Know What To Do In The Event of a Hurricane Emergency

Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Pets depend on us for their safety and well-being, so be sure to include them in your family emergency plan. If you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them with you.

In an emergency, remember that pets can react differently under stress, so be sure to have your dogs securely leashed and transport your cats in pet carriers.

Do not leave your animals unattended where they can run off, and don't turn them loose during an emergency. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite and scratch.

Be sure that your dogs and cats are wearing collars with up-to-date rabies and identification tags that are securely fastened. Consider having your pet microchipped in case your pet become loose and loses his or her collar or tags.

For information on local animal shelters, contact the City of Raleigh Animal Control at 919-831-6311 or Wake County Animal Control 919-212-7387.

• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
• Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
• In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day 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.

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

Homeowners are advised to review their current insurance policy and become familiar with what is and is not covered, as damage due to flooding is typically not covered. Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program for your home and/or business and its contents. Talking to an agent also will provide answers as to what flood insurance does and does not cover. There is a usually a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins and coverage is relatively inexpensive. Renters can buy flood insurance and/or contents coverage for personal belongings or business inventory. Landlords are only responsible for insurance on buildings. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) website, www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.

A Hurricane Watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.

• Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
• Check emergency supplies.
• Fuel car.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.

(A Hurricane Warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.)

• Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
• If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately.
• Avoid elevators.

If at home:

• Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
• Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
• If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored

If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:

• Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges. Cars can become buoyant when water depth reaches one foot, and velocities of 8 to 10 feet per second will sweep a person off of their feet.
• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
• Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
• If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
• Take pre-assembled emergency supplies, warm protective clothing, blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
• Lock up home and leave.

• Stay tuned to local radio for information.
• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
• Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution. Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Use telephone only for emergency calls.

Inspecting Utilities In A Damaged Home

• Check for gas leaks – If you smell gas or hear blowing or a hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Call 911 and turn off the gas at the outside main valve if possible. Call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
• Look for electrical system damage – If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first.
• Check for sewage and water lines damage – If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

If you are driving and the road has water flowing over it, you need to remember the National Weather Service’s warning: “Turn Around – Don’t Drown”. Never drive on a road with water covering it and never drive around barriers blocking a flooded road or it could cost you your life. When flood waters cross a road a driver does not know how deep the water is or if the road bed is still intact. It only takes about six inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet, and as little as 18 inches of water to sweep an automobile downstream. Once a vehicle becomes buoyant; the water will easily push it sideways. Most vehicles will then tend to roll over, potentially trapping those inside.

If you have ever experienced flooding problems, contact the Stormwater Utility Division to request an inspection. An inspector will meet with you to suggest possible ways to reduce flood damage. In order to assist citizens with existing stormwater concerns, the City of Raleigh has established a drainage assistance policy. Under the policy, the City will provide technical design and cost-sharing assistance, if the owner is willing to provide necessary easements and share in the cost of the repairs. To report drainage issues and concerns, citizens should contact the Stormwater Utility Division by phone at 919-996-3940 or via email at: StormwaterUtilityHelpingU@raleighnc.gov.

For more information on emergency preparation, visit the the City of Raleigh's Resources for Emergency Prepardness webpage, Federal Emergency Management Agency website, Wake County Emergency Management website, or the State of North Carolina Emergency website.