Helene has arrived. Please complete these 14 tasks to get ready
If you haven’t started preparing yet, now is the time. Hurricane Helene is predicted to make landfall along the Florida Gulf Coast near Tallahassee on Thursday night, then move northward, bringing hurricane- and tropical storm-force winds along with heavy rainfall into North Georgia and up to Tennessee. According to the National Weather Service, the Carolinas could see as much as 18 inches of rain.
Approximately 40 million Americans are currently under hurricane or tropical storm warnings across five states, as reported by CNN Supervising Meteorologist Brandon Miller.
In Sarasota, Habitat for Humanity construction field manager Danny Bilyeu and volunteer Mike Sanderson are busy installing hurricane storm panels on a new home on Gladstone St. in preparation for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9.
As the storm approaches, its strongest effects are expected overnight, necessitating special preparations.
“If someone is going to bed around 9 or 10 tonight, it might feel calm with just some breezy 20- to 30-mile-per-hour winds. However, by 2 or 3 a.m., those winds could escalate to 50 to 60 miles per hour, so it’s crucial to prepare before going to sleep,” Miller warns.
He recommends raising the volume on your phone or watch to ensure you hear emergency alerts. Keep these devices nearby and fully charged, as many areas may lose power overnight, which could hinder restoration efforts.
With heavy rainfall saturating the soil and strong winds posing a risk of falling trees, it's wise to choose a room in your home away from tall trees to sleep in if possible. “Select a room that offers the best protection from debris and sleep there tonight,” advises Miller. In case the storm generates tornadoes, he suggests staying on the ground floor in an interior room away from windows.
To ensure your family's safety, here are some additional preparations you can take now:
Locate Nearby Shelters: Check the Red Cross for shelter maps.
Pack a "Go Bag": Prepare a bag with essentials in case you need to leave home quickly.
Digitize Important Documents: Take photos of critical documents, such as your driver’s license.
Secure Outdoor Items: High winds can turn outdoor furniture and decorations into projectiles, so bring them inside.
Stock Up on Nonperishable Food: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends a three-day supply of food for each person and pet.
Plan for Food Usage: Choose grocery items that won’t spoil without power, like shelf-stable milk, instant coffee, and paper plates.
Assemble a Basic First-Aid Kit: The Red Cross provides guidance on what to include.
Have Tools Ready: Keep essential tools, such as a Swiss Army Knife, wrench, or saw, accessible for potential emergencies.
Prepare Flashlights: Locate flashlights and replace their batteries.
Charge Electronics: Fully charge phones, tablets, and computers. Consider downloading movies and shows to stay entertained during outages.
Backup Power Supplies: Have power banks ready and ensure you have charging cables in your vehicle.
Fill Your Gas Tank: Ensure your gas tank is full or charge your electric vehicle.
Prep Your Generator: If you have a generator, ensure it’s fueled and never use it indoors. Follow safety guidelines for operation.
Access Emergency Information: Consider having a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio for updates, and check CNN’s lite site if you have low-bandwidth access.
By taking these steps, you can better protect yourself and your family during Hurricane Helene.
