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National Hurricane Preparedness Month: How to get yourself ready

Posted at 9:26 PM, Sep 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-07 21:27:02-04

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - September is National Hurricane Preparedness Month and with Florence in the Atlantic, this weekend is a good time to prepare for whatever it brings.

The National Hurricane Center recommends building an emergency supply kit and keeping it in a safe place everyone can access. The basics should include:

  • Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Emergency management also recommends knowing your evacuation route. To find out which route you're on, head to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and punch in your address. The website will tell you which zone you're in and how to leave if you're told to do so.

If the above link doesn’t work, click here. You can also call 211.

Click here for more hurricane resources.