The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. There are several basic precautions you should take. Have a look at the information below from the Glynn County Website. Feel free to print this page and check these items off as you complete them. For more information visit www.glynncounty.org or your county's website.
Preseason Preparedness
___Learn the storm surge history and possibilities in your area.
___Know the elevation of your property.
___Know the evacuation zone in which you live.
___Study the information in this pamphlet, and be sure each family member is familiar with it also.
___Decide on a destination ahead of time and make sure everyone knows that destination.
___Have a point of contact (telephone number) away from the danger area where relatives can call to check on you, i.e., relative or friend.
___Review your insurance policies, homeowners does not cover flood damage.
___Purchase flood insurance from your agent.
___Take an inventory of your personal property for insurance and/or tax deduction reasons and keep it in a safe place. If possible take pictures or video your belongings.
___Keep your immunizations for tetanus up to date.
___Make sure your house is in good repair, especially the roof and windows.
___Trim back dead wood from trees.
___Make sure you have a good portable radio, several flashlights, spare batteries and bulbs.
___Buy materials to board your windows and doors. Have it cut to size and identified as to where it will be used before hand.
___Purchase a can of lime to sterilize garbage and refuse.
___Keep family car in good repair.
___Keep important papers, pictures and keepsakes in a box ready to move on short notice.
When a Hurricane Watch is Issued for Your Area
A hurricane watch is issued for a coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24 - 36 hours. When you hear the announcement, you should:
___Stay tuned to you LOCAL radio or TV station for bulletins.
___Ensure vehicle gas tanks are full.
___Moor small craft or move to safe shelter. Small boat trailers should be tied down securely, with boats lashed to trailers and filled with water.
___Check supplies of medications and drugs.
___Lower TV and radio antennas to avoid contact with electrical wires.
___Secure furniture, garbage cans, and other loose items outside
.___Check mobile home tie-downs.
___Tape, board and shutter windows to prevent shattering.
___Obtain tools and materials for emergency home repairs.
___Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from their tracks.
___Ensure batteries for portable radio and flashlights are fresh.
___Spare bulbs for flashlights.
___Stock up on canned provisions and non-perishable foods. Don't forget non-electric can openers.
___Check mobile home tie-downs.
When a Hurricane Warning is Issued for Your Area
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. When you hear the announcement, you should:
___Stay tuned to your LOCAL radio or TV station for official bulletins. DON'T LISTEN TO RUMORS!
___Board up windows, garage and porch doors. Large windows should be braced inside and out. Plywood with a minimum thickness of 1/2 inch should be used. Taping of windows will lessen the chance of flying glass, but will not prevent breakage.
___Turn refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold and don't open unless necessary.
___Bring inside all toys, furniture, garbage cans, hanging plants, etc.
___Check your supply of canned heat or charcoal for cooking. NOTE: DO NOT USE CHARCOAL FOR INSIDE COOKING.
___Fill containers with several days supply of drinking water, including a sterilized bathtub. Clean, large plastic garbage cans are also good.
___Move valuables to upper floors to avoid water damage.
___Stay indoors on the downwind side of the house, with a window on that side opened.
___Leave mobile homes, after you have checked tie-downs, secured the shutters, and removed awnings.
___Use telephone only in emergencies.
___Beware of the calm in the eye, it only lasts a few minutes, and the reversal of wind direction as the eye passes.
If You are Ordered to Evacuate
If you are ordered to EVACUATE, quickly secure your home and LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Follow evacuation orders no matter what the weather looks like at the time. It may be sunny and calm when the evacuation order comes, but this lead time is NECESSARY to insure your safety. If you have any doubts about the order call (912) 267.5678.
Voluntary Evacuation: Destination and route is your choice - relative, friend, motel. Take items as listed below.
Mandatory Evacuation: Rarely issued, but must be adhered to immediately.No choice in direction of travel, roads will be barricaded. Take items as listed below. Evacuating to a Friend or Relative's Home. If you plan to evacuate to a friend or relative's home, let family members and friends know where you are going and the phone number where you can be reached. If you are going to evacuation centers in host cities, check the information concerning shelters and routes. Evacuation to a Designated Reception Center-Follow the designated routes to the reception centers shown on the enclosed map or in the phone book. You will be expected to register as soon as you arrive at the reception center. You are required to keep the premises clean and sanitary. REMEMBER Baby diapers, adult diapers, and sanitary napkins are items that are forgotten most often, and are also the items that are the hardest to find during and after a disaster.
First, SECURE YOUR HOME by taking the actions listed for a HURRICANE WATCH and HURRICANE WARNING and shut off the gas valves. In all cases, take the following items with you whether going to a motel, a friend or relatives home, or a shelter:
___Flashlight with extra batteries and a bulb.
___Blankets, pillow, and/or sleeping bag for each person.
___Extra clothing for each family member.
___Medication, such as insulin, blood pressure, etc. Bring enough for two weeks. Even after you get back, they may not be available.
___Infant support items such as formula, diapers, pins, baby foods, etc. Plan on enough for two weeks. They may not be available after you get back.
___Plastic containers of drinking water.
___Non-perishable food, such as canned goods and snacks.
___Personal items, toothbrush and paste, wash cloth, towel. Women should remember sanitary napkins. Adult diapers as needed.
___Any non-perishable foods needed for special diets.
___Non-destructive toys for children, games, and books.
___Do not bring alcoholic beverages, guns, or pets to the shelter.
If You Need Assistance, If you have a medical problem and will need assistance, call the Glynn County Health Department, office of Community Services and give them your name, address, and phone number NOW, not when the storm is approaching. Your name and address on the Agency's list will assure that you receive assistance in evacuating if the need should arise. The phone number for the agency is (912) 264.3961. If you change residence, please call and give the agency your new address.
If You Stay in Your Home: If you are not ordered to evacuate, stay inside your home. There are several actions you should take to insure your safety throughout the storm:
___While storm winds blow, STAY INSIDE. Keep a window cracked on the side AWAY from the wind. Be sure to close that window when the wind direction changes, and open one on the other side. Wind direction will change as the eye passes by
___Do not use electrical appliances during the storm, you could be electrocuted.
___CONSERVE REFRIGERATION. Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest position. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly. Refrigerators and freezers will stay cold longer when filled with food and these precautions are taken. You will be advised where you can get ice if the emergency is prolonged. If resumption of electrical power is delayed, find a neighbor with a gas stove and cook your frozen food. Make sure there are no gas leaks
.___An emergency supply of water is even more important than food, especially for infants and the elderly. One gallon of water per person per day is the recommended minimum for drinking and food preparation. Use paper or plastic plates to eliminate the need of using water to wash dirty dishes.
___If the storm center passes your area, there will be a calm period or lull lasting from several minutes to a couple of hours. Wind and rain may cease completely, but do not be fooled. DO NOT GO OUT. DO NOT BE A CURIOSITY SEEKER. The wind will resume from the opposite direction, often with greater force than before. Wait for official word that it is safe for you to leave your home. Listen only to local radio stations for information. If you listen to stations in another town, the situations will be different and the information will be difference different.
___After the storm, be cautious of every move. Watch for wild animals and snakes that have been driven out of their refuge by the storm. Do not touch fallen or low hanging wires of any kind, under any circumstances. Avoid puddles with fallen wires in them. Watch out for weakened limbs, porches, bridges, and so forth, which might collapse. Keep strict supervision over your children during and following the emergency.
Evacuation Re-Entry
Many hazardous conditions, including blocked roads, downed power lines, ruptured gas mains and broken water mains will have to be cleared and repaired.Do not attempt to return until the all clear is given.If you leave your place of refuge and attempt to return, the roadblocks will not allow passage and you will have to return to your place of shelter.All-Clear messages will be broadcast and shelters notified when it is safe to return
After the All-Clear is Given
The danger is not over when the storm subsides. To avoid post-hurricane hazards, you should:Not drive unless absolutely necessary, and then, drive carefully watching for dangling electrical wires, undermined roads, and flooded low spots.Report damaged or broken water, sewer, gas, and electrical lines.Use caution in re-entering your home by checking for gas leaks, damaged electrical wiring and appliances, damage to the home, and spoiled food and water.Watch for snakes and animals, they may have sought refuge in your home. Remember they are frightened and may attack rather than run away.Do not sight-see, you could put yourself and others in danger.Report all hazards to appropriate agency.
Glynn County Police Hurricane Evacuation Re-entry Plan:
The plan balances the need for restricted access for protection of the community while allowing residents and business staff re-entry for recovery. If Glynn County calls for an evacuation and is struck by a major storm, the County Police will staff re-entry check points to restrict access. When conditions allow, access will occur in four phases. Residents and business staff are allowed limited access in phase 2 and 3 which may be initiated simultaneously. Conditions evaluated for access consist of roadways being open; availability of potable water, sanitation, food, shelter, electrical power, emergency and other essential services, public safety issues, etc.
Phase 1: Public works for roadway debris removal, public safety personnel, utility personnel (sanitation, water, electrical, fuel, telephone, etc), and government personnel, or governmental contractors, are allowed access to restore critical infrastructure, public safety and health services. Once roadways are open, phase 2 entry is considered.
Phase 2: Business Critical workers are allowed access for damage assessment of hazardous materials, security, and recovery needs, etc. To re-enter Glynn County as a business critical worker you must have proof of employment with the business and should be listed on the EMA disaster re-entry business registry list. A form of personal ID, such as a driver’s license and a business card with your name on it is sufficient proof, or a business ID with your name will suffice for re-entry. To ensure your business and personnel are listed, go to glynncounty.org webpage, click on EMA, and complete the application for business critical workers and follow the instructions.
Phase 3: Resident re-entry. Only those who have proof of residency, or are employed by a business located in Glynn County and have proof of same, will be allowed access. An ID card, such as a Drivers License, other government ID, or business ID, that shows your home address or business address in Glynn County is sufficient. An ID of a non-resident of Glynn County with your name matching a business card with a business address in Glynn County is sufficient for access. The policy is to allow for a reasonable limited access for those who have a legitimate need to re-enter for recovery purposes.
Phase 4: Full public access. Public notification Methods: Radio, T.V., web pages of Glynn County EMA, Police, Glynn County, and the Code Red Public message service system. To receive a Code Red message on a cell phone, you must be a Glynn County resident and your cell phone registered. How? Go to glynncounty.org webpage and click on Emergency Management and then the Code Red tab and follow instructions.