As Hurricane Florence plans to make landfall in the next few days, the National Safety Council (NSC) is calling for Americans living on the East Coast to take proper precautions.
Flash floodings, devastating damage, injuries and death can occur during severe weather and natural disasters. In 2017, 59,985 weather events resulted 592 deaths and 4,270 injuries. Flash floods, tropical storms, and heat waves resulted in the most deaths during 2017, according to the NSC
The agency advises families to keep an emergency kit at home and in the car. Kits should contain basic needs to sustain a family for at least 72 hours.
When putting together an emergency response plans, families and businesses should practice various methods of evacuation or identify places to seek shelter, make emergency contact lists in case family members become separated and learn how their community alerts residents when severe weather or a natural disaster are imminent.
The NSC says the following measures should be take before and during the following natural disasters:
Hurricanes:
- Board up windows and secure loose items like patio furniture
- Establish an assembly point for family members to meet if separated, and choose one person everyone can contact with their whereabouts and status
- Take shelter in a sturdy building; avoid isolated sheds or other small structures, open areas, hilltops, the beach or boats
- If you are driving in heavy rain, try to safely exit the road, stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers
- Never drive into flooded areas; if flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground
- Avoid contact with electrical equipment, cords, metal and water
- Listen for warning sirens, stay away from windows and exterior doors, and seek shelter in a bathroom or basement
- Stay indoors until authorities tell you it's safe to go outside
Flash floods:
- Know your proximity to rivers, streams and dams
- During heavy rain, avoid underpasses, underground parking garages and basements
- Don't walk in water above your ankles; you can be swept off your feet in as little as 6 inches of rushing water
- Turn off the electricity and other utilities
Sample emergency kits and plans can be found at nsc.org/emergencykit.