DJJ and National Preparedness Month: Hurricanes

September is Hurricane Season, the time when Georgia observes ‘National Preparedness Month’ to raise awareness for severe weather emergencies. National Preparedness Month (NPM) is structured by the Department of Homeland Security to reminds us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families, now and throughout the year, by becoming familiar with the lifesaving lessons taught by the ‘Ready Campaign’.

This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on emergency and disaster planning, with an overreaching theme: ‘Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How’. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) places special interest in the campaign because this state is no stranger to severe weather emergencies.

Having a plan and knowing the appropriate actions to take during a disaster or emergency can provide life-saving help families for plan to ahead for unforeseeable disasters. In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, DJJ will cover several relevant topics this week, beginning with HURRICANES.

DJJ expresses its appreciation to the Department of Homeland Security for sharing lifesaving information for this National Preparedness Month campaign.

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DJJ and National Preparedness Month: Hurricanes

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and mudslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

The Facts about Hurricanes:

• Can strike any U.S. coastal areas  
• Can affect areas more than 100 miles inland
• Are most active in September

Prepare now:

• Know the risk of hurricanes in your area.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain.
• Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA shelter or a small interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding.
• Based on your location and community provisions, make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place.
• Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations.
• Gather basic supplies customized to meet your family’s essential requirements for at least three days. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Remember pet needs.
• Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Review insurance policies. Declutter drains and gutters. Consider hurricane shutters. Have check valves installed in plumbing to prevent backups.

When a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving:  

• Check your radio, TV, or city-county website for the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Restock your emergency preparedness kit. Stock food and water sufficient for at least three days, include medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash and first aid supplies.
• Prepare a family communication plan to stay in touch if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually faster and more reliable than making phone calls due to overloaded phone lines.
• Plan ahead with your family for an emergency departure. Review your evacuation zone, evacuation route and shelter locations so you can leave quickly. 
• Keep your car in good working condition and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with a “Go-Kit” containing emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

When a hurricane is 18-36 hours from arriving:

• Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
• Bring loose, lightweight objects inside, like patio furniture and garbage cans that could easily become dangerous projectiles in high winds; Anchor objects like propane tanks that would be unsafe to bring inside; and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home or building.
• Cover windows at home. Board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade plywood, pre-cut to fit and ready to install. Permanent storm shutters offer the best window protection.

When a hurricane is 6-18 hours from arriving:

• Check your radio, TV, or city-county website every 30 minutes for the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
• Charge your cell phone now to have a full battery in case you lose power.

When a hurricane is 6 hours from arriving:

• If your area is not recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home, or shelter in place and let friends and family know your location.
• Close storm shutters and avoid windows. Flying glass is a hazard in high winds and can bring severe injury.
• Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting, open only when necessary and food will last longer if power is lost. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator to check food temperature when power is restored.
• Check your radio, TV, or city-county website every 30 minutes for the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.

Survival during a hurricane:

• If your location comes under a hurricane warning, find safe shelter immediately.
• Assess how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding where you are.
• To protect against high winds, take refuge in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
• If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades.
• If sheltering during high winds, go to a FEMA safe room, storm shelter, or a small interior, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding.
• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the highest level of the building. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water.
• Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
• Do not wade, swim, or drive through flood waters which can be contaminated, contain dangerous debris or downed power lines that can electrically charge the water.
• Use generators outdoors only, and away from windows.
• Listen for current emergency information and instructions.

Stay safe after a hurricane:

• Listen to authorities for information and special instructions.
• Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and work with a partner.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock.

• Do not wade, swim, or drive through flood waters which can be contaminated, contain dangerous debris or downed power lines that can electrically charge the water.

• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
• Document any property damage with photographs. Contact your insurance company for assistance.