Hurricane Preparation Tips

Hurricane Preparation Tips

For Sandy Super Storm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers tips on how to prepare for Hurricane Sandy and other tropical storms. Sandy is expected to be especially disastrous when it merges with a winter storm system, bringing powerful winds, rain, snow and storm surge along the Eastern Seaboard.

Before the hurricane:

— Know your surroundings and whether your home is in a flood prone area. Determine where you would go — and how you would get there — if you were ordered to evacuate

— Cover your home's windows, either with permanent storm shutters or marine plywood at least 5/8 of an inch thick

— Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well-trimmed

— Clear clogged rain gutters

— Secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans and anything else that could blow away.

— Install a generator for emergencies

During:

— Listen to the radio or TV for information

— Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors

— Turn off propane tanks

— Avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies

— Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water

— Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors

Do not:

— Drive into low-lying areas or over roads and bridges that are already under water

If evacuating, bring:
— Checkbooks
— Driver's license
— Credit card information
— Birth certificates
— Social Security cards
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Source: FEMA.

How to Prepare Your Pets

Friday, October 26, 2012 - 11:45am

ASPCA Disaster Response

Breaking Update, 10/27/12: In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy’s landfall early Tuesday, the ASPCA wants to remind New York City residents that all evacuation shelters accept pets. Please take your animals with you if you need to evacuate.

To locate your evacuation zone, please check the OEM's Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder (or call 311), and the site will direct you to the proper facility.

Low-lying areas of the city that are most at risk for flooding and other damage are designated as “Zone A” and include: Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Far Rockaway and Broad Channel in Queens; South Beach; Midland Beach; low-lying areas on Staten Island; and Battery Park City in Manhattan.

Here are some ways you can prepare for a major storm:

Get a Rescue Alert Sticker for your home. By posting a sticker similar to the one found in the ASPCA Pet Safety Pack in an easy-to-see location, rescue workers will be alerted that there are pets in your home. You should include the number and types of pets present, as well as your veterinarian’s contact information.

Choose a safe haven. First, decide which room in your home will be the safest spot to ride out the storm. Then, know in advance where you can take your family and pets in case of evacuation. Check with evacuation centers and area hotels to find a pet-friendly location. In New York and New Jersey, all evacuation centers are required to accept animals.

IDs, please! Make sure your pet is wearing collars and ID tags with up-to-date identification. This is the perfect time to have your pet micro-chipped if you have not already done so.

Stock up. Make sure you have plenty of food—for humans and pets!—water, medications, batteries, first aid kits and other emergency supplies on hand in case of a power outage.

Stay indoors.  At the first sign of danger, bring your pets indoors and keep them with you.

For more information, check out our complete list of disaster preparedness tips.

The ASPCA will continue to monitor the storm’s progress. Be sure to check our blog, and visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for breaking updates.

http://blog.aspca.org/content/how-prepare-your-pets-hurricane-sandy