Hurricane Safety

SUPPLY CHECKLIST:
Below are links to printable hurricane checklists.  Click on print them out to be sure your supplies are ready for the season.
http://www.wcti12.com/hurricane_checklist.htm
http://www.ficoh.com/pdf/checklist.pdf

HOME SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS:
Check out these links to get prepared for the event of a hurricane.  There are also many tips and general information you need to help weather the storm.
http://www.cmpco.com/safety/hurricane.html
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/hurricanes/
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml

Also download and print your FREE HURRICANE TRACKING MAPS by clicking to these links:
http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USNationalWide.asp?loc=us ...
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/hurricanes/hutkmp1.shtm

Click here to see CURRENT TRACKING INFORMATION of active storms and tropical conditions:
http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USNationalStd.asp?loc=usa.....

MARINER SAFETY:
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all mariners take proper safety precautions throughout the hurricane season.

The hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lt. Samuel Johnson, a search and rescue controller for the Eighth Coast Guard District here, wants to discourage mariners who think they can "ride out" a strong storm or hurricane. He said that boaters, commercial or recreational, should heed storm warnings and bring their vessel to safe moorings.

Johnson, who coordinates search and rescue operations throughout the Gulf coast, also recommends boaters contact bridge tenders for any deviations to posted schedules due to approaching storms.

In addition to the above points, the following are some tips to keep mariners safe this hurricane season:

• Know your local and national weather sources and monitor them continuously.
• Remove small boats from the water and ensure all loose items are properly secured. Ensure your boat is tied securely to its trailer.
• At the first sign of heavy weather, seek shelter. Ensure all aboard the boat have a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Contact the Coast Guard immediately if you need help. Coast Guard frequencies are on channel 16 VHF/FM or 2182 MHZ. Don't rely on cell phones in place of a radio. Use cell phones only as a backup system.
• Watch out for and report oil, gasoline or chemical spills to the Coast Guard and local emergency agencies.
• File a float plan before getting underway. A float plan is a simple way of letting a friend or family member know your destination(s) and important information about your boat. If you change your destination, contact your float plan holder and let him know.
• If you have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), ensure your vessel information is updated and accurate.
• After the storm has passed, contact the Coast Guard if you notice your boat is missing. This will help with post storm recovery missions. You can replace a boat; you can't replace a life.

In case of emergency please contact your local Coast Guard unit or the district command center at 985-589-6225. To report oil spills or hazardous substance release, contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

For more information about storm preparedness, you can visit www.uscg.mil/news/stormcenter , or call Coast Guard Public Affairs at 985-589-6287.