National Hurricane Preparedness Week May 23 - 29
Friday, May 28, 2010 at 7:59AMThe CDC sent me a message the other day asking that I post some information on Hurricane Preparedness.
Hurricane Hazards
• The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30.
• Hurricanes threaten health and safety in several ways -- storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding.
• Knowing your risks before, during and after a storm, and what actions you should take, you reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.
Steps for Consumers
• Get a Kit – When preparing for hurricane season, consider your basic needs after a storm: fresh water, food, lifesaving medications, clean air and warmth. Stock up on the supplies you would need if a hurricane disrupts power and services.
• Make a Plan – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. Remember to plan for the safety of all family members, including your pets.
• Be informed – Learn more about hurricanes and other potential emergencies that could happen where you live and how to respond to them. Find out about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. Listen to weather reports and government sources to stay on top of developing storms that may threaten your community.
Additional Resources
- CDC’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week Page: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HurricanePreparedness/
- Hurricane Health and Safety: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/
- Emergency Preparedness and You: http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/
- Government-wide Ready Campaign: http://www.ready.gov/
- Preparing for a Hurricane: Basic steps you can take now to ensure your safety should a storm hit.
- Emergency Supplies You Will Need: Stock your home and your car with supplies.
- Make a Plan: Learn the basic steps you can take to prepare for a storm
- Prepare to Evacuate: Never ignore an evacuation order.
- If You Are Ordered NOT to Evacuate: Things you can do to get through the storm in the safest possible manner.
- Protecting Pets: Ensure your pet's safety before, during, and after an emergency.
After you have read these tips, please review the other resources available on the CDC Hurricanes Web site.
CDC strongly recommends that you print all important resources before a hurricane strikes. Power outages during and after a hurricane can prevent you from accessing information online when you most need it. Preparing now can help keep you and your family safe.
You can receive weekly tips from CDC throughout hurricane season by signing up for the following:
- CDC Hurricane Health and Safety Updates — subscribe and get tips of the week sent to your email or mobile phone.
- CDC Hurricane Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and Podcasts
Reader Comments (3)
Excellent post Keith.
Your resource list is fabulous and your points call out most of the frequently forgotten essentials. Having an emergency kit and plan that is readily accessible for every one in the house is key. Kits can be homemade or already assembled. They make excellent housewarming gifts to new home owners/renters/graduates etc
Drawing people's attention to the fact that they will most likely not be together during a disaster will be a real eye opener. This is why it is essential to be a part of your community. During an emergency, we all need to be able to rely on one another. That is so much easier when people are at least acquainted with the others in their neighborhoods.
Stay safe, be prepared,
Lucas Gregson
Thanks Lucas. In addition it is important to have a plan for family pets. Most shelters can't take animals unless they are service animals due to health restrictions.
Planning for all of your families needs before hand is extremely important.
People need money to prepare for a hurricane. In this tough economy it is difficult to be ready for any major disaster. Can the government help in this area?