Preparing for Hurricanes
If you lose electricty

* Notify the power company immediately if you and your neighbors have lost power.

* Keep a traditional, non-cordless telephone available — it doesn't require household electricity to operate. However, if you have fiber-optic telephone service, you might lose the ability to use the telephone when your home loses power, whether you use a non-cordless telephone or not. Check with your telephone service provider to see if they provide battery backup and consider purchasing an uninterruptible power source for your telephone. Be sure to keep your cell phone charged in case you need to make an emergency phone call.

* Turn off all major appliances. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

* If you have a portable generator, only use it outside in a well-ventilated area, away from doors and windows.

* Traditional analog telephone service carries voice information along a copper line, which also provides power to a non-cordless phone. When you switch to a digital telephone service, one that travels over fiber-optic lines, you lose Currently, Verizon is the only digital service provider that has a four-hour battery backup during an electrical outage. However, after four hours, you will have no telephone service, this applies to you.

Emergency Numbers

Post emergency numbers near or program them into all your phones (fire, police, ambulance, utilities, your physician, etc.). Teach your children how to call these numbers and when it is appropriate to do so. Include emergency numbers for water/sewer, electricity and the National Poison Control Center, (800) 222-1222.
Utilities

Know how, where and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home. Only turn off utilities if authorities instruct you to do so or if you suspect damaged lines. If you do turn off your utilities, do not turn them on again by yourself. You will need a professional to turn them back on.
Fire Extinguisher

Keep a fire extinguisher where you can get to it easily and quickly. Have one on each level of your home, if possible. Be sure everyone knows how to use it, what types of fire it puts out and where it is kept.

Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near the bedroom. Follow local codes and manufacturer’s instructions about installation requirements. Test them monthly and change the batteries once a year.
Escape Routes and Safe Spots

Determine the best escape routes out of your home. Find two ways out of each room. Also, find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster. For example, if a tornado approaches, an interior room without windows on the lowest level is your best safe spot.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared a state of emergency, directing state agencies to take all reasonable actions necessary to protect the health and safety of Virginians from the potentially damaging effects of Tropical Storm Hanna.

"Current forecasts predict Hanna will bring tropical storm force winds to Virginia, causing coastal flooding and the very real possibility of tornadoes and power outages," Governor Kaine said. "Virginians should listen to their local government representatives and local news media for instructions for the duration of the storm."

Preparing for Hurricanes
Evacuation Plan

Check out VDOT's website for hurrican evacuation routes...

* Residents living inland should know where to go if ordered to evacuate their area. Flash floods can develop in a matter of minutes, with little or no warning. Know ahead of time where your family should go to find higher ground.

* Coastal residents should become familiar with their designated evacuation routes and know where they will go if ordered to evacuate. Emergency officials have designated hurricane evacuation routes for Hampton, the Eastern Shore, Norfolk, Poquoson, the Middle Peninsula, the Northern Neck, Virginia Beach and York County. City or county officials will issue a evacuation order if conditions warrant it.

* Identify ahead of time where you could go if you have to leave your home. Choose several places, such as a friend's home in another town, a motel and a shelter.

* Remember that evacuation shelters often do not supply pillows, blankets or sheets. Bring these items with you.

* Animals other than service animals are usually not permitted into evacuation shelters. Make a plan ahead of time with a friend or relative, a veterinarian or a kennel that offers pet sheltering.

* When severe weather is approaching, make sure you emergency supplies kit is nearby and listen to local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions -- you might have only minutes to act.

* Keep the telephone numbers of evacuation shelters with a road map. You may need to take alternate or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.

Be sure to review your evacuation plan regularly to ensure that all of the information contained in it is still up to date. Make sure that all family members are familiar with the plan.

Links:

http://www.readyvirginia.gov

Rappahannock United Way

FEMA

Red Cross

Humane Society

VA Emergency

• Evacuation
• Response

Are You Prepared?
Now is the time to build your own Disaster Supply Kit.

Make sure you have enough of everything to last at least 3 days. Items should be stored in a water proof easy to carry container.

Following a disaster, emergency responders will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. It could take hours or it could even take days for help to arrive. The best way to
cope, until help arrives, is by preparing a Disaster Supplies Kit before disaster strikes.