***Disclaimer***

Although this page can NOT replace common sense for dealing with a hurricane, it will give you information on PREPARATION for a hurricane, what to do once hurricane watches and warnings are issued for the area, and what to do after one strikes.

Quick Links:

• Evacuation Info & Routes
• Radio and TV stations

FEMA PUBLICATIONS

• Against the Wind: Protecting Your Home from Hurricane and Wind Damage FEMA-247. A guide to hurricane preparedness.
• Community Hurricane Preparedness. IS-324. CD-ROM or Web-based training course for federal, state and local emergency managers.
• How to Guides to Protect Your Property or Business from High Winds.
• Surviving the Aftermath of a Hurricane. A guide from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

OTHER UBLICATIONS

• Returning Home after a Hurricane or Flood. American Red Cross.
• Repairing Your Flooded Home American Red Cross.
• Avoiding Hurricane Damage Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. Detailed information on how you can protect your property.

Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

What to do BEFORE a hurricane threatens the area

• Plan an evacuation route.
• Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
• Learn safe routes inland. Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.

Have disaster supplies on hand

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries (list of radio and television stations)
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• Make arrangements for pets.
• Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.

Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.

Protect your windows

Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2-inch plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.

Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office.
There is normally a 5-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.

Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility if adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Hurricane Watches and Warnings

A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.

DURING A HURRICANE WATCH

• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports. (list of radio and television stations)
• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils.
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tie downs to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

DURING A HURRICANE WARNING

• Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions. (list of radio and television stations)
• If in a mobile home, check tie downs and evacuate immediately.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Avoid elevators.



If at Home

• Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.

If officials indicate evacuation is necessary

• Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
• Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
• If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
• Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing.
• Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
• Lock up home and leave.

Evacuation Routes for Baldwin County

Once a Hurricane WARNING has been issued for Escambia County, Florida, all routes with the exception of I-10 are closed to traffic originating from Alabama into Florida.

Traffic Heading North Bound Via Interstate 65
AL Hwy 59 north to AL Hwy 287 to I-65 north bound to Montgomery and points north.

Traffic Heading to Mobile and Points West
AL Hwy 59 north to Interstate 10 west bound to Mobile and points west.

Traffic Heading to Atmore and Points East
North on Al Hwy 59, turn east on Baldwin Co Hwy 20, turn north on Baldwin Co Hwy 83, turn east on Baldwin Co Hwy 98, Turn North on Baldwin County Hwy 87, Turn North on Alabama Hwy 112, Turn East on US Hwy 31 to Atmore, Brewton, and points east.

AFTER A HURRICANE

• Stay tuned to local radio for information. (list of radio and television stations)
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

Return home only after authorities advice that it is safe to do so.

• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the Power Company, police, or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution.
• Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by floodwater.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents, for insurance claims.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Use telephone only for emergency calls.

Resources