Hurricane season is here so how do we prepare?

The first thing you will want to do is access your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and the wind. Even though you are inland or north that does not mean that your home is out of the danger zone.

You will want to start getting your hurricane supplies ready and the first thing you will want to round up will be any important information that could be helpful in this particular scenario. Here is a short list of things you may need.

Keep a list of contact information for reference.

• Emergency Management Offices
• County Law Enforcement
• County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
• State, County and City/Town Government
• Local Hospitals
• Local Utilities
• Local American Red Cross
• Local TV Stations
• Local Radio Stations
• Your Property Insurance Agent

Next, you will want to ready your supplies.

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

You will also want to make sure that you have specific supplies for the various places you can be stuck at. For example one in the car, one at work and one for at home.

Another crucial step is to know the evac routes. This is especially important because many people will be trying to leave ahead of the storm so knowing where you are going beforehand will alleviate any stress and worry associated with travel.

The final two things I can advise is that you need to be aware that tornados are also spawned from hurricanes and can pop up without notice.

Also, just because you think the storm is over it does not mean it's over. The eye of the hurricane can be very deceiving and can get you into trouble if you think that the storm has passed. Wait for the all clear notices from the weather service.

The good thing is that hurricanes take time to reach land so unlike other storms there is time to prepare.

Source: NHC.NOA.GOV

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/25/us/weather-hurricane-season-forecast/