Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

Before
Plan an evacuation route. Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan tells the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters. Learn safe routes inland. Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place. Have these disaster supplies on hand:
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Tool kit
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water (for 3 days)
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• Blankets and pillows
• Extra set of home and car keys
• Vehicle fuel tanks full

Make arrangements for pets. Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters and pet-friendly hotels and shelters. You can also check the Internet for names of pet-friendly accommodations in your area. Prepare pet disaster kits that include:
• Pet registration and immunization records
• Food and water
• Carrier or cage
• Medications
• Leash and/or muzzle

Ensure that family members know what to do after a hurricane. Teach them how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 911, the police or the fire department and which radio station carries emergency information. Your area may have a 311 emergency information number to get up-to-date reports to and report non-life-threatening sitations.
Protect your windows. Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1'2-inch plywood—marine plywood is best—cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 5-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners’ polices do not cover damage from hurricane-caused flooding.
Develop an emergency communication plan. Family members can be separated from one another during a disaster (for example, when adults are at work and children are at school). Have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person. Numbers also can be programmed into family members’ phones.