HURRICANES—Know the threat and be prepared.
What to do when the Hurricane is over—aftermath tips.

    Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions. If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. Inspect your home for damage. Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.
  • Recount all lines leading to your home, immediately report loose or dangling power lines to the proper authorities.
  • If your power is out allow a reasonable amount of time to report the outage.
  • Stay where you are if it is safe until authorities give the “all-clear”.
  • Stay tuned to local news media for constant updates regarding the situations at hand. They will provide you with up-to-the-minute information regarding medical help, feeding programs, and general assistance that may be needed for your family and community.
  • Inspect your utility systems, report any potentially dangerous hazards.
  • Keep your family together and talk about the experience as much as possible in a positive way.
  • Be aware of the stress and fatigue catastrophic events produce. Eat foods that are high-energy, drink lots of fluids (especially those designed to replace sodium and potassium loss). Remember nursing moms, children and the elderly need more liquids than the average person.
  • Check on your neighbors, as people often become isolated during disasters.
  • Do not go sightseeing, the roads are filled with debris and you can hamper the recovery operations.

    When the storm is over the dangerous may just be beginning. Download, print out, and read these important Hurricane Aftermath Tips brought to you by the Red Cross. For tips on POWER OUTAGE SAFETY click HERE. For tips on HANDLING FOOD click HERE. For tips on CHAINSAW SAFETY click HERE. For tips on PORTABLE GENERATOR SAFETY click HERE, and for tips on WATER TREATMENT click HERE.


When damage from a hurricane results in a loss of electrical power in your area especially for an extended period of time follow the safety tips below:

1) Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Never use Candles!

2) Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.

3) Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.

4) Do not use generators, charcoal or gas grills, propane camping stoves or heaters, or any gas-powered tools inside the house or garage. Carbon monoxide is a gas you can't smell or see that comes from these items. It can quickly build up inside your home or enclosed space and poison the people and animals inside. Children, pets, and individuals with heart disease, lung problems, or anemia can be affected more quickly.

5) If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do NOT connect a generator directly on a home’s electrical system.