Captain Tropic's
Hurricane Watch Check List
When you hear that a hurricane watch has been posted for your specific area, it means that hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to your specified coastal area within 36 hours.
Frequently monitor your local AM/FM radio stations, the TV, NOAA Weather Radio, your local police with your scanner and hurricane hotline telephone numbers for official bulletins of the storm's progress. (Check out my Emergency Communications Page for more information) A great source of information during a hurricane watch is the world wide web. Check out the links page of this site for more information.
-Fuel and service family vehicles.
-Place all rechargeable batteries on charge. Items like cordless screw-gun, video
camera, digital camera, flashlight.
-Carefully remove or prune tree limbs near the electrical feed line leading to your
home.
-Inspect and secure mobile home tie downs.
-Prepare to cover all windows, skylights, and door openings with shutters or other
shielding materials.
-Locate your homes cut off switches and valves for the electricity, water and gas.
-Stock up on extra batteries for radios, flashlights, and lanterns.
-Check the batteries you have on hand, test them in the equipment they will be used
in. Reading the voltage across the battery terminals with a voltmeter is of no use.
Using the battery tester supplied by the manufacturer is ok, but I have very little
confidence in them.
-Purchase bags of ice and fill empty spaces in freezers.
-Check food and water supplies.
-Stock up on first aid supplies.
-Have clean, airtight containers on hand to store at least 2 weeks of drinking water
(1 gallon per day or 14 gallons per person).
-Stock up on canned provisions.
-Test your camping stove and check its fuel supply.
-Keep a small cooler with frozen gel packs handy for packing refrigerated items.
-Check prescription medicines - obtain at least 10 days to 2 weeks supply.
-Prepare to store and secure outdoor lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight
objects, such as garbage cans, garden tools, potted plants, etc.
-Have on hand an extra supply of cash.
-Review your evacuation plan.
-Review your family disaster plan.
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Thanks, Captain Tropic
