In recent years it seems to me that the media, especially our local forecasters get everyone wound up about pending weather, only to find that they have blown the whole event out of proportion. Obviously, it concerns me as after crying wolf, people start to ignore the warnings. Here are a few tips for assisting you and your family should bad weather hit.
Prepare your home
- Secure lawn furniture and items in the yard or deck
- Trim dead branches
- Clean out gutters
- Keep tools on hand (hammer, screwdriver, wrench, etc.)
- Have a plastic tarp handy
- Trash bags for clean up
- Camera with batteries to document before & after
- Know how to turn off your utilities (electric, gas & water)
- Take inventory of your home, which is a record that can be helpful when dealing with insurance
companies. Try this free software.
Important personal information
- Compile important documents (social security cards, bank records, insurance and medical
documents) - Credit cards
- Cell phone with charger
- Valuables (jewelry, photo albums, etc.)
- Pets and essentials
- Radio with batteries for weather updates
Important numbers
- Virginia Road conditions: 1-800-367-ROAD
- Dial 911 in case of life threatening emergency
Emergency Management Numbers
- Virginia Beach 757-385-4111
- Chesapeake 757-382-6464
- Norfolk 757-441-5600
- Portsmouth 757-393-8338
- Suffolk 757-923-2110
The most important thing is to think, don’t panic.
