Once the storm passes and all seems calm outside, wait for the all clear before venturing out.

People should cooperate fully with local authorities and public safety officials.

Keep listening to your local radio or TV station for information. If you evacuated, return home only when authorities advise that it is safe.

Drive only if it’s absolutely necessary. Immediately after the storm passes, debris and flood waters may be covering roadways, making them impassible. Emergency crews will be working to clear roadways but it may take hours or even days to clear them all.

Avoid sightseeing. Roads may be closed for your protection so if you encounter a barricade, turn around and go another way.

Do not drive in flooded areas. Avoid washed out roadways.

Stay on firm ground. Moving water that is only 6 inches deep can still sweep you off your feet. Standing water also may be electrically charged from downed power lines.

Watch out for downed power lines around you, as they may be charged and dangerous. Assume all downed lines are live.

Beware of insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood waters.

Enter your home with extreme caution. Beware of fallen objects or damaged roofs and wall sections. Watch for nails, splinters, holes in walls or floors, wet or falling sections of ceiling, undermined foundations and gas leaks. Use flashlights for light. Do not use matches, torches or other open flame.

Remove shutters or plywood and open windows and doors to ventilate or dry your home if necessary.
Check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage. Do not attempt to repair damaged gas or electrical lines. Call a professional.

Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.

If your home has been flooded, flush plumbing fixtures with buckets of water to be sure they are open. Have health authorities inspect your sanitary disposal system.

Water may have backed up into the septic tank, which in turn backs up into the plumbing system. This could cause a health hazard.

Avoid using candles and other open flames indoors. Use a flashlight or other battery-powered lighting.
Do not eat food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some food can be salvaged if properly packaged. Consult local health officials if in doubt.

Use the telephone for emergencies only.

Start cleanup as soon as possible, especially if your home was flooded. Take pictures of all damage before you begin cleanup or repairs, for insurance purposes. Thoroughly dry and clean your home before trying to live in it.

Take all furniture and rugs outside to dry.

Dry and air bedding, clothing and rugs as soon as possible to prevent mildew.

Be sure children are safe and being cared for at all times. Never leave children alone or allow them to play in damaged buildings or unsafe areas.

Give special attention to cleaning children’s toys, cribs, playpens and play equipment. Boil any items a toddler or infant might put in his or her mouth. Discard stuffed toys, waterlogged toys and non-cleanable toys.

Wear protective clothing on legs, arms, feet and hands while cleaning up debris. Wear rubber gloves while scrubbing flood-damaged interiors and furniture.

Never connect portable generators to your house. Use them only to run the necessary appliances and plug the appliance into the generator.

Recovery

As you rebuild:

• Secure double entry doors at the top and the bottom.
• Strengthen existing garage doors to improve the wind resistance, particularly double- wide garage doors.
• Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on the awnings.
• Select trees that are not as subject to uprooting to replace damaged ones. A gardening or landscaping professional can give you excellent advice.
• Identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans that is away from stairs and exits to prevent them from being moved by high winds and becoming missiles.
• Ask a professional to
• Ensure roof sheathing is properly installed.
• Ensure end gables are securely fastened to the rest of the roof.
• Fasten the roof to the walls with hurricane straps.
• Elevate your home if it is near the coast and subject to flooding from storm surge.