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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS: BE AWARE, ALERT AND READY


With Hurricane Ana bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, I urge everyone to remain alert to the weather conditions and be prepared for potentially severe weather.  While Hurricane Ana is expected to remain south of the main Hawaiian Islands, it still is a dangerous tropical storm which will bring heavy rains and possible thunderstorms, strong winds and high surf.  Everyone must stay vigilant as we receive regular updates on the storm.

Below are safety guidelines from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I encourage you to read the recommendations and visit the posted links to help keep you and your family as safe as possible:


Hurricane Preparedness - Be Aware, Alert and Ready

Two keys to weather safety are to prepare for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials. These are essential pieces to the Weather-Ready Nation.


Refer to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready.gov/hurricanes for comprehensive information on hurricane preparedness at home and in your community.

Some highlights on how to prepare and take action are available below:

Gather Information

Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Understand National Weather Service forecast products and especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

Contact your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.


Contacts

Keep a list of contact information for reference:

  • County Law Enforcement
  • County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
  • State, County and City/Town Government
  • Local Hospitals
  • Local Utilities
  • Local American Red Cross
  • Local TV Stations
  • Local Radio Stations
  • Your Property Insurance Agent

Risk Analysis

Online hazard and vulnerability assessment tools are available to gather information about your risks.


Plan & Take Action

Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?


Supplies Kit

Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.


Emergency Plans

Develop and document plans for your specific risks.

  • Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan - [PDF]
  • Be sure to plan for locations away from home
  • Business owners and site locations should create Workplace Plans
  • Make sure schools and daycares have School Emergency Plans
  • Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offer information on animal health impacts in evacuation shelters.
  • Prepare your boat and be aware of marine safety if you are on or near the water.



Health & Environment

Follow guidelines to guard your community's health and protect the environment during and after the storm.

  • Review the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) health considerations before, during, and after a storm.
  • Remember to follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) food and water safety guidelines during disasters.
  • Review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggestions for health and environmental safety in disaster preparedness.


Evacuation

  • Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
  • Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.

When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet...

Be alert for:

  • Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes.
  • The calm "eye" of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.


Recover

  • Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
  • Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.


Resources

  • FEMA - Are You Ready? Guide
  • National Weather Service Weather Safety
  • Be a Force of Nature with NOAA's Weather-Ready Nation
  • NWS Storm-Ready Sites & Communities
  • Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
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