Hurricanes can be scary, especially if you live in an area that is at a high risk for damage, but to make them less scary you should be prepared with all the essentials to make it safely through a hurricane. Hurricane season for the Atlantic Coast is June 1st through November 30th each year.
- Stock up on emergency supplies for your home and car. These include extra batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food, medicine, a change of clothes, extra diapers and childcare items, a battery-powered or weather radio, and other personal items you may need for a period of 3-5 days.
- It’s always best to have a contingency plan in case things go wrong. A shelter or nearby friend or family members home you can get to that is safe and away from the storm. Remember it is always better to leave before the storm than to be caught in it.
- Make plans for your pets. Plan where you and your pet will stay in case you need to evacuate your home. Pets may not be allowed in local shelters unless they are service animals. Identify shelters or out-of-town friends or relatives where your pets and other animals can stay.
- Sign up with your state and/or local emergency management office to receive emergency alerts and notifications.
- Make sure you have a plan on how to stay in contact family and check in to make sure all members are safe before and after the storm.
- It can be helpful to have personal documents, such as ID cards, passports, health insurance cards, collected and ready to go in case of an evacuation situation.