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Damaging Winds/Hurricanes Precautionary Measures (after warning has been received). Keep your radio and/or television on and listen for the latest weather reports and advisories. If power fails, use portable battery-powered radios or your car radio. Check your battery-powered equipment. Your radio may be your most essential item. Emergency cooking facilities and flashlights should also be checked. Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters or tape. Danger to small windows is mainly from wind-driven debris. Larger windows may be broken by wind pressure. To relieve wind pressure, open windows about one inch at opposite ends of the home. Secure outdoor objects that might be blown away or uprooted. Garbage cans, garden tools, signs, porch furniture, and a number of other harmless items become missiles of destruction in gale-force winds. Anchor them or store them inside before the storm strikes. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers, such as jugs, bottles, etc.; these may be needed if water supplies become contaminated due to wind damage. Keep your car fueled. Service stations may be inoperable after the storm strikes due to interrupted electrical power. If you live in a mobile home or other nonpermanent dwelling, prepare to evacuate to a designated shelter. Remain indoors during the storm itself, (staying away from windows) and in the most reinforced area of the home. Travel can be extremely dangerous during high winds. Safe Measures (after passage of damaging winds) Remain at home or in shelters until informed by local officials that it is safe to leave. Keep tuned to your radio or television for instructions on; Where to go to obtain necessary medical care in your area. · Where to go for necessary emergency assistance for housing, clothing, and food. Ways to help yourself and your community recover from the emergency. Use extreme caution in entering or working in buildings that may have been damaged or weakened by the disaster; they may collapse without warning. Also, there may be gas leaks or electrical short circuits. Don't take lanterns, torches, or other flame sources into buildings that have been damaged by wind; there may be leaking gas lines or flammable material present. Use battery-powered flashlights, spotlights, etc. Stay away from fallen or damaged electric wires; these may still be dangerous. Notify the utility company, the police, or the fire department. Check for leaking gas pipes in your home. Do this by smell--don't use matches or candles. If you smell gas: Open all windows and doors. . Turn off the main gas valve at the meter. A tool for this purpose should be stored chained to or near the gas meter. Leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company or the police. Don't re-enter the house until you are told it is safe to do so. If any of your electrical appliances are wet, first turn off the main power switch in your house, then unplug the wet appliance, dry it out, reconnect it, and turn on the main power switch. Do not do any of these things while you are wet or standing in water. If a fuse is blown when the electric power is restored, turn off the main power switch again, then inspect for short circuits in your home wiring, appliances, and equipment. Check your food and water supplies before using them. Foods that require refrigeration may be spoiled if electric power has been off for some time. Also, do not use fresh food that has come in contact with flood waters. Stay away from disaster areas. Sightseeing could interfere with first-aid or rescue work and may be dangerous as well. Don't drive unless necessary, but if you must, drive with caution. Watch for hazards to yourself and others and report them to local police or fire departments. Report broken sewer or water mains to the local water department. Back to the Preparing For Emergencies page.