Hurricane Preparedness

Know what hurricane WATCH and WARNING mean.

Watch : Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the Watch, usually within 36 hours.

Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 24 hours.

NOAA Weather Radio

Getting reliable, up-to-date weather information during threatening, critical situations is essential to any hurricane preparedness plan. The National Weather Service operates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio system across the country to provide a convenient and rapid means of receiving weather forecasts, weather warnings, and other weather information helpful to you.

Information is broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio 24 hours a day from National Weather Service offices. Along the immediate Gulf Coast area of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle, weather radio transmitters are located in Gulfport, MS, Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL. Other transmitting locations can be found throughout Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida.

Weather radios can be purchased at many stores at affordable prices and some AM/FM radios have "weather bands" to recieve NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts. Look for a radio with an alert mode, especially with the new EAS alert system to program for each county, one that has backup battery power and one that has the capability of receiving all seven NOAA weather radio braodcast frequencies. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts will include the latest information prepared on tropical storms and hurricanes by forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, FL, as well as local information on the weather, its impact on the local area, and information from Emergency Management officials.

Local NOAA Weather Radio frequencies are:

162.475 Mhz - Southeast Alabama

162.400 Mhz - Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City area

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local Radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately!

 Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit

Include the following items in your kit:

• First aid kit and essential medications
• Canned food and can opener
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags
• Battery powered radio, flashlight, and exra batteries
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)

Also see Hurricane Survival Kit below

Prepare for high winds

• Install hurricane shutters or precut ¾" marine plywood for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

Know what to do when a hurricane WATCH is issued.

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
• Prepare to bring indoors lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
• Prepare to cover ALL windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking; so taping windows is not recommended.
• Fill your vehicle's gas tank.
• Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
• Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

Identify what to do when a hurricane WARNING is issued

• Listen to the advice of local officials and leave if they tell you to do so.
• Complete preparation activities.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors away from windows.
• Be aware, the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds that blow from the opposite direction.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during and after a hurricane passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

 Know what to do after a hurricane is over

• Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local Radio or TV stations for instructions.
• If you evacuated, return home only when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Use flashlights in the dark; avoid using candles.

 If you are evacuating, you should bring:

• pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses.
• extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, medications, etc.
• lightweight folding chairs or cots.
• personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, contact solution, etc.)
• a credit card, travelers checks
• quiet games, books, playing cards, and favorite toys for children
• important papers including driver's license, special medical information, insurance policies and property inventories

 Note: pets, alcoholic beverages and weapons will NOT be permitted inside Red Cross Shelters.

Special Medical Needs

Citizens evacuating to shelters who need additional advanced medical care will be allowed to stay in the shelter only if they are accompanied by a care-giver who is capable of providing the care and has the resources necessary. Citizens whose medical needs surpass the resources of the shelter should be transported to the nearest hospital to receive the appropriate care.

• Cash (With no power, banks may be closed temporarily, checks and credit cards unaccepted and ATM's may not be operational.)
• Four weeks supply of prescription medicines.
• At least two weeks supply of non-perishable/special dietary foods.
• Drinking water - at least one gallon per person per day for two weeks.
• Flashlights and batteries for each member of the family.
• Portable radio and at least seven sets of batteries.
• Mosquito repellent.
• First aid book and kit incuding bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, non-aspirin pain reliever, and anti-diarrhea medication.
• Two coolers recommended (one to keep food; the other to store ice in.)
• Charcoal/Ice (precious commodities before and after a storm)
• Plastic tarp for roof or window repair, screening, garbage bags, tools and nails, etc.
• Water purification kit (tablets, chlorine [plain], and iodine)
• Infant necessities (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles)
• Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectants)
• Camera and film
• Non-electric can opener
• Extra batteries for camera, flashlights, radio, portable TV & lamps, etc.
• Plastic trash bags
• Toilet paper, paper towels, and pre-moistened towelettes

NOTE: Keep all your receipts of items purchased after the storm. Your insurance may cover the cost of emergency food and ice.

Go back to home page.