Hurricane Preparation
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1499240
2023 • HURRICANE PREPARATION GUIDE • 15 adno=3890250-1 storm to pass. • Listen to local media for the most current information. AFTER THE STORM • If you can get water, boil it before you use it. Your local utility company will likely issue an indefinite boil water order for residents after a storm. • Inventory all damaged items before clearing away debris. • Make as many temporary repairs as you can, but look out for hazards — gas leaks, electri- cal problems or structural damage — before proceeding. • Save all property remnants and receipts for any items you buy to repair your home or business for insurance purposes. • Report any downed electrical wires or any wires that are sparking by calling 800-4-OUT- AGE (468-8243). • Don't drive through flooded roads. Driving through water can cause vehicles to break down and can leave drivers in a precarious situation, especially if driving over terrain that cannot be seen. • Be wary of carbon monoxide gas hazards. Engines, generators and some stoves people use when the electricity is out will give off carbon monoxide gas that can prove poisonous. Burn- ing wood or charcoal also may cause dangerous fumes. • If you're returning to a home that you have evacuated or beginning the cleanup process, look out for gas leaks, roof damage, water damage or other structural concerns as well as downed power lines and any interior electrical problems before beginning work. • Don't eat food that may have spoiled in a power outage or that was exposed to flood water. • Pay attention to media reports on the radio, television or newspapers. • Avoid candles. Use flashlights and battery-pow- ered lanterns instead. • Don't walk or play in standing water. • Disinfect and dry out buildings to avoid mold or mildew damage. • Protect against mosquitoes; wear mosquito repellent. • Be careful on the roads. Streets may be covered with debris, from twigs to turned-over trucks. Be especially cautious when approaching inter- sections with inoperable streetlights. • Check on neighbors, especially the elderly. • Don't walk around outside in the dark. With streetlights out, you may not notice a downed power line in your path. Sources: The Centers for Disease Control, Florida Power & Light and the Independent Insurance Agents of America SUN PHOTO BY CHRIS PORTER Mobile homes on Manasota Key didn't hold up well to the winds of Hurricane Ian.