Hurricane Prep: Get ready for the storm

Chesapeake is no stranger to hurricanes, so take a moment and learn how to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane.

Prep Tips

Sign up for Chesapeake Alert for emergency notifications by email, phone or text.  Make sure to sign up and stay up to date. 

Know Your Zone. Make sure you also know your evacuation zone, so you know when to go.

Make a family emergency communication plan.

Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate.

If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. A basic kit could include the following items:

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with a backup battery
  (Make sure to also fully charge your phone before a storm.)

Check your insurance coverage, damages caused by flooding are not covered under normal homeowner's insurance policies.

Learn more about hurricane awareness, preparation, and response, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Join America's PrepareAthon, a grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience, and help prepare your community for relevant hazards through group discussions, drills, and innovative communications-related products.

Related 

• Virginia Hurricane Preparedness Guide (May 2015)[pdf]
• Hurricanes, Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• Hurricanes, Ready.gov

How Prepared Are You?

DURING A HURRICANE 

Here are some tips for what to do during a hurricane. 

• Evacuate: Fatalities and injuries caused by hurricanes are often the result of individuals remaining in unsafe locations during a storm. If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, do so immediately. Be sure to remember the Five Ps of Evacuation: People, Prescriptions, Papers, Personal Needs, and Priceless Items. 
• Leave early to avoid delays caused by traffic, lines, high winds, and flooding.
•  Stick to designated evacuation routes. 
• If you are not evacuating, take precautions to protect yourself and stay safe from the high winds and potential localized flooding.
• Stay indoors away from windows and glass doors. 
• If you are in a mobile home or temporary structure, move to a sturdy building.
• For protection in extremely high winds, go to a small, interior, windowless room, such as a bathroom or closet, on the lowest level not likely to flood.
• Move to a location on higher ground before floodwaters prevent your ability to leave.

Learn more about hurricane awareness, preparation, and response, visit www.ready.gov/hurricanes