Independent Insurance Center Inc.

Tips to Help you Prepare for a Disaster

Planning and preparing ahead are essential to your dealing with a disaster. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. Get prepared now.

Escape Routes
Evacuation Plans
Family Communications
Utility Shut-off and Safety
Pets
Survival Kit
Hurricane
Tornado
Flood
Earthquake

Escape Routes
Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room as well as a place to meet away from the house. Make sure children understand the drawings and review your plans every 6 months.

Evacuation Plans
When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Where will you go? How will you get there? Who knows how to contact you?

Family Communications
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Create and distribute contact information for each family member and place a copy in your survival kit. Remember to keep school contact information current as school authorities will release students only to people on their list. If family members can not communicate directly, coordinate information thru an out of state friend or family member.

Utility Shut-off and Safety
In the event of a disaster, local authorities may instruct you to shut off the utility service at your home.

Natural Gas
Because there are different gas shut-off procedures for different gas meter configurations, it is important to contact your local gas company for guidance on preparation and response regarding gas appliances and gas service to your home. When you learn the proper shut-off procedure for your meter, share the information with everyone in your household. Be sure not to actually turn off the gas when practicing the proper gas shut-off procedure. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out quickly. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.
CAUTION - If you turn off the gas for any reason, a qualified professional must turn it back on. NEVER attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.
Water
Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. It is vital that all household members learn how to shut off the water at the main house valve.

Electricity
Live electric lines in a damaged house can kill or start fires. Teach family members where and how to safely shut off the electricity.

Pets
Make sure you have arrangements for your pets before a disaster occurs as emergency shelters do NOT allow pets. If you evacuate, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND as they can not survive on their own. Make arrangements with your veterinarian or animal shelter before the disaster comes.

Survival Kit
When preparing for a disaster, make a survival kit that includes:

Canned or other non-perishable food (including pet food)
Non-electric can opener
First aid kit and manual
Portable radio and/or television
Fully Charged Cell Phone and re-charger
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Water in non-breakable containers
Prescription medicines (Including a List of all Prescriptions, Allergies and Medical Needs)
Extra clothing and blankets
Emergency cash and credit cards
A copy of your insurance policies and Claims phone numbers
Emergency Phone Numbers – family, local, state, FEMA

Hurricane – Before

Understand the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning.
A hurricane watch means that a hurricane may occur within the next 24 to 36 hours.
A hurricane warning means that a hurricane will probably strike your area within the next 24 hours.
Prepare a survival kit.
Plan your evacuation route in advance of the storm.
Close storm shutters and board up all windows.
Stock up on drinking water and non-perishable goods.
Have a supply of batteries and be sure you have flashlights and a portable radio in good working condition.
Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency
Secure all outdoor objects or move them inside.
Secure your boat or move it to a safer place.
Fuel your car in case you must leave immediately.
Collect emergency building materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails.
Arrange for your pet. Emergency Shelters do NOT allow pets. Veterinarian – Animal Shelter

Hurricane – During

Listen to the radio for important storm information and instructions.
If at home, stay inside and away from all windows, skylights and glass doors.
Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed as the "eye" of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when strong winds resume.
If you must evacuate, leave as soon as possible. Tell someone outside of the storm area where you will be.

Hurricane – After

Stay tuned to the radio or television.
If you have had to evacuate, return home only after authorities advise it is safe to do so.
Avoid downed power lines.
Beware and check for gas leaks or electrical system damage.
Make temporary repairs as necessary.
Promptly report the loss using the toll-free claim reporting number.

Tornado – Before

Understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
A watch means that tornadoes may develop, while a warning means that a tornado has been sighted and you should seek shelter immediately.
Prepare a survival kit.
Designate an area of your home as a shelter and practice what the plan would be should a tornado occur.
Move cars and other outside objects inside the garage.
Collect emergency building materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails.
Establish a meeting place should your family be separated.

Tornado – During
At home:

Seek shelter away from windows in the center of the room.
Basements and storm cellars are the best havens, but if there is no basement, take cover in a bathroom, closet, or under a sturdy piece of furniture.

At Work or School

Go to the basement or an inside hallway at the lowest level.
Keep away from large, open areas such as auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums.
Lie low and use your arms to protect the head and neck.

In a Car

Do not try to outrun the tornado. Stop the car, get out, and if there is no facility nearby to take shelter in, lie in a low area such as a ditch.

Tornado – After

Stay in your shelter until after the storm is over.
Listen to the radio or television for the latest storm information.
Check for gas leaks or electrical system damage.
Watch for downed power lines when going outside.
Promptly report the loss using the toll-free claim reporting number.

Flood – Before

Purchase a flood insurance policy as your homeowner’s policy does not cover flood damage.
There is normally a 30 day waiting period before a flood application becomes effective.
Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency
Collect emergency building materials if you live in a frequently flooded area: plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails, shovels and sandbags.
Prepare a survival kit.
Plan and practice an evacuation route.
Establish a meeting place should your family get separated.

Flood – During

Listen to a battery operated radio or television for the latest storm information.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Move to high ground, avoid rising waters and do not walk or drive through any floodwaters.
Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.

Flood – After

Listen to the radio and do not return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
Be watchful of animals or snakes that may have found their way into your home.
Throw away all food that has come in contact with floodwaters.
If your basement has flooded, pump out the water gradually. Remove about 1/3 per day to avoid structural damage.
Promptly report a loss using the toll-free claim reporting number.

Earthquake – Before

Purchase Earthquake coverage as your homeowner’s policy does not automatically cover earthquake damage.
Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches and anywhere people sit.
Fasten shelves securely to walls and place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
Be sure that water heaters and other gas appliances are properly bolted down or supported on the floor or wall.
Make sure that your house is properly bolted to the foundation.
Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency with all family members.
Prepare a survival kit.
Identify safe places with your family in each room, such as under sturdy desks or doorways where you can seek cover.
Collect emergency building materials: plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails.

Earthquake - During

If you are indoors, seek cover under one of the safe places identified.
Stay inside and avoid all places where glass could shatter, such as windows and mirrors, or where heavy furniture could fall over.
If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, overhead wires and street lights.
Stay put until the earthquake passes.
If you are in an automobile, safely pull over and stop your car in a clear area away from bridges, buildings, overpasses and trees.
Stay in the car and after the earthquake has stopped, proceed with caution avoiding ramps and bridges that may have been damaged.
Be sure to turn on the radio for current earthquake information.

Earthquake – After

Be prepared for aftershocks that may cause additional damage.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television if possible.
Clean up any flammable liquids and leave immediately if you smell gas fumes.
Stay out of damaged buildings.
Seek temporary housing if you are not able to return to your home
Promptly report the loss using the toll-free claim reporting number.