Preparing for Hurricane Season

The Central Pacific Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. Because the likelihood of hurricane activity is higher during this period, being prepared and planning ahead is especially important to ensuring the safety of you and your family.

Hurricane’s can produce violent winds, torrential rains, floods and large wave activity (or storm surges). Storm surges are very dangerous and a major reason why it is advised to stay away from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.

In the event of an approaching hurricane, the National Weather Service will issue a Hurricane Watch if there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 36 hours. A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or more are expected in a specified area in 24 hours or less. A Hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or high waves continue, even though winds may be less than 74 mph.

• Assemble your Disaster Supply Kit or purchase any items needed. These items should be kept together and stored in a central location. If a hurricane watch should be issued, replenish your water supply and check your disaster supply kit to make sure nothing is missing. For a detailed list, click here.
• Prepare a Family Disaster Plan. In case of evacuation, make plans in advance to stay with friends or relatives who live inland or on higher ground. Learn the recommended evacuation routes from your home. Local broadcast stations or authorities will give the safest routes or to learn them ahead of time, contact your local emergency management office. Program important numbers into each family member’s cellular phones and make a list of valuable possessions.

In the event of a Hurricane Watch or Tropical Storm, secure your home:

• Install shutters, storm panels or plywood over all windows, doors, skylights, open vents.
• Insert wedges in all doors and sliding patio doors. Doors that open inward will have to be wedged and bolted so that strong winds don’t blow the doors open and expose the entire house to damaging winds. If unprotected patio doors are not wedged, the damaging winds will lift them from their track.
• Secure garage doors and porch doors. If you can leave a car in the garage, back it up against the closed door.
• Lower television and radio antennas.
• Protect appliances and furniture by elevating them off the floor and covering them with plastic. Move valuables to upper floors.
• Recharge appropriate equipment, such as electric drills, tools, cellular phones and batteries.

Secure your outdoor property:

• Remove loose objects from the yard and patio.
• Prune dead or dying tree limbs.
• Tie down any large objects that cannot be brought in such as propane tanks, swing sets, etc. These might become deadly missiles in high winds.
• Close all outside electrical outlets and cover with duct tape.
• Do not drain your swimming pool. Keep the pool filled to about 12 inches below the edge. Add additional chlorine, turn off electricity to the pool and cover the filter pump.