16 Named Storms
 9 Hurricanes
 5 Major Hurricanes

Andrea	Fernand	Karen	Pablo	Wendy
Barry	Gabrielle	Lorenzo	Rebekah
Chantal	Humberto	Melissa	Sebastien
Dorian	Ingrid	Nestor	Tanya
Erin	Jerry	Olga	Van

 

Insurance
Begin by checking your Property or Rental Insurance. Flood Insurance is NOT included in your property insurance. Also be aware that Insurance companies are NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE ANY POLICY CHANGES, or sell new policies once a Tropical Storm has been identified that may threaten the East Coast or Gulf Coast of the United States.

Know what your policy covers, and will not cover. Review your deductibles. They may be different for Flood insurance. Take a photograph or video inventory of your possessions.

Organize Important Documents
Make a list of the important documents that you would want to protect. This may include;
    Insurance Policies, home and vehicle
    Medical and Bank records
    Photos
    Important phone numbers
    Legal documents
Make plans to be able to quickly assemble and transport these in waterproof containers should an evacuation be ordered.

Plan Your Evacuation
There are multiple routes out of Camden County. You should familiarize yourself with these routes prior to an evacuation. Plan a weekend drive to explore Camden County and locate these different routes. ALWAYS CARRY A GEORGIA STATE MAP IN YOUR VEHICLE. GPS units and navigation systems may not show all alternate routes.

Choose a Destination and an Alternate
Having an Out-of-Town contact serves 2 purposes. This person could be your host for you and your family during the evacuation as well as the Contact person for friends and relatives trying to contact you. Local phone networks, both land-line and cellular will be overloaded during these types of events. Ask those wishing to contact you to use your Out-of-Town Contact.

Pets are Family Too
Keep pet records current and have copies to take with you. Plan for the pets need as well. Include;
    Carriers or kennels
    Food and water
    Leases and possibly muzzles
    Toys
If you plan to stay in motels or shelters, understand that not all places allow pets.
Please do not abandon your pets.

Protecting Your Home
At the beginning of hurricane season is the best time to buy supplies to fortify your home. Once a storm is forecast to be a potential threat to our area, hurricane supplies become scarce and expensive. Buy plywood and cut it to fit each window, remember to identify where each piece goes and include fasteners.
    
    

Stock Up
    Trash bags, can be used for emergency waterproof covers
    Personal hygiene products
    Toiletries
    Bug spray
    2 week supply of meds
    1 week supply of clothing
    Snacks, drinks and water
    Entertainment for kids
    Fill cars with gas and check fluid levels

Prepare Your Home
Remove items from your yard that can become flying debris. Lawn furniture, grills, potted plants, decorations can become projectiles even in minor storms. Install shutters or plywood to protect windows. Pack freezers and refrigerators with water jugs to fill voids and help retain cold. Wrapping these with blankets will also help insulate and keep cold in. Group furniture to center of rooms and drape with tarps. Pack valuables in thicker lawn and leaf bags to waterproof. Place rolled towels in window sills and door bottoms to help keep out water. Unplug all unnecessary electrical devices.

There simply is no good reason to take chances. If ordered to evacuate, LEAVE. However, should you insist on staying behind there are some things you should prepare for.

No Electricity
When we experience high winds combined  with heavy rainfall, trees will be blown down. Power lines will be be damaged and electrical service interrupted. The length of the outages depends on the severity and duration of the storm, and the availability of repair crews.

No Water
Whether your water comes from a municipality or your own well, pumps rely on electricity to deliver water. See above.

No Stores or Gas Stations
Businesses will be closed and operators will have evacuated. They too will need electricity to operate.

No 911 Services
Once an evacuation has been ordered AND sustained winds reach 35 mph, Public Safety services cannot operate. Large vehicles such as ambulances and fire truck are very susceptible to high winds and rollovers.

You should be prepared to have 7 to 10 days of food, water, medicines, emergency first aid supplies, and any other items that may be needed.

Emergency Workers and Utility Crews will have to cut and push their way back into the County should we experience heavy destruction. 7 to 10 days is a conservative number to be prepared for.

Never Go Barefoot
Storm debris will be everywhere. Broken glass in grass and in water cannot be seen easily. Flood waters may be contaminated.

Never Go Out During the Eye of the Storm
Hurricanes can appear calm in the center or eye. A change in wind speed and direction can occur suddenly with devastating results.

Never Leave Candles or Oil Lamps Unattended
Try to avoid using any type of open flames for light or heat.

Never Operate Outdoor Grills Indoors
Grills produce carbon monoxide to can cause death in enclosed areas.

Things You Should Do
Check on family, friends and neighbors.
Be extremely cautious with pets that have experienced storm conditions. They may be stressed.
Watch out for wild animals that may be displaced.
Take pictures of damages; notify insurance company, landlord or property owner as soon as possible.
Monitor local news for information.

Be patient and considerate with family, neighbors and government employees. Surviving a storm is traumatic for everyone.

Lend a helping hand when and where you can.

The Important Thing to Remember After a Storm Is That You Survived.
And Give Thanks.

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

The goal of this Hurricane Preparedness Web site is to inform the public about the hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to take ACTION. This information can be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

Hurricane Hazards
Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly.

But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

You should be able to answer the following questions before a hurricane threatens: Visit the NOAA Coastal Services Center Historical Hurricane Tracks website to learn about historical tropical cyclones occurring in different areas located throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico.