Hurricane Prep and Summer Safety Resources

National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 5-11, 2024

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you have multiple ways of receiving forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm.

Click on each day's tab below to display hurricane prep information.

• Sunday, May 5 — Know Your Risk: Wind & Water

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  The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. Find out today what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength. Know if you live in an area prone to flooding, if you live in an evacuation zone, and identify any structural weaknesses in your home. Click to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Monday, May 6 — Prepare Before Hurricane Season

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  The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Click to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Tuesday, May 7 — Understand Forecast Information

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  Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected,including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more. There is a lot of information available days ahead of a storm, and it is important to understand what it means. Click here to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Wednesday, May 8 — Get Moving When a Storm Threatens

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  Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence. Click here to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Thursday, May 9 — Stay Protected During Storms

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  Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials. Click to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Friday, May 10 — Use Caution After Storms

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  A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm. Click to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

• Saturday, May 11 — Take Action Today

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  Are you ready for hurricane season? Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. Even if you feel ready, there may be additional things you could do or learn. Click to learn more

  
  (Image credit: NOAA's National Weather Service)

Power Outage Maps

Summer Season & Heat Safety Resources

• Indoor/Outdoor Summer Maintenance Tips

  The temperatures are soaring, the rain is pounding, and the sun is blazing. It’s important that you take the time to maintain your home this summer and to prepare it for the extreme heat that you could be facing. Check out our ultimate checklist of summer home maintenance tips to help you give your home some care.

  Click to read full article.

• National Weather Service Heat Safety

  The Heat Index is one way to measure how hot it feels when humidity is considered with the temperature. For example, when the temperature is 95 °F and the relative humidity is 50 percent, the Heat Index is 105 °F. To find the Heat Index temperature, use the chart or use the online calculator available at weather.gov/safety/heat-index. Heat Index temperatures shaded in red indicate extreme danger. The National Weather Service utilizes the Heat Index in many parts of the country to determine when and where to issue heat alerts.

  Click to read full article.

• NFPA Grilling Safety

  When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of food on the grill.

  Seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker*, which translates to a lot of tasty meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires. In 2014-2018, fire departments went to an annual average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 3,900 structure fires and 4,900 outside or unclassified fires.

  There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

  Click to read full article.