Hurricane Quick Tips

15 Things to do before a hurricane hits

You'll want to make sure you have important emergency documents and other items kept in a waterproof container when planning ahead for a hurricane disaster.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Preparing for a hurricane means having a survival kit ready, knowing your evacuation route, and planning for flooding.

Here’s a list of 15 things to do before a hurricane hits with tips provided by North Carolina Emergency Management.

Build an emergency kit.
Make a family communications plan.
Know you’re the routes you need to leave your home (evacuation routes). Locate your local emergency shelters.
Closely watch/listen to the weather reports. Listening every hour as the storm nears.
Put fuel in all vehicles and withdraw some cash from the bank. Gas stations and ATMs may be closed after a hurricane.
If authorities ask you to leave, do so quickly.
If you leave (evacuate), be alert to flooded or washed-out roads. Just a few inches of water can float a car. Think: Turn Around, Don't Drown.
Keep a photo I.D. that shows your home address. You will need it when asking police if it is okay for you to re-enter your area or home.
Secure your property.
Bring inside all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
Cover windows with permanent storm shutters or board up windows with 5/8” plywood, cut and ready to install. Tape does not stop windows from breaking.
Put in straps or extra clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will lower roof damage.
Trim trees and shrubs around your home, so they are more wind resistant.
Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Reinforce garage doors. If wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.

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