Be Hurricane ready
Courtesy of Ralph's Tropical Weather
After the HurricaneSession: 9The Do's and Don'ts after a storm:
DO stay tuned to local news and remain indoors until you hear the official "ALL Clear".
DO stay away from ALL downed power lines, whether the power is off in your neighborhood or not. The line can still be "ENERGIZED".
DON'T use your telephone unless you have an emergency, and DON'T call 911 except for life-threatening situations.
DON'T attempt to move back into your home if it has sustained structural damage. Wait until local officials check it. Each county has plans to certify buildings for safety before habitation.
DON'T allow children to walk around without shoes. There are many foot injuries after a hurricane. (Check with your doctor prior to storm about a TETANUS booster).
I repeat DON'T go near downed power lines, even if the power in you neighborhood is off. Instruct Children to STAY AWAY. If possible rope off the area with yellow caution tape or a rope and post a sign: "DANGER! KEEP OUT WIRE DOWN".
DON'T cut trees that are touching or near powerlines.
DON'T pile debris near power or telephone poles or equipment. This will delay service from being restored.
DON'T report individual interruptions in electric, gas, water, or telephone service. Utility companies will restore service as quickly as possible after the storm. Only when service has generally been restored in your neighborhood and you are still having trouble, is when you should call the utility company.
DO call the police or utility company immediately to report downed power lines, broken gas or water mains, or overturned gas tanks. If you do not have electricity, turn off all light switches and appliances until the power is restored in your neighborhood. This will avoid power system overloads, which may further delay electricity service from being restored. Just leave one circuit open with a room light or lamp on so you'll know when power has been restored.
DON'T connect a portable or electric generator to your house wiring. The power from these generators can actually flow out of your house and re-charge the lines. Power Company and phone Company employees have been injured because people used their portable generators improperly. They do sell transfer switches boxes that you can have a certified electrician wire up separately for use with a portable generator. (Click here)
DON'T drink the tap water immediately after a hurricane. Assume a "Boil Water Order" is in effect until you are informed it has been lifted.
Note: In case of severe structural damage to your home and the smell of gas you will need to locate the gas main shutoff to your house. See information below on how to perform this function.
Shutting off Gas "MAIN" in case of an emergency:
TEST YOUR GAS VALVE: Locate and identify your gas meter and main shut-off valve with those persons you believe could and should know how to shut off the gas, if necessary.
Using a 12" adjustable, (or other appropriate wrench), turn the main valve 1/8 of a turn only to the right or left, (this movement may be difficult at first). WARNING: when using a steel wrench, try not to bang the wrench against the shutoff valve. This could cause a spark and an explosion. They do sell spark proof tool used by First Responder personnel or utility workers and it is not expensive.
CAUTION: Be careful not to turn the main valve MORE than 1/8 of a turn to the right or left, (if you do, your pilot lights will very likely go out, and will require trained personnel to relight). Note: this is only if your house has not sustained severe structural damage. Otherwise you would proceed to completely shut off the valve.
NOTE: IF THE MAIN VALVE WILL NOT ROTATE 1/8 TURN, CALL THE GAS COMPANY, AND THEY WILL COME OUT AND FIX OR REPLACE IT.
(See Pictures Below)
Here is a special non-sparking tool used for this purpose. (See Picture below)
Natural Gas Shutoff valve
Shutoff valves are located on the pipe that comes up from the ground.
Picture below shows a picture of where it is located.
