EVACUATION: IF YOU MUST GO

» Pack what you will need: See the SURVIVAL KIT listed below.

» Turn off electricity, gas, appliances & water: Don't let your home survive the storm & then burn down.

» Take important papers with you: including identification with your local address and insurance information.

» Contact friends & relatives: Let them know where you are going.

» Elevate furniture, TV's, computers, etc.: Protect what you can.

» Lock windows & doors: Others may get back before you do.

» Plan to shelter close to home: Stay with friends, relatives, or at a public shelter close to home. Leave early as the roads will be very busy during evacuations.

IF YOU DON'T EVACUATE:

» Obtain and mark clean containers for storing water: You should have a minimum of three gallons per person / per day for several days.

» Get a week's supply of non-perishable food: - and don't forget a non-electric can opener.

» Check emergency supplies: A two-week supply of medicines, special dietary foods, portable radio with batteries, flashlights & batteries, automatic weather warning receiver & batteries.

» Be a friend: Offer your home to friends, co-workers or relatives who may need shelter.

» Stay inside: away from windows, skylights or glass doors.

» Wait for official word that the danger is over: and don't be fooled by the storm's calm "eye".

» If flooding threatens your home: turn off electricity at the main breaker.

» If you lose power, turn off major appliances: Air conditioners, water heaters will cause a power surge if left turned on when the power is restored. Turning off these appliances may prevent damage to your circuit breaker or the appliances.

» Stay tuned to local TV or radio: During emergencies local officials work with the media to get the latest information and news out to local residents on a 24-hours a day basis.

RECOMMENDED SURVIVAL KIT
(plan on being away for 3 to 5 days)

SAFETY NOTE:
HOW TO GET BACK HOME AFTER THE STORM

» Be patient: Access to affected and damaged areas will be controlled. You will not be able to return home until search and rescue operations are completed, and safety hazards and major roads are cleared.

» Have valid ID: as security operations will include the establishment of checkpoints where valid photo ID with your local address will be required.

» Avoid driving: Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

» Don't sightsee: You may be mistaken for a looter.

» Avoid downed or dangling utility wires: and report them as soon as possible.

» Beware of snakes, insects or animals: Dangerous animals may have been driven to high ground by floodwater.

» Enter your home with caution: Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home. Watch out when starting appliances; they may have been flooded.

» Be cautious with fire: Do not strike a flame until you are sure that there have been no gas leaks.

» Assess & photograph damage: Records are important when making claims. Make temporary repairs to correct any safety hazards and minimize further damage.

» Report any broken water, gas or sewer lines.

» Stay tuned to your local radio station: All local media will be briefed by local government about emergency medical, food, housing and other forms of assistance.

» Avoid metal fences and buildings: They could be in contact with fallen wires.

IF THERE HAS BEEN FLOODING HAVE YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AN ELECTRICIAN BEFORE TURNING ON THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER.

» DO NOT CONNECT A PORTABLE OR EMERGENCY POWER GENERATOR TO BUILDING WIRING: This could kill or injure utilities crews working down the line!