This is the beginning of the list. As a Red Cross volunteer who has witnessed many disasters I can highly recommend that you visit the FEMA site listed below for intense and well informed tips.
Remember that a hurricane shelter gives you a bit of floor space amongst many other people. If you have sleeping bags on hand and blankets they will help make your stay more comfortable. The shelter will provide food and beverage. Bring things to entertain your children and yourselves. Remember you may be there for days in a small cramped place. Shelters are not that preasant but they do provide a safe and necessaty place to ride out a storm. Have cash on hand. If electricity goes out you will not have access to banks, ATMs etc. You can have all the money in the world in the back but if you can not access it then it does you no good.
Find a shelter that houses pets and make reservations. See if your local vets have a hurricane safe building. Shelter generally do not allow pets to reside with you.
Plants have their own special needs. You can place flat on ground under eaves and tie in place, brace the best you can, but take cuttings and try to salvage what may be lost.
The tree most important things to do and keep on hand daily are:
1. Prepare a kit
2. Make a plan
3. Stay informed
You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days.
Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. Or, you may have to evacuate at a moments notice and take essentials with you. You probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you need.
A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster.
The kit:
1. WATER
How Much Water do I Need?
You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:
Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
A medical emergency might require additional water.
How Should I Store Water?
To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.
Observe the expiration or "use by" date.
If You are Preparing Your Own Containers of Water
It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on filling the container with water.
If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles  not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.
If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps
Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.
Filling Water Containers
Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place.Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.
2. Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Vitamins
Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs
Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
3. First Aid Supplies
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Triangular bandages (3)
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Thermometer
Tongue blades (2)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen
Non-prescription drugs
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
4. Clothing, Bedding, and Sanitation Supplies
Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies
Clothing and Bedding
If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that you will not have heat.
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Jacket or coat
Long pants
Long sleeve shirt
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Hat, gloves and scarf
Rain gear
Thermal underwear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Sunglasses
Sanitiation
Toilet paper
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
5. Tools
Tools
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual
Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Nonelectric can opener, utility knife
Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating shelters)
6. Special Items
Special Items
Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Baby
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Pacifiers
Powdered milk
Medications
For Adults
Heart and high blood pressure medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses
Hearing aid batteries
Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and companies
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Photocopies of credit and identification cards
Cash and coins.
Entertainment--games and books.
Stay informed links:
1. Stay tuned to your local television and radio stations
2. Keep abreast of the latest hurricane info on line at http://www.nws.noaa.gov
3. Heed your local law enforcement mandates. Your property or things in this world are not worth your life.
4. For assistance with FEMA after the storm and for preparedness info, storm info etc. http://www.fema.gov
5. For information regarding disease outbreaks or warnings -http://www.cdc.gov
bigfoot_liz
scents_from_heavenOriginal Author
Related Discussions
Emergency Preparedness
Q
Preparedness Hint March 5-100 Items to Disappear First
Q
Preparedness Hint - March 7 and 8
Q
Emergency Preparedness
Q
scents_from_heavenOriginal Author
scents_from_heavenOriginal Author
AmberSky