THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 4C MAY 28, 2015 THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. MAY 28, 2015 5C

HURRICANE SEASONYOUR GUIDE TO HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

HURRICANE SEASON IS JUNE 1 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30

• Keep your vehicle gas tank above ½ full through the sea-

son.• Test-run generators monthly with a load to insure proper working order.• Consider the purchase of lood insurance (must be pur-chased 30 days before the event), even if outside of a lood plain. Check your homeowner’s renters insurance policy.• Have cash on hand ($100) in small denominations for year-round preparedness.• Maintain a NOAA weather radio or portable battery pow-

ered AM radio.• Contact 2-1-1 to register if you need transportation as-sistance to evacuate.

GENERAL PREPAREDNESS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

• Board up your windows or close storm shutters.• Trim the trees and shrubs around your home.• Clear loose and clogged downspouts and rain gutters.• Perform an inventory of home contents

(electronics, jewelry, appliances, clothing, etc.) and store in a safe place.• Take detailed photos(s) or videos(s) of home property and contents (internal and external) and store in a safe place.• Secure or remove all items outside your home (grill, hanging plants, potted plants, etc.)• Tie down small or young trees to pre-

vent uprooting.

• Store all important documents (insurance papers, etc.) in a waterproof container and in a secure location.• Prepare your evacuation kit using the per-tinent items in the attached Emergency Es-sentials Kit checklist.• Turn off propane tanks.• Fill the bathtub, washing machine and other large containers with water for sani-tary purposes (cleaning, lushing toilets, etc.)

HOME PREPAREDNESS • Listen to the radio (AM 1120 WSME) or TV for information.• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to its coldest setting and keep the doors closed.• Avoid using the phone except for emergencies.• Stay indoors during the storm and away from windows and glass doors.• Close all interior doors.• Keep curtains and blinds closed.• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level of your home.

DURING THE STORM

• Have a ire extinguisher readily available in the case of a ire.• Watch for safety hazards (loose boards, slippery loors, broken glass, etc.)• Carefully check for damage to the roof, foundation and chimney. If the building looks unsta-

ble do not enter.• Use a stick or other tool to sift through debris.• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.• If you smell natural gas, leave the structure and contact your local gas utility company.• Use a battery powered lashlight to inspect the structure. Do not use oil or gas lanterns or can-

dles inside the structure.• If structural damage is present, turn off utilities.• Do not use electrical appliances that have been wet/damaged until checked by a profes-sional.• Check with local authorities or have well water tested before using any water (could be con-

taminated).• Until cleared with authorities or tested, all water should be boiled for one minute at a rolling boil to disinfect before drinking.• Avoid using any toilets until you have checked for sewage or water line damage. If you sus-pect damage call a plumber.• Service damaged sewage systems as soon as possible as they present serious health hazards (septic tanks, pits, etc.)• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functioning properly.• If any damage is identiied to your home, contact your insurance company to start a claim.• Photograph and document any damage.• Throw away any spoiled food items or those that have come in contact with lood waters. When in doubt throw it out!

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING SHELTERS, FAMILY PLANNING AND MORE RESOURCES, PLEASE VISIT:www.mcieast.marines.mil/StaffOfices/EmergencyManagement/MCBCampLejeune.aspx

Food• Seven day supply of non-per-

ishable food that doesn’t need cooking

• Hand-operated can opener• Plastic plates, cups, utensils

Water• One gallon of drinking water

per person per day enough for ive days

First Aid• Red Cross approved irst aid kit• Backup prescriptions for essen-

tial medications

Personal Hygiene• Hand sanitizer or disinfectant

wipes• Toilet paper, paper towels, gar-

bage bags• Dental care and vision products• Travel-size soaps and other

beauty supplies• Change of clothes, a pair of

shoes and a blanket per person

Clean Air Items• Nose and mouth protection

masks (N-95 rating)• Plastic sheeting• Duct tape

Baby Items• Formula, bottles, powdered milk• Diapers• Baby wipes• Diaper rash ointment

Lighting• Flashlights with extra batteries

for each family member• Fluorescent lanterns for each

common area• Waterproof matches or a utility

lighter

Communication• Portable, battery-powered AM/

FM radio NOAA All Hazards Alert Radio

• Land-line phone with long cord• Extra batteries for radio• Extra cell phone battery or car

charger• Whistle

Family Safety Items• Smoke detector with battery for

each loor• Carbon monoxide detector

with battery backup• Fire extinguisher• Non-scented bleach for

sanitization• Sunscreen• Insect repellent• Shovel and basic tools

Transportation Items• State and regional road maps

Basic repair items (tools, tire patch kit, engine oil)

• Emergency Road Safety Triangles• Games, books, puzzles

Pet Needs• Seven day supply of non-perish-

able pet food and water• Cage or pet carrier• Pet medications and pet irstaid

kit/current shots record• Current photo in case you are

separated• Cat litter and box• Pet bed and toys• Muzzle and leash

EMERGENCY ESSENTIALS KIT CHECKLIST

National Hurricane Center:nhc.noaa.gov

National Weather Service:weather.gov

Camp Lejeune Hurricane information:lejeune.usmc.mil/mcb/hur-ricane-guide

Get Ready North Carolina:ReadyNC.org

Onslow County:onslowcountync.gov

American Red Cross:redcross.org

HELPFUL WEB SITES LINKSFor all emergencies, on and off base, call 911.

CAMP LEJEUNE:• In the event of a hurricane, base residents may call the information line at 451-1717 and select option four for more information. • Camp Lejeune American Red Cross: 451-2173• Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune: 450-4910

ONSLOW COUNTY• Onslow County American Red Cross: 347-3581• Onslow County Emergency Operations Center: 347-4270

PENDER COUNTY• Cape Fear American Red Cross: 762-2683• Pender County Emergency Management: 259-1210

CARTERET COUNTY• Coastal Carolina American Red Cross: 252-637-3405• Carteret County Emergency Services: 252-728-8470

OTHER• FEMA: 202-646-2500• EPA’s State Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your fam-

ily. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, lood-

ing and wind.• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances, the safest area may not be your home but within your community.• Determine escape routes from your home and plac-

es to meet in case family members are separated. The plan should be well known even to the children of the house.• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact out-side of the disaster area.• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. Keep your pet’s vaccination and health records in a safe place along with your travel documents.• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.• Check your insurance coverage – lood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Di-saster Supply Kit.• Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every six months, as you do with your smoke detectors.• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Category Wind Speed Storm surge Damage

5 156+ mph 19+ feet Catastrophic

4 131-155 mph 13-18 feet Extreme

3 111-130 mph 9-12 feet Extensive

2 96-110 mph 6-8 feet Moderate

1 74-95 mph 4-5 feet Minimal

Tropical Storm

39-73 mph 0-3 feet Minor

Tropical Depression

0-38 mph 0 feet

RANKING A STORM’S SEVERITYCPL. JOSHUA W. GRANTMCB Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River

While hurricane season hasn’t oficially begun, North Carolina has already expe-

rienced a notable weather event in trop-

ical storm Ana. While Ana wasn’t devastating, it was

a reminder of the importance to being prepared should more severe weather impact the local area.

Just over 50 percent of Americans have an emergency preparedness plan, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and even less have an established com-

munication plan or emergency meeting location.

This year, there are changes aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, re-

garding weather planning and shelters, that service members and their families should note.

If a severe weather event occurs and evacuation shelters open, Camp Le-

jeune High School will no longer serve as a shelter. Instead, service members and

their families are asked to head for Wal-lace Creek Fitness Center.

Additionally, pets will no longer be per-mitted in on base shelters. Jacksonville Commons’ evacuation site is the closest off-base shelter that allows pets.

Preparing for a weather emergency includes more than just deciding where to take shelter.

Creating a preparedness kit, illed with essentials such as water, food, lashlights and blankets is also a great way to get ready. It’s a good idea to make a kit for your home, work place and car, as one never knows where disaster will strike.

Petra Nemcova, a Czech philanthro-

pist and founder of Happy Hearts Fund, once said “We cannot stop natural disas-ters but we can arm ourselves with knowl-edge. So many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough disaster pre-

paredness.”Take the time to prepare. Your safety

and well being is of paramount impor-tance to the Marine Corps Installations East Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune team.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SAVES LIVES

2015 TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE NAMES

Contact your veterinarian or local humane so-

ciety for more information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

BEFORE THE DISASTER• Make sure that your pets are current on their vac-

cinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines. • Have a current photograph of your pet.• Keep a collar with identiication on your pet and

have a leash on hand to control your pet. • Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal

— carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.

• Plan your evacuation strategy and don’t forget your pet. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shel-ters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are all potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

• If you plan to shelter your pet — work it into your evacuation route planning.

DURING THE DISASTER• Animals brought to a pet shelter are required

to have: Proper identiication collar and rabies tag, proper identiication on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, speciic care instructions and newspapers or trash bags for clean-up.

• Bring pets indoors well in advance of a storm - re-

assure them and remain calm. • Pet shelters will be illed on a irst come, irst served

basis. Call ahead and determine availability.

AFTER THE DISASTER• Walk pets on a leash until they become re-ori-

ented to their home — often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

• If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control ofice to ind out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.

• After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive — monitor their behavior.

• Don’t forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT• Proper identification, including immunization

records • Ample supply of food and water • A carrier or cage • Medications • Muzzle, collar and leash

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: • The Humane Society: hsus.org

• FEMA - animals and emergencies: fema.gov/haz-ard/index.shtm

• Locate pet-friendly hotels and motels: dogfriend-

ly.com• Camp Lejeune Veterinary Clinic: 450-1607

PET PLAN

1. Ana

2. Bill

3. Claudette

4. Danny

5. Erika

6. Fred

7. Grace

8. Henri

9. Ida

10. Joaquin

11. Kate

12. Larry

13. Mindy

14. Nicholas

15. Odette

16. Peter

17. Rose

18. Sam

19. Teresa

20. Victor

21. Wanda

2015