How to Evacuate From a Hurricane
- 1). Sit down with your family and make an emergency plan should a hurricane evacuation occur. Determine a contact person who lives in another town or state and designate this person as the one family members will contact in case of emergency. Even small children can memorize a name and a phone number. In the confused aftermath of a hurricane, this person will relay information between separated family members.
- 2). Prepare a hurricane emergency kit. This is a large, comprehensive kit that includes not only first aid supplies, but also nonperishable foods and bottled water. Include all the items your family needs to survive for a few days. Store this kit in a watertight container and put in a location where you can grab it quickly and load it into a vehicle. Think "camping" when assembling your kit. Sleeping bags, a change of clothing and a portable gas stove will come in handy.
- 3). Make provisions for your animals. Responsible pet owners are loath to leave their pets behind, but most emergency shelters will not accept any animals except service pets.
- 4). Leave your radio or television on when an evacuation order is pending. You should be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
- 5). Secure outside items before you leave, if you have time. Any lawn furniture, potted plants or trash cans left out may not be there when you return home. Place these items in a garage or bring them indoors.
- 6). Move your most important belongings--those that are too large to take with you--to the highest place in your home. Floodwaters are the greatest threat to people and their possessions.
- 7). Protect your windows with hurricane shutters or place plywood over each window and screw it into place. Preparation is the key. Measure each window in your home and cut plywood to fit. Use screws to attach the plywood to the window frame or installed hurricane boards.
- 8). Plan an evacuation route ahead of time. Your state or community may issue evacuation maps, and if so, put one in your emergency kit and another in the glove box of your car. Make a note of the location of shelters or a friend or family member who lives outside the path of danger.
- 9). Evacuate promptly. If there is a chance an evacuation order is imminent, leave early. Traffic on major roadways is highly congested during an evacuation. The sooner you get started, the more likely you will reach your destination.
