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Hurricane Sandy: Are You Ready For the Storm?

The American Red Cross issued the following preparedness checklist.

  • October 27, 2012
 

Are you ready for Hurricane Sandy? 

How about Frankenstorm?

Or maybe Superstorm?

Whatever you call it, forcasters say its coming.

The American Red Cross issued a checklist for residents as they prepare for Sandy’s potential landfall next week.  

Just as the Red Cross is preparing for Hurricane Sandy, people in New Jersey should take the threat of Sandy seriously and take steps now to be prepared – build a kit, make a plan and be informed. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of hurricanes, which may bring flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes.

The Red Cross recommends that residents have the following things ready in case Hurricane Sandy makes its way to New Jersey. 

Get or assemble an emergency preparedness kit:

A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. Check your kit and replace perishable stock every six months. Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:

  • Water - one gallon per person, per day.
  • Food - non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, and canned fruit. Make sure to include a manual can opener.
  • A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
  • A first aid kit.
  • Prescription and non-prescription medication items. Include medical supplies like extra hearing aid batteries, syringes, etc.
  • Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards.
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
  • Extra cash. ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.
  • Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
  • One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowls).

Prepare a family evacuation plan:

Each and every household should develop a household disaster plan.

  • Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.
  • Identify two meeting places; One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
  • Be sure to make advanced preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact hotels, motels, family members and animal shelters to see if they would allow pets in a disaster situation. Keep a contact list of “pet friendly” locations. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with you.
  • Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person’s phone number and email address.
  • Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water and electricity at the main switches. Turn gas off only if instructed by local authorities. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can turn it back on.
  • Plan your evacuation route. Use local maps and identify alternate evacuation routes from home, work and/or school. Know where you are going and how you plan to get there before you leave home.

Be informed:

  • Find out what types of disaster are likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for each.
  • Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions and follow the advice of local authorities.
  • If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.

Know what to do if a hurricane WATCH is issued:

  • Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
  • Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
  • Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or plywood.
  • If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.
  • Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
  • Check your disaster supplies kit to make sure items have not expired.

Know what to do if a hurricane WARNING is issued:

  • Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
  • If in a manufactured home, check tie-downs and evacuate as told by local authorities.
  • Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
  • If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
  • Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
  • If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.

  • Are you prepared for the impendng storm?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes. I have everything on the checklist and more.
        3 (60%)
    • No. And I am scrambling!
        1 (20%)
    • The storm isn't going to be a big deal, so I am not worried.
        1 (20%)
    Total votes: 5
    • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: American Red Cross, Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, and Superstorm

CAMERON

1:32 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

I am always ready. Way ahead of time. I buy extra food. Where I go to the store. No matter what comes I am ready

Reply
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GW

2:32 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

No matter what, are you sure? I bet you can't beat Rachael's [see comment below]underground bunker, Zombie-apocalypse-wise!

Bruce Ruck

2:20 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012

NJ Poison experts at the NJ Poison Center 800 222 1222 urge extreme caution with gas generators usid during power outages. DO not become a statistic of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Protect yourself if the storm hits. Use caution with gas powered generators and more helpful hints from the NJ Poison Experts. 24/7 365 will get you to a live NJ Poison Expert. Do not waste time searching the Internet if you need a fast accurate response call us at 800 222 1222 http://njpies.org/PDFs/News-and-Events/Press-Releases/2012/Storm_CO-Poisoning-(Oct2012).pdf

Reply

Rachael

9:49 am on Sunday, October 28, 2012

I always keep extra provisions for whatever occasion arises. I have a bumnker under my shed with massive amounts of water, food, and oxygen tanks lay as well as full out stocked bunk beds and pumpable bathroom. Needless to say, when the zombie apocalypse or World War III happens, Ill be charging massive amounts for access to my bunkers.

Reply

Lux

2:24 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012

Since power outages are inevitable having a long run time flashlight is a good idea.

Lowes has a 65 hour run time flashlight for under $5.00

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Flashlight-Mod-Increases-Run-Time-36X/?allstep

I got mine in store. I also got one at Target. You can never have too many flashlights.

More:

http://armageddononline.org/forums/threads/34318-Cheap-long-run-time-flashlights

Or go micro solar for under $50.00.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Uses-For-Dead-Car-Batteries-And-Sealed-Lead-Acid-B/?allstep

Emergency Led Lighting Made Ridiculously Simple:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Emergency-Led-Lighting-Made-Ridiculously-Simple/?allstep

Got stored water?

Reply

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