- When you learn that a hurricane or tropical storm is threatening, you should prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit, gather important phone numbers and maps, and get your home ready in case the storm should affect your area.
- In the event of a natural disaster, your family should plan to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days.
- Your Disaster Supplies Kit should include:
- a first aid kit and prescription medications
- canned food, a hand operated can opener, and at least 3 gallons of water per person
- protective clothing, rainwear, blankets or sleeping bags
- a battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries and extra cash
- special items for infants, children, elderly or disabled family members
- instructions for turning off utilities if you're advised to do so
- A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area usually within 24 hours. A hurricane watch (which generally precedes a hurricane warning) means that hurricane conditions are possible in the area within 36 hours.
- When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:
- fill the car with gas
- pay close attention to weather statements on local radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio
- double check your Disaster Supplies Kit and add last minute supplies
- prepare to bring lawn furniture, decorations, trash cans, and hanging plants indoors.
DO NOT turn off power and gas at home or board up your windows until instructed to do so by local authorities.
- You should plan to evacuate your home when local emergency officials instruct you to do so. Be sure to bring along your Disaster Supplies Kit and personal identification.
- Do NOT assume that all is safe because you are not asked to evacuate. Severe weather from hurricanes can be unpredictable, and can affect homes even hundreds of miles inland from the coast. During the storm, stay inside and away from windows. Should tornadoes form, stay in the center of your home in a closet or bathroom without windows. Stay tuned to local radio and television stations or NOAA weather radio for information and instructions.
- When you evacuate your home, your pets should go with you to a hotel that you know will take pets. Do NOT take them to a shelter, or leave them in your home. Make sure you have food, water, medicines, a leash or pet carrier, and up-to-date identification tags with you.
- If you are home and the power goes out, and your refrigerator is full of food, do NOT open your refrigerator unless it is absolutely necessary. Most foods will stay cold in a closed refrigerator for up to three days. However, if in doubt about the safety of certain foods, be safe and discard them.
- If you see a downed power line, you should assume it is still on and avoid it at all costs, until utility crews can remove and repair it.
- The first thing you should do after the storm is inspect your home to see if you have damage. Remove any debris that might cause added danger (but remeber to be aware of gas leaks and avoid any downed power lines!). Make any temporary repairs needed to weatherproof your home. Make a list of items to cover with your insurance agent and take photos if you can. If your phones are working, do not use them except for urgent calls since phone lines will be jammed. Listen to local radio and television reports for information on power restoration. Utility crews will already be at work to restore power.
- Information ©1999 ElectriCities of NC
The Rocky Mount Fire Department encourages residents to purchase and keep on hand a weather radio that is compatible with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio network. NOAA weather radios can alert you and your loved ones to approaching severe weather. NOAA's radio network is an all-hazards system which provides watches and warnings for natural incidents such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, thunderstorms, and winter storms.
Special radios are available for the hearing- and visually-impaired.
For more information on NOAA weather radios, visit http://www.weather.gov/nwr/ or call the RMFD Life Safety/Emergency Management Division at 972-1380.
