Hampton Roads Hurricane Safety Tips Ahead of Florence

Hurricane Florence is heading towards the east coast of the United States. Although its path and strength remain unclear, it is time for Hampton Roads residents to take hurricane precautions. Here are some Hampton Roads hurricane safety tips.

The prospect of a major hurricane making landfall in Virginia and North Carolina on Thursday is an alarming one. Above average rainfall this summer has left the ground sodden and means trees and power lines are more likely to be blown down by high winds.

The surge associated with a hurricane is another concern in low lying Hampton Roads. Just this morning, streets flooded in parts of Tidewater after heavy rain including in the cities of Hampton and Virginia Beach.

If a hurricane is heading our way, we should all be prepared and ready. Aim to get supplies days before a hurricane arrives. Water and other vital foods may run out fast. Here are some Hampton Roads hurricane safety tips.

• Look at your emergency supply kit and restock – During Hurricane Isabel in 2003, some homes in Hampton Roads were left without power for weeks. Water supplies may also be disrupted. You should have bottled water and food that does not require cooking. Make sure you have a first aid kit, medications, and baby supplies if you have a young child. Have a hand-crank or battery-operated radio.
• Draw up a plan – Talk about the impending storm with members of your household. Have an evacuation plan and carry out a dry run.
• Listen to the weather forecast – Keep up to date with critical weather information from the National Weather Service or listen to an NOAA Weather Radio station. A list of accurate weather websites is provided by Lifehacker.
• Fill up your car or truck with gas – Make sure there’s plenty of gas in your vehicle’s tank. Often gas stations lose power and are closed in high winds.
• Turn up controls – Turn controls on your refrigerator and freezer as high as possible ahead of a storm so as they stay cold as long as possible if you lose power.
• Know your route – Learn about the hurricane plan for your local community. Map out ways of getting to local shelters and make plans for your pets to be cared for. Some shelters don’t take pets.
• Evacuate if asked to do so – if the authorities tell you to leave your home, you must go. In exposed areas such as the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Sandbridge, and along the coast, there may be no way out if a storm hits and no means of rescue.
• Close all windows – Before a storm arrives you should close all doors and windows and use hurricane shutters.
• Avoid driving on flooded roads – You should always avoid driving on waterlogged roads when it’s unclear how deep the flooding is but particularly once a hurricane hits. You may be blown into deep water or hit by a storm surge. There are often submerged hazards below the water. Parts of Norfolk, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth are particularly susceptible to flooding. If you plan to evacuate from your home, leave well before the storm arrives.
• Have flood insurance – Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flooding. It’s, therefore, important to have protection if you are hit with floods associated with hurricane storm surges.

Take care if the hurricane hits and avoid driving in floods. We hope these Hampton Roads hurricane safety tips help. Your home is usually the safest place when a hurricane hits. If you have been hurt in an accident due to the fault of another person call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077.