Before the hurricane season begins, ensure that you have adequate hurricane insurance coverage
- Check your stock of supplies
- Secure tightly any loose objects surrounding your property
- Keep car topped up with fuel
- Fasten and secure doors and windows, using wood or proper hurricane shutters
- Make a plan of where you are going to be, in the event of a hurricane
- Be aware of shelter locations, in particular, the ones nearest you
- If a member of the family is ill, seek procedure advice from medical authorities
- If staying at home, designate an interior room of your house as a place of refuge
- Make arrangements for securing your boat
- Pets are not allowed in emergency shelters, make alternative arrangements for them
- Place your important documents (passports, wills, insurance policies, deeds, etc.) in a safe dry place
- Complete an inventory form or household possessions, this will speed up insurance claims
Hurricane Checklist
If you plan to remain at home you should have:
- Water (seven gallons per person)
- Water Jugs and Water Purification Tablets
- Non-Perishable Foods (canned)
- Manual Can Opener
- Baby Food, Diapers, etc.
- Pet Food
- Cooking Facilities (i.e Camp Stove or Grill plus Gas)
- First-Aid Kit
- Medicines
- Battery Operated Radio
- Extra Batteries
- Butane Lighters, Matches
- Duct Tape
- Bleach (without lemon or additives)
- Candles, Flashlight, Lantern
- Fire Extinguishers
- Mosquito Repellent
- Life Preservers
- Inflatable Raft
- Trash Bags
- Hammer and Nails
- Saw
- Crowbar
- Sledgehammer
- Cellular Phone (if possible)
- Water (1-2 quarts per person per day)
- Canned Foods, Milk, & Beverages
- Baby Food, Diapers etc.
- Medicine
- Toilet Paper Toiletries
- Battery Operated Radio
- Flashlight
- Portable Ice Chest
- Eating Utensils
- Blankets or Sleeping Bags
- Identification and Valuable Papers
- Cards, Games, Books
How is the scale of a hurricane determined?
Category 1 Hurricane
Winds 74-95 m.p.h.
Storm surge generally 4-5 ft. above normal
Minor coastal road flooding. Damage to shrubbery & trees and poorly constructed signs
Category 2 Hurricane
Winds 96-110 m.p.h.
Storm surge 6-8 ft. above normal
Some roof material, door & window damage, some trees blown down. Coastal routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival or hurricane center
Category 3 Hurricane
Winds 111-130 m.p.h.
Storm surge generally 9-12 ft. above normal
Some structural damage to small residences & utility buildings. Structures close to coastal routes could experience damage due to floods and large floating debris. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline may be required
Category 4 Hurricane
Winds 131-155 m.p.h.
Storm surge generally 13-18 ft. above normal
Shrubs, trees and all signs blown down, some complete roof & structure failures on small premises. Extensive damage to doors & windows. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 floors of structures near the shore may be flooded requiring evacuation of residential areas that stretch as far as 6 miles inland
Category 5 Hurricane
Winds 155 m.p.h. +
Storm surge generally 18 ft. + above normal
Complete roof failure on many residential and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles of the shoreline