If you need to evacuate

By Carissa Etters
Executive Producer
Published: September 3, 2008

Before You Leave Home…..
- Estimate how long your evacuation route will take
- Shut off water, gas and electricity in home
- Tell someone where you will be going
- Fill your vehicle with gas
- Take cash
- Take a charged cell phone & car charger

Don’t Forget To Pack…..
- Three days worth of clothes
- Baby supplies
- Prescription medications and first aid kit
- Pillows, sheets, inflatable mattress
- Photo ID
- Flashlight and spare batteries

(Note: These are tips on what to do with your pet if you can’t take them on your evacuation route.)

Furry Family Members
-Keep them in a room away from large windows
-Leave plenty of water and large self-feeding bowls
-Large dogs may need to drink from partly filled bath tubs
-Don’t leave any animal outside during a storm

(Note: This is a list of the items you should carry in a zip locked baggie or watertight briefcase. Going into the FS the following is a list that should be photocopied and kept in a place that can’t be touched by the storm.)

Precious Papers
-Birth certificates
-Insurance Policies
-Pictures of all your personal belongings
-Deeds & Mortgages
-Stock Certificates
-Savings and checking account books

Mobile Home Protection
-Steel Anchors
  4 to 5 feet in the ground braced by steel plates
-Check State Building Codes
  Check for number & location for anchors
-Anchors will not prevent wind damage to roof or walls

Water Protection
-Cover the door & floor in front of the door with plastic
-Extend the plastic beyond the edges of the doorway
-Pile sandbags against door & over plastic

What Not To Do
-Don’t tape windows
-Don’t open a window away from wind direction
-Don’t empty in in-ground pool

(Note:  This is for when people choose to not evacuate)

Riding Out the Storm
-Canned & dry foods to last 5 days
-Baby food, diapers, & formula
-Drinking water
-Eating & cooking utensils

-Emergency cooking facilities
-Charcoal or propane for the grill & gas cans
-Manual can opener
-Ice chest

-Cash & credit cards
-First aid kit & manual
-Fire extinguisher
-Toiletries

-Battery operated radio & TV
-Battery operated alarm
-Extra batteries
-1 Flashlight per person

Note:  There’s also an OTS request that’s been submitted, we have copies of all of the requests if you need them for anything.  There is also a special banner & clipper.