1	Are you ready? Emergency response demands the full utilization of the village’s resources to stabilize crisis situations and immediately begin efforts to make repairs and return to normal. It is essential that residents prepare to protect themselves in case of an emergency.
2	What is a hurricane? A hurricane is defined as an intense tropical weather system with a well defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
3	Watches & Warnings: A Hurricane Watch is issued when hurricane conditions are a real possibility in the next 24-36 hours. A Hurricane Warning is issued when a hurricane is expected within 24 hours.
4	When a hurricane watch is issued: What you should do: Prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued. Monitor storm’s progress by listening to the radio. Make sure you have sufficient food, drinking water, first aid supplies and medication. Prepare for evacuation. Pack your Go Bag. Fill your car’s gas tank. Take care of your pets. Remember that public shelters do not allow pets for health reasons.
5	When a hurricane warning is issued: What you should do: Listen to the radio for announcements. Follow instructions issued by authorities. Use your Household Emergency Plan. Use common sense and exercise caution. Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if necessary.
6	Hurricane Categories
7	Before anything happens: Prepare a Household Emergency Plan Pack an Emergency Supply Kit and To-Go Kit Make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date and protects your home financially from all significant risks. Notify Con Edison if someone in your household uses medical equipment that requires power. Check for trees on your property that should be removed or trimmed before a storm. If your home is susceptible to flooding determine what precautions you can take to minimize damage, like storing valuables appropriately. Make arrangements for pets. Anchor gas containers to resist the impact of flooding.
8	The Household Emergency Plan: Plan a way to get in contact with your family. During large scale emergencies, local phone lines will be in high demand. Designate an out-of-town contact person who each of you will attempt to reach if you are separated. Make sure everyone knows the phone number of the contact person and has a prepaid phone card or other method of reaching them. Identify the kinds of disasters that impact the region and how you will be notified of danger. For instance, when large storms threaten our region residents should tune into local radio stations. Designate meeting points. Choose a place in your neighborhood incase you must leave your home, but can remain in the area. Also designate an out of town hotel or the home of a friend/relative that probably will not be threatened by the same disaster. Check with the places your family spends time, like schools, work or daycare facilities, to be sure that you are aware of the procedures in their emergency plans. Make adjustments in your own family Household Emergency Plan to work with theirs.
9	What to put in the Emergency Supply Kit: The kit should be customized to meet the needs of the family or individual, but should include the following: A crank or a battery powered radio; At least one flashlight (battery or non-battery powered); Batteries; A first aid kit; Food and water for a minimum of three days; Eating utensils, a manual can opener and paper towels; Prescription medications, formula, diapers, pet food and other items that your family would specifically require; A warm blanket or sleeping bag for each person; At least one complete change of clothing for each person; Cash, checks and bank cards; Personal hygiene products like a toothbrush and toothpaste; At least one telephone that does not need electricity (wall plug, cellular); Wet wipes, Garbage bags and plastic bags for personal sanitation; Dust masks for each member of the family in case of air pollution; Rope, a shovel, a hammer and nails & other tools.
10	What to put in the To-Go Kit: In addition to the items in your Emergency Supply Kit, you should pack the following in a portable container to take with you if you have to go quickly: A whistle to signal for help; Personal identification for every member of the household (driver's license, pass port or copy of a birth certificate) because you may need ID to return to an evacuated area; Traveler's checks or cash; Insurance, bank, electric and natural gas companies' phone numbers; A current list of doctors and medical equipment supply company phone numbers, & prescription medications (including dosages and schedule); If you have a pet, a recent photograph; Local maps; and Some books, games, puzzles, or other activities.
11	Food and Water: For each person you should have at least one gallon of water per day for a minimum of three days (3 gallons) stored in tightly closed and clean plastic bottles, and At least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation, or water. A manual can opener if your food supply includes cans. Store the food in a dry, dark area at a temperature between 32 and 70 degrees, but not in a basement that is flood prone.
12	Some ideas for your emergency food store: This food supply needs to be non-perishable. Select foods that require no refrigeration, minimal or no preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Here are some suggestions: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables Protein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granola Peanut butter Dried fruit Nuts Crackers Canned juices Non-perishable pasteurized milk High energy foods Vitamins Food for infants Comfort/stress foods
13	Plan for your pets: Make plans in case of you evacuate. Most shelters will not allow you to bring pets. Make sure the place you are planning on going allows you to bring pets. Get a carrying case. Include a collar and leash, pet food and water for your pets, and any medication in your Emergency Response Kits. Keep the name and phone number of the veterinarian with your important documents. Carry a recent photo in case your pet gets lost. Try not to leave your pets behind. They are counting on you.
14	When a storm threatens the region…
15	Before the storm: Listen to the radio to stay informed on storm predictions. Fill your car’s gas tank and pick up any last minute supplies. Reference your Household Emergency Plan. Store toys, decorations, garbage cans and lawn furniture indoors; secure any outdoor objects that cannot be brought inside so that they will not cause damage. Purchase supplies to protect your windows if necessary. Check with neighbors that may need help preparing for the storm or leaving the area. Keep your family home or nearby to facilitate a quick departure if it becomes necessary.
16	If you stay during a hurricane: If you stay: Keep family members and pets inside. Local authorities may not be able to provide information immediately on what is happening and what you should do. Calling local officials will not be the most effective means of obtaining information. Listen to the radio for news and instructions. Be alert to the possibility of tornados or flooding. Stay out of flood waters. If waters are rising or local officials issue a flood or flash flood warning, move to higher ground. The water may be contaminated or electrically charged. If you see a funnel cloud or if local authorities issue a tornado warning take shelter underground or in an interior room. Stay away from downed power lines to avoid electrical shock or electrocution.
17	If you decide to evacuate: Turn off water, gas and electricity in your home before you leave. Bring your emergency supplies. Check with neighbors to see if they assistance. Assign family members responsibilities like locking windows and doors, getting pets into travel carriers, moving emergency supplies into the car, and shutting-off utilities. Stay out of flood waters. If waters are rising move to higher ground. The water may be contaminated or electrically charged. Never drive through water, you may not realize how deep the water is. If you see a funnel cloud, find shelter underground or in an interior room with no windows. Listen to the radio for tornado watches and warnings. Stay away from downed power lines to avoid electrical shock or electrocution. Even a wire that looks dead may still be active. Notify authorities, and keep your distance.
18	More about Evacuation: It may not be necessary to evacuate. Listen to the radio. If you're specifically told to evacuate, leave immediately with your portable emergency kit and go to the place your family had designated. During an emergency, do not evacuate unless your region is told to leave. Using the roads may not be safe or hinder the movement of emergency response providers. In your Household Emergency Plan, decide what your family’s steps for evacuation will be. Check with neighbors to see if they need assistance. Assign family members responsibilities like turning off utilities or gathering pets. When authorities do call for the evacuation of the area, do not waste any time. Government ordered evacuation is not optional and needs to happen promptly. Do not return home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after the hurricane and after flood water recede, roads may not be safe and buildings may be unstable. Evacuation means it is no longer safe to stay in the area. It may not be immediately apparent, but the reason for evacuation will be more severe than lose of utilities Use common sense. Exercise caution. After an emergency, it may be necessary for your family to evacuate until power and other services can be restored to the area. Use your best judgment in order to accommodate the needs of your family.
19	After the hurricane: Continue to listen to the radio. If you were ordered to evacuate, do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe. Even after the hurricane and after flood waters recede. If you did not have to evacuate, but extended lose of power makes it difficult for you to remain at home, it may be necessary for you and your family to leave the area until the system can be restored. The village government will be working hard to return to pre-disaster conditions as soon as possible. Remember, only use 911 for real life threatening emergency calls. All other calls to the police should be made to the non-emergency line, 271-5177. You are responsible for your own property.
20	Websites http://www.crotonfd.com http://www.ready.gov http://www.westchestergov.com/severeweather http://www.semo.state.ny.us/ http://www.fema.gov/areyouready http://www.weather.gov/nyc http://www.nhc.noaa.gov http://www.redcross.org http://www.ed.gov