predict, the warning area is generally large.

WHAT IS A HURRICANE WATCH?

A watch almost always preceeds a hurricane warning. This means that hurricane conditions pose a threat within 36-48 hours. Listen to local AM radio stations for advisories. If there are precautions that will take more than 18 to 24 hours to fulfill, start now.

HURRICANE CATEGORIES:

• Category 1 Winds of 74-95 mph
• Category 2 Winds of 96-110 mph
• Category 3 Winds of 111-130 mph
• Category 4 Winds of 131-155 mph
• Category 5 Winds of 156 mph or greater
  

Tropical storm warnings and watches are similar to those issued for oncoming hurricanes, however they usually warn of sustained wind speeds of 39-73 mph. Like hurricane warnings and watches, they may may include forecasts for flooding from rising coastal waters(this is called a storm surge). Many times tornadoes and flooding rains are part of the watches and warnings.

WHEN THEY SAY AN AREA IS IN THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE - WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

Skies in the center of the hurricane may be sunny or clear with light wind, but only a few miles away, there is pounding rain and hurricane force winds. REMEMBER - prepare for the hurricane when you hear the warnings, even if everything looks calm where you live. Many people have suffered loss of life or have been injured when they had a false sense of security and ventured out of the safe eye of the hurricane. Stay put! Don't go out! Also, be aware that after the eye passes, the winds will resume from the opposite direction.

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST DANGERS?

More people die from hurricane related accidents due to drownings. 9 out of 10 deaths from hurricanes are from storm surges. The tides in a hurricane driven storm may reach 25 feet or more above normal. They flood low areas, wash out roads and highways and produce sudden flooding. Even after the winds have subsided, the rain may continue to cause serious problems.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY AT HOME!

You should be safe if your house is sturdy, not in an area subject to serious flooding, you have prepared well, and have a "safe room" to go to. Choose a spot in your home that will protect you from flying debris, such as a closet or bathroom, or a spot with no windows. Make this safe room as comfortable as possible. You could be there a long time if it is a slow moving storm. If you are in a two story house, go to an interior first-floor room or basement. If you are in a multiple-story building, go to the first or second floors and stay in halls or other inside rooms away from windows. Elevator shafts are generally the strongest parts of larger buildings. Turn off utilities if so advised. Turn off propane tanks. Unplug small appliances. Close and brace all external doors. Close all interior doors. Lie on floors or under sturdy tables if necessary. Keep windows CLOSED! People used to think that a window should be opened. Not so!

AROUND YOUR HOME

Look around outside and bring in anything that could blow around- items such as garbage cans, hoses, outdoor furniture, plants, toys and anything else that can be moved. Secure your garage doors. If you have awnings, remove them if possible, and if not, raise them and tie them securely. Fasten your storm shutters and board up your windows with good lumber. Remove ripe coconuts from any palm trees you might have. Tape windows to prevent flying glass. To conserve refrigerated food, turn your refrigerator to the highest setting and only open when absolutely necessary. A good refrigerator or freezer can keep food safe for up to two days without electricity. If you have sliding glass doors, tap wedges in the top track and brace all French doors. Lower or remove your television or C.B. antennas with great caution. Turn off the power first! Make sure you are careful around power lines. If you have a wind turbine on your roof for ventilation, cover it with plastic and tie it down securely. Check your trees and shrubbery, and remove any limbs which could potentially damage your house or utility lines.

MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT A SAFE PLACE TO BE!

Mobile homes are vulnerable to being turned over by strong winds. As soon as a warning is issued, or before, trailer owners should evacuate. But before evacuation take some necessary steps to secure your property the best you can: Use heavy cables anchored in concrete footings to secure your home Tape all the windos in an X to prevent damage from broken glass. Turn off the water supply to the home. Disconnect the sewer and water lines. Put away all other outside items such as awnings, garbage cans, toys, etc.

IF YOU HAVE A SWIMMING POOL

Do not drain it! But do add extra chlorine to the water to prevent contamination. Lower the water level slightly to accomodate heavy rains. Put all pool toys, and tools such as preservers and nets away. Turn off all electrical power to the pool. Wrap the motor in plastic to avoid rain damage.
If you have a screened in pool or patio, you can avoid damage by letting the wind through. Remove six foot panels on each side of the enclosure.

IF YOU HAVE A BOAT

Don't wait until the waters becomes rough to take care of your boat. If your boat is on a trailor, take it to an enclosed shelter if possible. If you cannot, haul the boat out of the water or it firmly to it's moorings. Let the air out of the tires on the trailer. If your boat is small enough, slide it off the trailer onto land, and partially fill it with water so that it will not be blown about easily. If your boat must remain in the water, make arrangements ahead of time with property owners, marina owners or storage yards for a place to secure your boat.

REMEMBER YOUR CAR

At first warning, fill up with gas. Pumps may be inoperable after a storm. Park your car in the garage if you have one, or put it in a nearby public garage. If this is impossible, park it close to the wall of a well constructed building, clear of any trees.

WHAT SUPPLIES DO YOU NEED?

Before a hurricane, have these supplies on hand:

• enough cash for two weeks
• a first aid kit
• a battery powered flashlight
• a portable generator
• a battery powered television, radio or a weather radio and lots of extra batteries (you can always use them later- better safe than sorry!)
• a mattress- for sleeping, but also to put over you for protection!
• sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and/ or cushions
• food (remember you won't be able to microwave or refrigerate food if you loose power)
• snacks, and plenty of water ( If you have water delivered and know a storm is approaching, you may consider having extra delivered. If the worst never happens, at least you were prepared!
• plenty of canned food.
• you will probably want to plan for enough food and water for a week.
• medicine- If anyone is on regular presciption medicine, get the RX refilled before the storm approaches. This can be life threatening!
• baby Food- make sure you have extra food and diapers on hand.
• fire Extinguishers- make sure they are fully charged!
• matches and or disposable lighters (keep then in zip lock baggies!)
• emergency cooking facilities and fuels, like a camping stove
• an ice chest and gel packs
• eating utensils, plates, cups, and a manual can opener
• lanterns and fuel
• water containers - 7 gallons of water per person for a week supply
• bleach
• wide masking tape
• toys and games for the children
• games, cards and/ or books for the adults
• stong materials to board up windows, etc.
• a variety of tools, including hammers and nails.
• an up-to-date emergency phone list and coins for pay phones in case you need them.
• if your water supply becomes disrupted, sterilize bathwater and other containers with bleach and let them dry. Put caulk around the bathtubs to prevent leaking, then fill the tubs and any other available containers with water. Clean up supplies, such as pails, mops, brooms.
• important phone numbers and a cellular phone if you have one.
• insurance information and valuable papers
• water purification tablets
• changes of clothes for each person
• toilet paper and towlettes
  

SHOULD WE LEAVE?

If you live in one of these areas the answer is yes:

• an area that might be swept by high tides or storms
• in a mobile home
• on a coastline or offshore island
• in a flood plain
• in a high rise
• on a river
  

Remember, roads may be closed or impassable several hours before the arrival of hurricane conditions, so leave as early as possible and during daylight hours. Let friends and family know your plans.

Shelters

If you do not feel safe in your home and want to stay in a local shelter, you should find the locations of nearby shelters early. When these shelters are open, leave as soon as possible and bring with you:

• non perishable items
• irreplaceable documents and pictures
• any medications needed
• bedding items
  

Remember that pets are not allowed in hurricane shelters. Your options are:

• board them in a kennel
• board them with your veternarian
• leave them inside with plenty of food and water
• 
  

IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY

Make arrangements well ahead of time so that there will be adequate supplies of food and other necessities. Secure your own home as well as possible before you leave.

IF YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE THE AREA ALTOGETHER

• Get gas early to avoid long lines at the service station. Remember, gas may not be available after the hurricane.
• Relocate as early as possisble to avoid dangerous travelling amd traffic problems.
• If you leave when the storm is very near, take a current road map and plan a route away from major bodies of water and canals.
• Flying is an option, but remember that by the time a warning is posted the airlines may already be booked or airports closed due to dangerous winds.
• If you have a disabled or ill person at home, get your doctor's advice as to where you should stay.
• If you have no transportation, ask a neighbor for help or call local authorities or the Red Cross for assistance.
• Take enough money, clothes, medical supplies and other necessities to last at least one week.
  

AFTER THE STORM

• Stay inside until you are officially notified that the dangerous conditions have passed.
• Don't return home until officials in your area have announced that it is safe.
• Listen to instructions about the safety of your drinking water.
• Don't use the telephone unless it is an absolute necessity.
• Stay out of disaster areas unless you are qualified to help.
• Check your refrigerator and throw away any foods that may have been spoiled or that you are not sure of.
• Outside - stay away from downed or hanging power lines and if possible, report them to the power company.
• Report broken sewers or water mains to the water department.
• Prevent fires- the water pressure will probably be low.
• Don't travel until the roads have been declared officially open. Then use extreme caution on roads with debris and high water. Roads may have been undermined and may collapse under the weight.
• Check on your neighbors and the elderly to see if you can offer help.
• To cook without electricity after a storm, bottled gas burners are very efficient,but good ventilation is a must.
• Use your grills only outdoors - never
  indoors. Have a good fire extinguisher handy.
• Make a list immediately of any damages your property may have sustained. Take pictures if possible.
  Make only temporary repairs. If you make permanent repairs, your insurance company may not reimburse you.
• Call your insurance company or agent as soon as possible.