Hurricane Checklist

It is prudent to begin assessing your home before hurricane season starts by ensuring that trees are gently pruned, especially if they are close to power lines, water pipes and near the roof of your house. Never attempt to cut branches close to power lines yourself; call CUC (Tel: (345) 949 5200) and they will send a team to evaluate your property and trim any potential hazards.

Additionally, ask your gardener or strata maintenance to remove coconuts as they can become dangerous missiles in high winds, and can put both you and your home at risk.

Hurricane Checklist

• Design a family plan for which shelter and route is the best to suit your needs
• Fill cars with gasoline/charge if electric and move them to higher ground
• Withdraw cash from bank. ATMs won’t work without power
• Bring in everything from outside, i.e. bird feeder, hose, barbecue, chairs, potted plants
• Secure boat and remove all equipment, i.e. battery, CD player, life jackets, etc.
• Make arrangements for the safety of your pets
• Move furniture and belongings away from windows and doors and elevate off floor level
• Put silicone or foam around outside doors and also fill sandbags sufficient to protect ground level outside of the doors
• Pick up rugs from the floor, and remove drapes from windows and store in plastic bags
• Buy buckets and sheets of plastic to protect furniture and wood floors from ceiling leaks
• Pack irreplaceable and precious items into large plastic bags or Rubbermaid containers/tubs and seal them with tape
• Do laundry; it may be a long time before you can do it again
  
• Clean tubs/baths and fill them with water
• Turn freezer and fridge to the coldest setting. If power goes out, food and ice will last longer
• Freeze water
• Charge cell phones and have cell phone charger that plugs into you cars USB port or car lighter. Also charge up external battery packs
• Consider blocking toilets with old towels, so they do not back up
• Wedge sliding doors to prevent them lifting from tracks and reinforce garage door
• Keep swimming pool full, to around 12 inches from the top
• Turn off propane tanks
• Secure TV antennae
• Check supply of emergency food
• Close cistern openings and disconnect downspouts
• Have empty gallon bottles to fill with water for bathing and flushing purposes
• Make sure you have old towels, shirts, etc. to line doors and windows for water seepage
• Have raincoats/ponchos handy as it might rain for several days after the hurricane
• Make sure you have the phone numbers of family and friends and that they have yours

Hurricane Supply Kit

Here is the list of things to purchase, set up, prepare and do in advance of the hurricane season. Keep in mind that supply may be limited as the demand for these products will be high:

• Plywood and screw nails for windows/doors (if necessary)
• ‘C’ type fire extinguisher for electrical fires
• Oil and petrol for generator (optional)
• Portable gas cooker and refills
• Charcoal and lighter fluid
• Flashlight, candles, lantern and oil
• Matches/lighter in watertight bag
• Battery operated radio, fan and extra batteries
• Clothing - rain gear, life vests, sturdy shoes, galoshes/boots and a whistle
• First aid kit, sunscreen and feminine hygiene supplies and personal hygiene items (toiletries, soap, toothbrush, etc)
• Medication – make sure your prescription is full and you have an adequate supply at all times during hurricane season
• Mosquito coils, citronella candles and/or spray
• Rope/strong twine, duct/packing tape
• Shut off wrench and pliers
• Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
• Tarpaulin for roof
• Surgical and yard gloves (for clean up)
• Paper towel, toilet paper and napkins
• Disposable plates, plastic glasses, plastic cutlery and several plastic bags
• Aluminium foil, plastic freezer bags
• Can opener/knife (e.g. Swiss army)
• Clorox wipes (for cleaning cutlery)
• Chlorine bleach (sterilising water) and Dettol (disinfecting hands and feet)
• Hand sanitiser (such as Germ X) and baby wipes (for personal hygiene)
• Face masks and protective gloves (for protection again viruses)
  
• Ice chest and ice
• Broom, mop, bucket and rubbish bags
• Pet food and litter box
• Baby supplies: nappies, wipes, food
• Books, magazines and games

Food & Water Supplies

You should purchase 5-7 days supply of non-perishable items before hurricane season starts.

Here is a list of essential items that are highly recommended:

• Water purification tablets
  
• Canned/ powdered milk, baby food, formula, wipes, nappies/diapers plus medication and vitamins
  
• Salt, pepper, dry seasoning, sugar, coconut or olive oil
  
• Tea, instant coffee
  
• Drinking water (allow one gallon per person per day – also used for washing face, teeth and hands)
  
• Energy drinks, fruit juices
  
• Spam, corned beef, canned fish, Vienna sausages
  
• Miracle Whip (not mayonnaise)
  
• Peanut butter, jelly, syrups, honey
  
• Bread, crackers, cookies (in a water-tight container)
  
• Canned spray cheese
  
• Canned soup, cup-of-noodles, ravioli, spaghetti, canned vegetables, canned and dried beans
  
• Canned fruit, dried fruit, raisins
  
• Nuts, grains and other snacks like breakfast bars
  
• Couscous, quinoa, quick-cook rice
  
• Salsa and salad dressings
  
• Packet mashed potatoes and ‘instant eggs’

Important Documents and Records

Be sure to store important documents and records in a portable, watertight container, scan or back up to an external hard drive.

Here is a list of important documents and records that you should keep safe:

• Passports, birth certificates, driver’s licences and pets’ documents
• Photographs of home contents and vehicles for insurance purposes
• Digital back up of photos and a video of your property and valuable items
• Inventory of household (itemised)
• Bank accounts and credit card information
• Insurance policies, wills, contracts and deeds of your home

Leaving the Island

Have a plan and funds in place in the event that you decide to leave the Island before a disaster. The airport will get very busy during this time. Pay close attention to flight availability – some airlines increase the number of flights during evacuation periods, but flights still fill up quickly.

Island Air (Tel: (345) 949 5252) can provide evacuation services during the hurricane season. If you require assistance with passports or travel documents, talk to your local Honorary Consul in advance.