Are You Prepared for a Storm?

Pre-season Preparation

• Update your home inventory, including photos/video. Itemize furnishings, clothing, valuables, etc. It is important to include inside and outside of your house and if possible include a copy of your house plans.  This will help adjusters to settle claims.  They can also prove uninsured losses, which are tax deductible.
• Make a copy of your latest property tax bill for proof of ownership if you are a non-resident and do not have a SC drivers license with a Hilton Head Island Address (May be needed for reentry to the Island).
• Plan your evacuation routes. Make a folder of evacuation travel information, with current approved evacuation routes, and state road maps. 
• Make a list of temporary housing locations (with phone numbers) for motel, hotel or with family/friends.  Investigate whether pets are allowed, and if not, where pets can be housed.  It should be noted that pets are not allowed in public shelters.
• Make a list of what you will pack to take with you during an evacuation.  Emphasis should be placed on items that cannot be replaced, such as family records and photos, including computer files.
• Procure an emergency supply of tape and plastic for temporary repair of broken windows (Tarps for roof).
• Procure and gather nonperishable food, drinking water, candles, matches, first aid kits, radio, batteries, flashlights, etc.  Also have a supply of disposable plates, cups and utensils.
• Conduct a review of your house

When the storm first threatens:

• Move quickly without panicking.
• Start monitoring the news
• DON'T be misled by landfall predictions; strong winds could arrive hours before official landfall.
• DON'T heed or spread rumors.
• Review emergency plans with your family.
• Assemble your evacuation supplies.
• If you plan to leave, start packing.
• Limit traveling to necessary trips.
• Refill any special medications.
• Fill up your car's fuel tank. Make sure you have a spare tire; buy aerosol kits that fix and inflate flats. Check battery, water, and oil.
• Check flashlight and radio batteries and have extra on hand.
• Charge rechargeable cellular phones, drills, flashlights, lanterns, batteries.
• Get cash.
• Assemble important documents - passports, wills, contracts, insurance papers, car titles, deeds, leases and tax information. Make copies of your current Insurance policies (home: wind/hail, flood, earthquake, auto and boat) and be sure you have contact phone numbers with each policy.  You must be able to show proof of ownership for your home or vehicle in order to claim the loss through insurance or FEMA.

When warning is issued:

• Have your departure vehicle fully fueled and loaded with needs for a minimum 7 day period.  Include flashlight, water and snacks for travel, prescriptions, valuables, the family pet, checkbook, cash, cell phone with charger, etc.
• Secure your boat; have aircraft flown out or secured.
• Cover windows and doors with shutters, siding or plywood in place on windows. If you haven't sunk sockets, nail wood in with masonry nails.
• DON'T tape windows; tape can create daggers of glass and bake onto panes.
• Move vehicles out of flood-prone areas and into garages if possible. If not, park cars away from trees and close to homes or buildings.
• Move grills, patio furniture and potted plants into house or garage.  Otherwise, they become missiles. Turn off propane tanks.
• Clear yard of loose objects. If you want to do any last-minute pruning, you must take the clippings inside; trash pickup will have been suspended and you'll be creating a nice pile of missiles.
• Remove swings, and tarps from swing sets. Tie down anything you can't bring in.
• Check again for loose rain gutters, or moldings.
• If you have a swimming pool, cover the pump filter.
• Take down flags that may be flying.
• Turn off water at the shut-off valve, but first fill bath tub(s) with storage water.  Make sure circuit breaker for hot water is off.
• Place tightly rolled towels at the base of each door.
• Disconnect power and cable to your television sets, but leave one set on to receive last minute news and instructions.
• Close all drapes, curtains, blinds and interior doors.
• Turn off all lights and disconnect all electrical plugs, such as lamps, radios (keep one on for late news), small kitchen appliances, etc.  You may prefer to turn off power at all nonessential circuit breakers.  Leave air conditioning and refrigerator on.
• Let Relatives know where you plan to be
• Consider moving valuable items to higher interior elevations in your home.
• Lock all doors and window