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Hurricane preparedness guide

In the event of an evacuation, to avoid leaving your home unprepared, experts recommend creating an emergency "ready-to-go" kit - also known as a "go kit" or "go bag." 
The following items should be among the supplies in your go kit. Put them in a backpack or duffle bag, and keep them near a front door or exit, to be ready in case you have to leave with little advance warning. 
-Prescription medications and medical supplies 
-Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows 
-Eyeglasses, personal care items 
-Bottled water, battery-operated or hand-cranked radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight 
-Car keys and maps 
-Documents, including driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc., in a water-proof bag 
-A change of clothing, rainwear, sturdy shoes and protective gloves. 
-Special items for infants, older persons,pets or persons with special needs 
-Flip-flops (If you are directed to an emergency shelter, they will guard against foot-borne diseases)

Hurricane preparedness - Go kit

Making a "Ready-to-go" kit

First aid kit

EMERGENCY KIT

One of the essentials of storm preparedness is a well-stocked&nbsp;first aid kit. You can buy a pre-assembled first aid kit at the local drugstore. Or you can custom-make your own kit. Your home first aid kit should include personal items such as medications, emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. 
HERE ARE ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN FIRST AID KITS FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR:&nbsp; 
--2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches) --25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes) --1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch) --5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram) --5 antiseptic wipe packets --2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each) --1 blanket (space blanket) --1 instant cold compress --2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large) --2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each) --Scissors --1 roller bandage (3 inches wide) --1 roller bandage (4 inches wide) --5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches) --5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches) --Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass) --2 triangular bandages --First aid instruction booklet --Tweezers

hurricane preparedness - first aid

What to include in a first aid kit

first aid kit - crop

FEMA defines the following terms to help identify a hurricane hazard: 
 Tropical Cyclone: A warm-core non-frontal synoptic-scale cyclone, originating over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined center. Once formed, a tropical cyclone is maintained by the extraction of heat energy from the ocean at high temperature and heat export at the low temperatures of the upper troposphere. 
 Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 38 mph (33 knot) or less. 
 Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 39 mph (34 knots) to 73 mph (63 knots). 
 Hurricane: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 74 mph (64 knots) or more. 
 Storm surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide. Storm surge can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastline. 
 Storm tide: The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge. 
 Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. 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. 
 Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. 
 Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours. 
 Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours. 
 Short Term Watches and Warnings: These watches/warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

hurricane preparedness - know the terms

Know the hurricane terms

tropical storm tracking map cropped

FEMA provides the following tips for managing water during an emergency: 
 Allow people to drink according to their needs. 
 Many people need even more than the average of one gallon per day. The individual amount needed depends on age, physical activity, physical condition and time of year. 
 Never ration drinking water unless ordered to do so by authorities. 
 Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. Under no circumstances should a person drink less than one quart (four cups) of water each day. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool. 
 Drink water that you know is not contaminated first. 
 If necessary, suspicious water, such as cloudy water from regular faucets or water from streams or ponds, can be used after it has been treated. If water treatment is not possible, put off drinking suspicious water as long as possible, but do not become dehydrated. 
 Do not drink carbonated beverages instead of drinking water. 
 Carbonated beverages do not meet drinking-water requirements. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water. 
 Turn off the main water valves. 
 You will need to protect the water sources already in your home from contamination if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines or if local officials advise you of a problem. To close the incoming water source, locate the incoming valve and turn it to the closed position. Be sure you and your family members know how to perform this important procedure. 
 Safe sources of water: 
 -Melted ice cubes. -Liquids from canned goods such as fruit or vegetables. -Water drained from pipes. To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your home at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet in the home. -Water drained from the water heater. To use water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve at the tank and turning on the hot-water faucet. After you are notified that clean water has been restored, you will need to refill the tank before turning the gas or electricity back on. If the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on. 
 Unsafe sources of water: 
 -Radiators Hot water boilers (home heating systems). -Water from the toilet bowl or flush tank. -Water beds. Fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the vinyl may make water unsafe to use. -Swimming pools and spas. Chemicals used to kill germs are too concentrated for safe drinking but can be used for personal hygiene, cleaning and related uses. 
 If you need to treat suspicious water: 
 There are many ways to treat water. None is perfect. Often the best solution is a combination of methods. Before treating, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom or strain them through coffee filters or layers of clean cloth. Make sure you have the necessary materials in your disaster supplies kit for the chosen water treatment method. 
 -Boiling: Boiling is the safest method of treating water. In a large pot or kettle, bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking. 
 Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers. This also will improve the taste of stored water. 
 -Chlorination: You can use household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 to 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners. Because the potency of bleach diminishes with time, use bleach from a newly opened or unopened bottle. 
 Add 16 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight bleach odor. If it doesn’t, then repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes. If it still does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water. 
 Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 or 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used. 
 -Distillation: While boiling and chlorination will kill most microbes in water, distillation will remove microbes (germs) that resist these methods, as well as heavy metals, salts and most other chemicals. Distillation involves boiling water and then collection of only the vapor that condenses. The condensed vapor will not include salt or most other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. 
 Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

Hurricane preparedness - water tips

Water tips

bottled water

In the event of a major storm, Long Island’s municipalities may have their own emergency plans and evacuation procedures. Listed below are important phone numbers and websites for you to contact for storm preparedness information. 
Nassau County Office of&nbsp;Emergency Management 
516-573-0636 
www.nassaucountyny.gov 
City of Long Beach 
516-431-1000 
www.longbeachny.org 
City of Glen Cove 
516-676-2000 
www.glencove-li.us 
Town of Hempstead 
516-489-5000 
www.townofhempstead.org 
Town of North Hempstead 
516-869-6311 
www.northhempstead.com 
Town of Oyster Bay 
516-677-5757 
www.oysterbaytown.com 
Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management 
631-852-4900 
www.suffolkcountyny.gov 
Town of Babylon 
631-957-3000 
www.townofbabylon.com 
Town of Brookhaven 
631-451-TOWN 
631-451-9200 (downed trees) 
www.brookhaven.org 
Town of East Hampton 
631-324-4141 
631-324-0925 (roadway obstructions) 
www.town.east-hampton.ny.us 
Town of Huntington 
631-499-0444 (downed trees and snow-clearing issues) 
www.huntingtonny.gov 
Town of Islip 
631-224-5730&nbsp;(emergency management) 
www.townofislip-ny.gov 
Town of Riverhead 
631-727-3200 
www.townofriverheadny.gov 
Town of Southold 
631-765-2784 (emergency management) 
www.southoldtownny.gov 
Town of Smithtown 
631-360-7514 (downed trees) 
631-360-7500 (highway) 
631-360-7553 (Public Safety Department) 
www.smithtowninfo.com 
Town of Southampton 
631-283-6000 
www.southamptontownny.gov 
Town of Shelter Island 
631-749-0600 (police) 
www.shelterislandtown.us 
PSEG Long Island 
www.psegliny.com 
To report an outage/downed power lines: 
800-490-0075 
National Grid&nbsp;(gas emergency line) 
1-800-490-0045 
American Red Cross&nbsp;(Long Island) 
516-747-3500 
www.redcross.org 
American Red Cross Greater New York Region 
1-877-REDCROSS (733-2767) 
www.nyredcross.org 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
1-800-621-FEMA 
www.fema.gov 
National Hurricane Center 
www.nhc.noaa.gov 
National Weather Service 
www.weather.gov 
The Weather Channel 
www.weather.com 
NYS Office of Emergency Management 
518-292-2275 
Suffolk County Emergency Management 
631-852-4900 
Nassau County Emergency Management 
516-573-0636 
http://www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/ 
www.semo.state.ny.us 
National Flood Insurance program 
www.floodsmart.com 
1-800-621-3362 
Disaster Assistance 
www.disasterassistance.gov 
1-800-621-FEMA 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
1-800-BE-READY 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) 
&nbsp; 
Call 911 only if you are in immediate danger, for serious injury or medical condition, fire, or if you witness a crime in progress. Do not call 911 for non-emergencies or to report a power outage.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Information from Newsday's storm preparedness guide. View the full Nassau guide: <a href="http://bit.ly/13JbN8V">http://bit.ly/13JbN8V</a> View the full Suffolk guide: <a href="http://bit.ly/17zRKrb">http://bit.ly/17zRKrb</a>

Emergency preparedness - Who to call

Who to call in a weather emergency

ap storm -- crop

Storm preparedness guide

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