• Use a NOAA Weather Radio or listen continuously to a local station on a portable, battery-powered radio or television. Hurricanes can change direction, intensity, and speed suddenly. What was a minor threat several hours ago can quickly escalate to a major threat.
  
   
• Heed the advice of City officials, and evacuate if they advise it.
  
   
• Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
  •  City officials may close certain roads, especially near the coast, when effects of the hurricane reach the coast.
    
     
• Prepare your property for high winds. Hurricane winds can lift large, heavy objects and send them crashing into homes. Anything not secured may become a deadly or damaging projectile.
  
   
• Bring lawn furniture inside, as well as outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, or anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
  
   
• Secure your home by closing the windows and doors and then closing the hurricane shutters.
  • If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors.
    
     
• If possible and if it can be safely done, remove outside antennas.
  
   
• Moor a boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure a boat to a trailer. Use tie-downs to anchor a trailer to the ground or to a building.
  
   
• Fill your car's gas tank. If advised to evacuate, you may have to travel a long distance or you may be stuck in traffic for a long time. Gas stations along the route may be closed.
  
   
• Stock up on prescription medications. Stores and pharmacies may be closed after the storm.
  
   
• If you are in a mobile home, check the tie-downs. Mobile homes may be less affected by strong winds if they are tied down according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Properly tied-down homes are more likely to stay fixed to their foundations. Historically, mobile homes suffer the greatest amount of damage during hurricanes. Prior to 1994, most mobile homes were not designed to withstand even moderate winds.
    
     
• Check your Disaster Supplies Kit and foods. Some supplies may need to be replaced or restocked.
  
   
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting.
  • Open them only when absolutely necessary, then close them quickly.
  • Keeping the coldest air in will help perishables last much longer in the event of a power failure.

   

• Store valuables and personal papers in a safety deposit box in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. Hurricanes can cause much water damage inside homes.
  • Protecting valuables in this manner will provide the best security.

   

• Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities. Authorities may ask you to turn off water or electric utilities to prevent damage to your home or within the community.
  • Most of the time they will tell you to leave the gas on because, if you shut if off, a professional is required to turn your gas back on, and it may be several weeks before you receive service.

   

• Turn off propane tanks.
  • Propane tanks may be damaged or dislodged by strong winds or water.
  • Turning them off reduces the fire potential.

   

• Unplug small appliances.
  • Small appliances may be affected by electrical power surges that may occur as the storm approaches.
  • Unplugging them reduces potential damage.
    
     
• Review your evacuation plan.
  • Make sure your planned route is the same as the currently recommended route.
  • Sometimes roads may be closed or blocked, requiring a different route.
    
     
• Stay away from floodwater.
  • If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way.
  • Abandon your vehicle immediately and climb to higher ground if the vehicle becomes surrounded by water or the engine stalls, and if you can safely get out.
  • Most hurricane-related deaths are caused by floods, and most flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water. The depth of water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. Rapidly rising water may stall the engine, engulf the vehicle and its occupants, and sweep them away. Two feet (0.6 meter) of water will carry away most automobiles, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
    
     
• Consider a precautionary evacuation of large or numerous animals. If you think an evacuation might be advised or ordered and if you have large, unusual, or numerous animals, start evacuating them as soon as you are aware of impending danger.