Prepare for Hurricane Season

Preparing For a Hurricane

Hurricanes can pop up at any time, and it is crucial to make sure that you and your family are prepared to stay safe. Know your area’s evacuation plan can help alleviate some stress in the event of an evacuation. Making a plan ahead of time is an excellent tool to ensure that you have everything you need. Planning ahead is also essential if you or a family member have any disabilities that could require extra assistance.

Act Now

The skilled nurses at Signature Health Services will contact our patients to advise them to stock up on medications and supplies, food, and water in the event of a hurricane or natural disaster. However, we all need to be prepared.
The Red Cross lists the following items as necessary or desirable for your Hurricane Preparation Kit. Hurricanes can occur at any time, and it is not too late to gather these items, but you need to act now. If you are homebound, please ask family, neighbors, or friends to purchase the supplies you need. It would help if you also considered using a grocery delivery service like Instacart.com.

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Pet Supplies
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• Deluxe family first aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents in a water-proof casing (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Masks

Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. For those who can afford it, making essential purchases and slowly building up supplies in advance will allow extended periods between shopping trips. Advanced preparations also protect those who are unable to procure essentials beforehand and must shop more frequently. Only take the items you and your family may need so that others who rely on these products can also access them.

Consider the special needs of all your family members and add supplies to your kit:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat, and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Keep an eye out for weather warnings and alerts

Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)- which requires no-sign up.