Hurricane Preparedness Checklist – Step 5 – Plan Your Evacuation
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The final part in our hurricane prep series deals with an important safety aspect when a hurricane is approaching your area – planning your evacuation.
During hurricane season, the order to evacuate can come any time. It’s less stressful if you have a plan. Here are some tips to consider as you put your plan together.
- Learn the best evacuation routes and keep a map in your car in case you’re forced to take unfamiliar roads.
- Arrange for a ride well before the storm if you don’t have your own transportation. You may be ordered to evacuate.
- Prepare an emergency supply kit for your car with extra keys, food, water, jumper cables, a first-aid kit and sleeping bags. See the Emergency Supply Kit section for a suggested list.
- Make a plan now for what to do with your pets. (Many shelters and hotels will not accept them.)
- Identify an out-of-state contact, so if your family members get separated, you’ll know who to call. If time allows, call or email your out-of-state contact to let them know where you are going and when you expect to get there.
- Plan a meeting location at least 50 miles inland in case your family gets separated.
Gather important papers to take with you
- Driver’s license or personal identification
- Social Security card
- Proof of residence (deed, lease or utility bills)
- Insurance policies (including home, auto, flood and wind)
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Stocks, bonds and other negotiable certificates
- Wills, deeds and copies of recent tax returns
- Personal checkbook and any unpaid bills
48 Hours Before The Storm
- If you find yourself within hours or days of a hurricane striking your area, and you haven’t done anything to get ready, don’t panic. There are several things you can do in the last few hours to be better prepared.
- If you’re an Allstate policyholder, register with the Customer Care Center at allstate.com. This will give you 24/7 access to your insurance policies, let you report claims and track them.
- 1-800-54-STORM. Write this number down or put it in your cell phone. Allstate policyholders will need it after the storm to file a claim.
- Check out Ibiseye to track the storm path, and projected risk areas.
- Secure buildings on your property by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas if it is safe to do so.
- Bring all lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trash cans, hanging plants (and anything else that could be picked up by the wind) inside. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
- Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting.
- Fill up your bathtub, sinks and other large containers with fresh water. This will serve as an important reserve should you be without running water after a storm.
- If you must leave your car outdoors, park as close to a building as possible. Move your car away from trees or poles that may topple onto it
- Make sure you fill your car’s gas tank. If you are forced to evacuate, you won’t want to be stuck in a long line at the gas station, or hunting for gas if all the stations run out
- Get emergency cash
Hurricane Preparedness Checklist Series
Part 1 – Review Your Insurance Coverages
Part 3 – Protect Your Property
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