Emergency Access to Your Home

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

Identify your home with legible and clearly marked street name and house number so emergency vehicles can rapidly find the location of the emergency. Include a driveway that is at least 12 feet wide with a vertical clearance of 15 feet—to provide access to emergency...

Water Supply – Maintain for Wildfires

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

Maintain an emergency water supply within 1,000 feet of your home through one of the following: – Community water/hydrant system – Drafting site on a lake – Cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors – Swimming...

Storm Names

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

The National Hurricane Center gives the storm a name from the list once a tropical storm reaches wind speeds of 39 mph and develops a counter-clockwise circulation. The letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are omitted from the list because so few names begin with those letters....

Hurricane Watch and Warning

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

Hurricane Watch – A hurricane watch means residents in a designated coastal area could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. Families should enact their disaster action plan and begin to secure homes, vehicles and boats. Residents on barrier islands...

Keeping Food Safe

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

It’s important to be aware that food that has not been refrigerated can cause severe health problems. Remember that: Items in a full freezer will stay frozen for about two days with the door kept closed;in a half-full freezer, for about one day. Refrigerated...

Before You Evacuate

by ryw | Jan 1, 2017 | Special Features, Storm-Ready Home, Tips

If you have the time: Turn off water, gas and electricity before leaving. Post a note telling when you left and where you are going. Don’t forget about your pets and be sure to lock your home.