in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and .... alternate power/heat
HURRICANE GUIDE 2017 WTMA-AM
CHARLESTON, SC
BE READY BE SAFE BE PREPARED Charlie James Host, TMA Morning Show
FAMILY PLAN • Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. • Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate • If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. • Make a family emergency communication plan. • Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to think about the following situations and plan just in case. Consider the following questions when making a plan: • How will my family/household get emergency alerts and warnings? • How will my family/household get to safe locations for relevant emergencies? • How will my family/household get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landline doesn’t work? • How will I let loved ones know I am safe? • How will family/household get to a meeting place after the emergency?
EVACUATION • Use the maps within the guide to see which evacuation zone you live in. This will help you determine when and if you will need to evacuate during a storm. • Leave as early as possible if you decide to evacuate. • Do not panic if an evacuation order is given. • Make sure to take your storm supplies and important papers, including your driver’s license and insurance policies. • Take irreplaceable items such as photos and/or keepsakes. • Let friends and relatives know where you are going. • Turn off your electricity, water and gas, if officials tell you to do so. • Lock windows and doors.
• Listen to 1250 WTMA while on the road to stay informed on traffic conditions.
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PROTECTING YOURSELF (During and After the Storm)
DURING THE STORM • Stay indoors, away from windows, skylights and glass doors, until the storm has officially passed. Be careful; it might appear the storm is over, but you may actually be in the eye of the hurricane. It may seem calm, but the weather could deteriorate quickly as the other side of the eye wall approaches. The calm may only last 10-20 minutes depending on how big the eye is and how fast the storm is moving. • Find a safe room in your home. Stay on the lowest level and pick an interior room that doesn’t have windows such as a closet or bathroom. • If you are in a very tall building, avoid the top floors as wind speeds are stronger the higher you go. Get to the lowest level. You may be able to find a safe room there. • Stay in your safe room even if you hear breaking glass. Do not expose yourself to the hurricane’s winds. • If your house starts to break apart, cover yourself with a mattress and pillows. If your safe room has a bathtub, get in the tub under the mattress. • Use the phone for urgent calls only. The power may go out during the storm and it may be a while before you can find a place to charge your phone. Do not use a land line if you hear thunder. •Listen to 1250 WTMA on a battery operated radio for weather coverage and updates. • If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker. AFTER THE STORM • Be patient. It may take a while for emergency crews to reach your neighborhood. Restoring utilities could take several weeks. • Listen to officials about when you can return to your home. They are trying to keep everyone safe. Use extreme caution. There may be dangerous situations all around you. • If your house is damaged, do not return until it has been officially inspected. • Find the fire extinguisher before turning on the power. • Avoid all downed power lines. • Report downed or sparking power lines, broken gas lines and water mains immediately. • Always supervise children. • Avoid piling debris near power poles. This may hinder repairs. • Drive only when necessary because of debris blocking the road and continued clean up efforts. • Open windows and doors to ventilate your home. • If flooding has occurred, have an inspection before turning on the breaker. • Let your out-of-town emergency contact know you are alright. • Have valid ID with you at all times. It may be required to re-enter your neighborhood. advertisement • Don’t sightsee, especially at night.
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PET SAFETY (During and After the Storm) One family member too often overlooked during hurricane preparations is the one with fur or feathers. But caring for a pet requires some of the same early planning as you need for the rest of the family. Taking care of some tasks now can make it easier during the hectic time if a storm approaches. • • • • •
Two-week supply of food, bottled water and medication. Water and food dishes. Toys and blankets. Emergency phone numbers for veterinarians. Veterinary records with rabies certificate, current license tag number and identification chip. • Be sure your pet has received a rabies vaccination and wearing his Registration Tag on a secure collar. • • • •
If your pet has a microchip, be sure the chip is current. Chips (ant make and model) can be registered for FREE at www.found.org. Photo of your pet (to prove you are the owner) Cleaning supplies (newspapers, plastic bags, disinfectant). Pet first aid book and kit.
If you must evacuate, DO NOT leave your pet behind. Be prepared.
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PROTECTING YOUR HOME (Roof, Windows, Garage Doors, Etc.) •
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Common Myth about Hurricane Preparedness “Taping up windows prevents them from shattering.” No. No it does not. In fact, it can make matters worse. When untaped windows get hit with flying debris, they're liable to shatter into a million tiny pieces. Sure, that sounds bad, but consider the alternative. When taped windows are hit with debris, they still break, but into larger, more menacing, dangerous pieces. These are the shards that could cause really damage to you. So forget the tape; it's just a pain to clean up afterwards anyway.
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Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before hurricane season trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep you and your property safe. Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors. Remember that the garage door is usually the most vulnerable. Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture; and NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. Bring loose outdoor items such as patio furniture inside. They can blow around and cause damage to homes. Move your car inside a garage or to another secure location.
TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY
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PRESCRIPTION PLANNING For many people, medication isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Running out could lead to other health complications or even send a person to the hospital. That’s why it’s important to have an adequate supply of medicine available, especially during hurricane season. It’s always a good idea to order prescription refills 5-7 days before your medicine will run out.
Those who live alone, without the support of family or friends, must take special precautions in the event of an emergency situation. People who are frail or disabled (either mentally or physically) may need special assistance from family members, friends or social service agencies. Older adults who are also caregivers may require outside assistance. Excessive stress and anxiety can contribute to increased episodes of illness, particularly for those with heart disease and other illnesses. For people living in a nursing home, assisted living facility or boarding home, contact the administrator to learn about the disaster plan.
If a hurricane hits and your regular pharmacy isn’t open, bring your prescription bottle to another pharmacy. The staff will use the information on the label to refill your medication. Also remember to bring your insurance card. Even if you evacuate, you can still refill your prescriptions. Many chain pharmacies can access your prescription information online and help you with emergency needs. Ordering refills online or over the phone is also a good idea for fast service. But the best advice is: Never wait until the last minute to refill your medicine. It’s the only way to ensure you continue taking advertisement your medication as your doctor prescribed.
DOCUMENTS TO KEEP SAFE One of the most important things to secure during a hurricane, and the most overlooked, is your important documents. Here are a few things to remember: • Store originals in a safe-deposit box at a bank. • Choose a bank some distance from your home to reduce the risk of both places suffering the same disaster. • Get a listing of all your bank’s locations, addresses and phone numbers. • Copy all the documents in the safe-deposit box and place them in an evacuation box (preferably a fire-proof box). • Store your evacuation box some place you can get to easily. Take it with you if you evacuate. • Update documents in both boxes once or twice a year. • Write instructions concerning health and financial decisions for your family in the event you become incapacitated. FOR EVACUATION BOX ONLY • Safe-deposit box information (location, contents and key) • Cash
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SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX OR EVACUATION BOX • Insurance policies (life, auto, homeowners, renters, etc.) • Copies of health insurance information (insurance card, OTHER DOCUMENTS TO CONSIDER doctor’s name and number, prescriptions, allergies and • Home improvement records/receipts immunizations) • Warranties and receipts for major • Photocopy of driver’s license purchases • Birth, Death and Marriage certificates • Appraisals of jewelry, collectibles, artwork, • Social Security card etc. • Passport • Credit card records • Will and living will • Retirement account records • Mortgage/property deeds • Recent checking, savings and investment • Adoption papers account statements • Military records • Rental agreement and/or lease • Car titles • Recent pay stub and employee benefits • Trust documents information • Tax return(s) • Backup disks of critical computerized • Written instructions for family members information • List of emergency contacts (family, friends, lawyer, • Negatives of irreplaceable personal financial advisors, etc.) photographs (with protective plastic sleeves) • Personal property inventory (item description, serial number, receipt and photograph or video)
STORM SUPPLIES Cash (Credit/Debit Machines and ATMs may not work after the storm) Drinking Water (at least a 7 day supply; 2 gallons per person per day) Prescription Medicine (2 week supply) Two Ice Chests w/Ice (one for ice, one for food) Baby Supplies (diapers, wipes, baby food/formula) Manual Can Opener Flashlights/Lanterns Battery-operated Radio and Clock Spare Batteries (2 spare sets for each device) Toilet Paper and Hygiene Items First Aid Kit Bleach for Sterilization (unscented with Hypochlorite the only active ingredient) Iodine or Water Purification Tablets Disposable Plates, Glasses and Utensils Plastic Garbage Bags Disinfectant Soap, Hand Sanitizer and Dish Dtergent Insect Repellent and Sunscreen Corded, Noneletric Phone Digital Camera Waterproof Matches Fire Extinguisher Fuel for Generators and Cars Propane Gas (for grills)
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Charcoal and Lighter Fluid Books, Magazines, Toys Plastic Sheeting / Tarp Canned Meat Canned Fruits and Vegetables Canned Soups and Chili Dried Foods Dried Fruits and Buts Cereal Crackers and Cookies Coffee, Tea or Drink Boxes Peanut Butter and Jelly Pudding Powdered Milk Evaporated Milk or Parmalat Milk
HELPFUL CONTACTS/WEBSITES
Situation Reports and News Releases
Public Information Phone System (PIPS) 1-866-246-0133
S.C. Emergency Management Division
(Only activated when needed. Spanish interpreters available.)
American Red Cross 1-866-438-4636 Dept. of Transportation (Traffic Information) 1-888-877-9151
S.C. Commission for Minority Affairs 803-333-9621
scemd.org Traffic Information Department of Public Safety/Traffic
sctraffic.org Traffic Cameras Department of Transportation
Hispanic Outreach of South Carolina 1-803-419-5112
scdot.org
S.C. Insurance News Service 1-803-252-3455
National Hurricane Center nhc.noaa.gov
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