During A Hurricane

Weather conditions may deteriorate rapidly hours before the arrival of a hurricane’s worst weather. Stay indoors. An interior room or a room without windows is usually the safest. Passage of the hurricane eye: If the center (eye) passes through your area, continue to stay indoors unless emergency repairs are absolutely necessary. Wind and rain may stop for periods ranging from a few minutes to more than an hour, but... Beware: The wind will suddenly pick up again from the opposite direction and possibly with greater force than before.

Stay inside a well-constructed building that is outside a flood zone. In structures such as a home, examine the building and plan in advance what you will do if winds become strong. Strong winds can produce deadly missiles and structural failure. If winds become strong:

  • Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway. Take a battery-powered radio, TV or a NOAA Weather Radio and a flashlight with you to your place of refuge. Keep a clear escape path in case of fire.
  • Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors, particularly double inward opening doors and garage doors.
  • If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room or basement, such as a bathroom, closet or under the stairs.
  • If you are in a multiple-story building and away from the water, go to the first or second floors and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows. Interior stairwells and areas around elevator shafts are generally the strongest part of a building.
  • Lie on the floor under tables or other sturdy objects.

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