Creating an Evacuation Plan

When Hurricane Irene caused power outages and property damage throughout the east coast, it demonstrated the importance of formulating an evacuation plan in the event of a hurricane. There are several important steps you must take to ensure that you and your family stay safe in an extreme situation.

Bring everything inside

If you have outdoor furniture, tools, children's toys, garbage cans or anything that can fit inside your house or garage, bring them inside immediately. A hurricane may destroy them or fling them through your windows. Do not bother with trimming trees and shrubs unless you have fruit trees on your property. In that case, pick the fruit from the tree and store it so that it does not fly around.

Electricity, water and gas

Turn off the electricity and the water but leave the natural gas on. You are going to need it for cooking and heating when you get home. A licensed professional is required to turn gas back on. It may take weeks to get an appointment with one.

Your belongings

Take inventory of everything you own in case you need to prove what you owned if your belongings are destroyed. If possible, you may want to store as much as you can elsewhere.

What to take with you

When you leave, it is essential to bring a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, prescription medications with copies of the prescriptions, eyeglasses, water, foods that do not need cooking or refrigeration, anything babies or older people may need, changes of clothes, sleeping bags, checks, cash, credit cards and a map. Also take your driver's license or ID, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, birth and marriage certificates, wills, deeds and copies of recent tax returns.

Hopefully, you do not need to use the information presented here. However, never underestimate the possibility that this information could mean the difference between survival and tragedy in the event of a hurricane.