Hurricane Season

There are many things to take into account when preparing for a hurricane. Always know what the tropics are doing before heading to the coast for a fishing trip. Keep some form of radio available tuned to a station that gives updated storm warnings and information. Make plans to have some place to go in the event of an evacuation. Several are recommended. If the local authorities post an evacuation, heed it, and get the heck outta Dodge.

Make sure to take the following when/if you evacuate due to a hurricane or any disaster, your prescription medications, all your needed medical supplies, and a first aid kit. Some bedding, extra clothing and sleeping bags and pillows. You'll want some bottled water, battery powered radio with extra batteries, and flashlight(s). Also make sure you take your id, drivers license, social security cards, insurance policies, deeds...etc.

In the event you decide to stay and ride the hurricane out, keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to change your mind. Once the hurricane starts blowing in and the wind and rains start kicking, you are in it for the long haul, and on your own.

Emergency personnel, ie, police fire and rescue, ambulance services and hospitals, will be closed, and will not respond until the threat of the hurricane has passed. And evacuation routes will likely be closed.

If you do decide to stay, be sure you have shelter. I recommend you know in advance of a storm where any local emergency hurricane shelters might be located. And make sure you have an ample amount of supplies on hand. The basic things you will need to ride out a hurricane are:

Be prepared for high winds by boarding up the windows of any permanent structures with plywood. If you own property in hurricane prone areas, it's wise to install hurricane shutters, or have the 1/2" plywood already cut with predrilled holes ready to go up quickly. Install anchors to hold the plywood. Make sure any trees around the structure are disease free, and pruned to let wind blow through with little resistance.

When a hurricane watch is issued, listen to weather radio or your local tv station for updates. Begin preparing by securing anything that might get blown around and become a projectile such as lawn furniture, decorations... etc. Prepare the hurricane shutters and/or plywood: have them ready to cover the windows quickly. Be sure to fill the gas tank of your car. Make sure you have plenty of canned food, M.R.I.'s, and/or dehydrated foods available for easy access. As well as drinking water, meds, and a well-stocked first aid kit.

When the watch is changed to a warning, listen to the radio for the advice of local officials. If they tell you to evacuate, do so. If you do stay, stay indoors and away from windows. Remember that the eye of the hurricane is not the end of the storm, and the worst of the hurricane will likely pass over you soon. Do not venture out when the eye of the hurricane is passing over you. Stay put until the back end of the storm has passed. If you have evacuated, wait until officials give the o.k. to return.