When a Hurricane Strikes
What to do when a hurricane hits you at home.
When a hurricane hits, we’re all reminded of how strong Mother Nature truly is. Not only can a hurricane be scary, it can be deadly if you don’t know how to properly weather out the storm.
I’m Rescue Worker Ryan and I’m here to tell you what you need to know in case a hurricane hits your area.
Watch and Listen to Local News
If a hurricane is headed your way, the first and most important thing to do is listen to your local news casts. If an evacuation is called for, it’s time to gather your necessities, secure your home and hit the road.
If an evacuation is not called for or if you can’t leave or you have nowhere to go the following steps may save your life in the event of a hurricane.
Securing Your Home
One of the most essential steps in preparing for a hurricane is to secure your home. You’ll want to board up your windows and close your storm shutters. If you have outdoor objects such as lawn ornaments or outdoor furniture, you’ll want to bring the items indoors so they don’t blow away when the hurricane strikes.
Take Cover
After your home is secure, you’ll want to stay indoors and stay away from your windows. If you don’t have a basement, an interior room without windows, such as a broom closet or a bathroom will suffice.
You will want to make sure that you have enough food and water with you to weather out the storm. Also make sure you have an emergency radio and a flashlight with a good supply of batteries.
If the Power Goes Out
If the power goes out, turn off all of your appliances if you can do so safely. This will help reduce the power surge when the power comes back on.
Limit Telephone Use
While it may be tempting to make phone calls during the hurricane, it’s important to leave the lines open. If circuits are busy and people need to get through to emergency personnel, it can turn into an ugly situation.
The Eye of the Storm
When the winds die down, don’t automatically assume the hurricane is over. The eye of the storm is calm and quiet, but the winds will pick up again shortly. Keep yourself in your protection zone until you hear otherwise on your emergency radio. Once you receive the okay, you can leave your protection zone and assess whether any damage was done during the hurricane.