{"id":293,"date":"2026-06-10T21:48:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/hurricane-checklist-what-to-do-before-and-after-the-storm\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T16:01:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T16:01:03","slug":"hurricane-checklist-what-to-do-before-and-after-the-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/hurricane-checklist-what-to-do-before-and-after-the-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"Hurricane checklist: What to do before and after the storm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In areas where hurricanes can strike, it&#8217;s a good idea to have a closet or a place set aside for storm preparedness storage. There, you can keep items you&#8217;ll need in case disaster strikes suddenly or you need to evacuate.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s also important to know the difference between a watch and a warning, and when they are issued for tropical storms and hurricanes.<br \/>\nA hurricane warning means hurricane conditions &#8212; sustained winds above 73 mph &#8212; are expected somewhere within the warning area, and it is time to finish preparation to protect people and property. &#8220;Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds&#8221; &#8212; 39 to 73 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Hurricane safety: When the lights go out<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area, and is issued 48 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.<br \/>\nA tropical storm warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere in the designated area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means such conditions are possible within 48 hours.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>What to do as storm approaches:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Download an application to your smartphone that can notify people where you are, and if you need help or are safe. The Red Cross has a Hurricane App available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store as well as a shelter finder app. A first aid app is also available.<\/li>\n<li>Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5\/8-inch plywood.<\/li>\n<li>Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.<\/li>\n<li>Clear gutters of debris.<\/li>\n<li>Reinforce the garage door.<\/li>\n<li>Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.<\/li>\n<li>Fill a bathtub with water.<\/li>\n<li>Get a full tank of gas in one car.<\/li>\n<li>Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.<\/li>\n<li>Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.<\/li>\n<li>Put an ax in your attic in case of severe flooding.<\/li>\n<li>Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes if possible.<\/li>\n<li>Store important documents &#8212; passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds &#8212; in a watertight container.<\/li>\n<li>Have a current inventory of household property.<\/li>\n<li>Leave a note to say where you are going.<\/li>\n<li>Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.<\/li>\n<li>If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for the residence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>List of supplies:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.<\/li>\n<li>Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy\/protein bars, trail mix\/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.<\/li>\n<li>A can opener.<\/li>\n<li>Flashlight(s).<\/li>\n<li>A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.<\/li>\n<li>Extra batteries.<\/li>\n<li>A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap\/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin\/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly.<\/li>\n<li>A small fire extinguisher.<\/li>\n<li>Whistles for each person.<\/li>\n<li>A seven-day supply of medications.<\/li>\n<li>Vitamins.<\/li>\n<li>A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.<\/li>\n<li>Cell phones and chargers.<\/li>\n<li>Contact information for the family.<\/li>\n<li>A sleeping bag for each person.<\/li>\n<li>Extra cash.<\/li>\n<li>A silver foil emergency blanket.<\/li>\n<li>A map of the area.<\/li>\n<li>Baby supplies.<\/li>\n<li>Pet supplies.<\/li>\n<li>Wet wipes.<\/li>\n<li>A camera (to document storm damage).<\/li>\n<li>Insect repellent.<\/li>\n<li>Rain gear.<\/li>\n<li>Tools and supplies for securing your home.<\/li>\n<li>Plastic sheeting.<\/li>\n<li>Duct tape.<\/li>\n<li>Dust masks.<\/li>\n<li>An extra set of house keys.<\/li>\n<li>An extra set of car keys.<\/li>\n<li>An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.<\/li>\n<li>Household bleach.<\/li>\n<li>Paper cups, plates and paper towels.<\/li>\n<li>Activities for children.<\/li>\n<li>Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>What to do after the storm arrives:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Continue listening to a NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.<\/li>\n<li>Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.<\/li>\n<li>Use the Facebook Safety Check to let family and friends know you&#8217;re safe.<\/li>\n<li>If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.<\/li>\n<li>Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.<\/li>\n<li>Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.<\/li>\n<li>Stay out of any building that has water around it.<\/li>\n<li>Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.<\/li>\n<li>Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it&#8217;s not contaminated.<\/li>\n<li>Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.<\/li>\n<li>Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.<\/li>\n<li>Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.<\/li>\n<li>Use the telephone only for emergency calls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong>: American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center<\/p>\n<p>by CNN Staff, September 5, 2018<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2012\/08\/27\/us\/hurricane-preparation\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2012\/08\/27\/us\/hurricane-preparation\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In areas where hurricanes can strike, it&#8217;s a good idea to have a closet or a place set aside for storm preparedness storage. There, you can keep items you&#8217;ll need in case disaster strikes suddenly or you need to evacuate. It&#8217;s also important to know the difference between a watch and a warning, and when [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":409,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293\/revisions\/409"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging8.dynaserverx.com\/cypressinsuranceteam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}