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Hurricane Preparedness Week

It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week! Now is a good time to plan how to protect your family during these powerful storms in advance of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1. The How to Prepare for a Hurricane guide from America’s PrepareAthon! provides valuable information about planning for evacuation and shelter, and how to avoid flood waters and high winds during a hurricane. Taking a few simple, but important actions now can help you weather the storm and keep you and your family safe.

• If you are in the path of a major hurricane, authorities may advise you to evacuate from your home. On page 9 of the How to Prepare for a Hurricane guide, you’ll find protective actions related to evacuation, including:
• If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it at all times;
• Leave early to avoid delays caused by long lines, high winds, and flooding;
• Follow official posted evacuation routes and do not try to take short cuts because roads may be blocked; and
• Remember the Five P’s of Evacuation – People, Prescriptions, Papers, Personal Needs, and Priceless Items. 

If you are in an area without an evacuation notice, take shelter from high winds and flood waters by following these tips: 

• Stay inside away from windows and glass doors. If you are in a mobile home or temporary structure, move to a sturdy building;
• For protection against high winds, go to a FEMA Safe Room, an ICC 500 storm shelter, or a small, interior, windowless room such as a bathroom or closet, on the lowest level not likely to flood; and
• If you are in an area that is flooding, move to a location on higher ground before floodwaters prevent your ability to leave.  

Stay safe during and after a hurricane by avoiding floodwaters on roads, walkways, bridges, and on the ground. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not attempt to cross floodwater! The depth of the water is not always obvious; flood waters can hide damaged and washed out roadways, and only a few inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and a foot of water can sweep away a large vehicle.   

Take your disaster preparedness to the next level! America’s PrepareAthon! has valuable resources to prepare for hurricanes, floods, earthquakes,wildfires, tornadoes, and winter storms.