The American Red Cross of South Central Mississippi has issued a comprehensive list of steps to take to increase hurricane preparedness for you and your family. For more information on the Red Cross, please visit www.southcentralmsredcross.org

Know What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
Prepare for High Winds

Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued
Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING IS Issued
Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over

• WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.
• WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

• Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places – a friend’s home in another town, a motel or a shelter. Call someone outside the area, tell them your plan
• Keep the phone numbers of these places handy as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Take these items with you when evacuating:
• Prescription medications and medical supplies
• Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
• Car keys and maps
• Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
• Cash. Banks and ATMs may not be open
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• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least one gallon of water per person per day for five days.
• Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.
• Cash. Banks and ATMs may not be open if power is out.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn them back on.)
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• Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut ½” outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.
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• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
• Prepare to bring inside lawn furniture, outdoor items, trash cans, hanging plants, items that can be picked up by the wind.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.
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• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
• Complete preparation activities.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
• Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. Trees, shrubs, buildings and other objects damaged by or destroyed by the second winds.
• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.
• Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way.
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• Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
• If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. Call the people outside your area as soon as you can to let them know you are safe.
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
• Learn more from Red Cross printed info on Power Outage Safety, Food Safety, Chainsaw Safety, Portable Generator Safety and Water Treatment.
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  Information courtesy of the South Central American Red Cross, retrieved from www.southcentralmsredcross.org/.