Hurricane/flooding season starts June 1
Last year in the U.S., more than 450 people died and nearly 2,600 were injured as a result of severe weather. Hurricane Sandy contributed to more than 280 of those deaths and has become the second costliest hurricane in our country’s history.
Hurricane/flooding season starts June 1 – are you ready? Here are important tips for staying safe before, during and after severe weather:
- Listen to local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information.
- Get the latest weather information from the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio or battery-powered/hand crank radio with a NOAA Weather Band to get weather warnings directly from the NWS.
- Make sure you have a safe place to go when severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings are forecast. Safe areas include basements and interior rooms such as bathrooms or closets on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows.
- Do not drive or walk through floodwater. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Turn around and find another route if a road is flooded – it is almost always more dangerous than it appears.
- Have a family emergency plan. Everyone should know what to do in case family members are not together when severe weather happens. Get a free emergency plan worksheet at www.ReadyVirginia.gov or from the Ready Virginia app.
- Evacuate immediately if advised to do so.
- Keep emergency supplies on hand, including at least three days’ non-perishable food and water, flashlights and batteries, first aid kit, medicines.
- Follow the instructions of local and state officials.
For more on family preparedness for hurricane season, go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov or www.ListoVirginia.gov and download the Ready Virginia app from the App Store or Google Play.
