Dear Teacher,
Thank you for using the 2017 Texas Windstorm Insurance Association’s Hurricane Preparedness
Teacher Toolkit. We are pleased to work with Texas Gulf Coast educators like you to help students
learn how hurricane preparedness can protect families and their homes.
What’s in this Year’s Teacher Toolkit?
2017 Contest: Deadline May 16
Help us name the newest member of the Hurricane Safety Squad! The student winner
and runner up will each receive a North Face backpack filled with preparedness gear
such as a NOAA weather radio and a headlamp. Teachers win, too! The teacher of the
grand prize winner will receive a $100 gift card to Office Depot and a collection of fun
weather books for the classroom. Details enclosed.
Activities for Students
The enclosed activities align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
curriculum for third and fourth grade students. Relevant classroom subjects include
English language arts and reading, social studies, and science.
Resources for Families
Students are invited to take home the Resources for Families: Prepare at Home page
that includes potentially lifesaving information.
Online Activities & Resources
Find more hurricane preparedness resources at twia.org/teachers. You and your
students can:
• Test your hurricane knowledge with an interactive activity
• Download and print this packet
• Download and print Spanish-language activities and resources
• Submit a teacher feedback survey
What is the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association?
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) was established in 1971 by the Texas Legislature
to provide wind and hail insurance coverage along the Texas Gulf Coast to those unable to obtain it
from other insurance carriers. TWIA’s mission is to provide essential property insurance for eligible
Texas properties when no one else will.
Teacher Survey: Tell Us How We Are Doing
We hope you find this toolkit useful. Tell us what’s working, or how we can improve, by taking our
2017 Teacher Survey found on the back of this page, or online at twia.org/teachers.
Sincerely,
TWIA Communications Team
This packet is provided as a public service and is for informational and educational purposes only. TWIA has provided
it to raise awareness about hurricanes and to help educators and students prepare to act if a hurricane is imminent
in your area. TWIA makes no warrantees or guarantees regarding the information or advice contained in this packet.
No single document can provide the best advice for all situations, and information in this packet is not intended to
replace, nor should it be used to replace, guidance from your local government, and/or emergency response system.
2017 Teacher Survey
Tell Us How We Are Doing
Please help us improve our Hurricane Preparedness
Teacher Toolkits by completing this survey. You can
complete it online at twia.org/teachers. Or you can
fill out this paper form and either scan and email it to
[email protected] or mail the hard copy to:
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
Attn: Communications Department
PO Box 99090
Austin, TX 78709-9090
Educator Information
Name: _________________________________________________________
Grade Level(s):__________________________________________________
School:_________________________________________________________
School District:__________________________________________________
Email Address:___________________________________________________
1.
Which of the following is available in your classroom? (please check all that apply)
____ Reliable internet connection
____ Computer for the teacher
____ Computer(s) for students
____ Printer
____ Tablets / iPads
2. Currently, materials are distributed through this printed packet and the companion website:
twia.org/teachers. Would you prefer another format?
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Is having Spanish-language content (available at twia.org/teachers) important to you and
your students? _______YES _______NO
4. Did you send home the page Resources for Families: Prepare at Home?
_______YES _______NO
5. What activities (packet or online) were most useful and engaging for your students? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
6. Which activities did you not use? Why? _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
7. Did you or your students visit twia.org/teachers? _______YES _______NO
8. If “Yes” to the above, are there any additional materials you would like included on the website?
__________________________________________________________________________________
9. When is the best time of year for you to receive packet materials? __Dec/Jan __Feb/Mar__Apr/May
Why?_____________________________________________________________________________
10.How can we better tailor our educational program to you and your students?
__________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to provide this valuable feedback.
We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
2017 Contest: Deadline May 16
2015 Winner
2016 Winner
NAME OUR HURRICANE SAFETY
SQUAD LEADER
Hurricane Safety Squad members, TexVortex and Parker, help Texans to remember “Don’t Be
Scared; Be Prepared!” for hurricanes and other windstorms. But this is a big job, and they need
help. This year, your students can help us name the new Hurricane Safety Squad leader.
Enter the contest!
Read her story on the back of this page, and have your students brainstorm
weather-themed names.
Email your students’ submissions to [email protected] by Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
Please include the following: student’s full name with their contest entry, grade level,
your name, school, and school’s mailing address.
Student & Teacher Prizes
Winning student will receive:
• North Face backpack
• NOAA weather radio
• Headlamp
• Walkie Talkies
• Educational weather books
• Other prizes
Teacher of winning students
will receive:
• $100 gift card to Office Depot
• Educational weather books for
the classroom
Runner up student will receive:
• North Face backpack
• NOAA weather radio
• Other prizes
2017 CONTEST
GIVE OUR NEW SQUAD LEADER A NAME.
IF YOURS IS CHOSEN, YOU AND YOUR TEACHER WILL
WIN AWESOME HURRICANE SAFETY SQUAD PRIZES!
HI!
I live on the Texas Gulf Coast. Ever since
I can remember, I’ve been curious about
weather. Bad weather can be a little
scary, but it’s so interesting to know
how it works.
Sometimes after a storm, I will go
down to the beach to see how the
weather changed the sand. I like to
look for beach glass, too – I have 47
pieces in my collection already!
My buddies, TexVortex and Parker
Shark, and I have formed the Hurricane
Safety Squad. We help our friends
prepare for hurricanes and other
storms so they, their families, and
their pets stay safe. You can join us!
Name our new squad leader! We're looking for a weather-themed
name for our hero, so be creative!
§113.15. Social Studies, Grade 4 (b) (7) (C)
WHAT’S MY NAME? TROPICAL CYCLONES
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure center, strong winds, and
thunderstorms that spiral out and produce heavy rains. But around the world these storms are known by
different names. Those that develop in the Atlantic and northeast Pacific Oceans - the ones we sometimes
see in Texas - are called hurricanes. But in Asia they are known as typhoons, and in the South Pacific and
Indian Oceans they are called cyclones.
A long time ago, hurricanes were named randomly. Now there are six lists with 21 names each, and each
list is used every six years. For example, the list used in 2011 will be used again in 2017. If a named storm
does a lot of damage, that name is removed from the list and replaced with a new one that begins with
the same letter. For instance, Matthew was retired from the list after that storm wreaked havoc in the
Caribbean last year. It will be replaced with Martin when that list is used again in 2022.
But whatever they’re called, these storms are powerful. Below is the list of names created by the World
Meteorological Organization for this year’s Atlantic storm season. How many can you find in the word
search below? Be sure to look forward, backward, and diagonal.
ARLENE
BRET
CINDY
DON
EMILY
FRANKLIN
GERT
HARVEY
IRMA
JOSE
KATIA
LEE
MARIA
NATE
OPHELIA
PHILIPPE
RINA
SEAN
TAMMY
VINCE
WHITNEY
E C J V B F L I F P A J B P L
E M T Y S R C I N D Y P H J P
P C I WE A W I T R E I T T U
E G N L C N E J A I L E H P O
N E S I Y K T N O I O M H D Y
E E I R V L I I P S A R C E B
L L I P U I H P H R E G V B P
R N A E S N E M I W I R M A B
A N U K K A T A D Q A X Q N Y
X Y M M A T B P B H R R T A G N U U R T E F G R O I R A T J
P O Z Y I R G J U E E P K E P
N W D D A B H A Q G C P U M K L B K MY Q A Z M E X X G K X
G S X ZM P O J T A B P U W X
Name:
TEKS Grade 4 §113.15 Social Studies, (b) (7)(C)
Hurricane
Crossword
HURRICANE
CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
Complete the crossword below
1
2
4
3
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly
rotating storm system with a
low pressure center, strong
winds, and thunderstorms that
spiral out producing heavy rain.
Around the world these storms
are known by different names.
5
6
This is different than a tornado
(sometimes called a twister)
that forms over water. That’s
called a waterspout!
7
8
9
11
WHAT AM I?
TROPICAL CYCLONES
10
Beware
and
Prepare
12
Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Crossword Maker
Down
All the answers can be found throughout
this packet.
l Niño and La Niña can cause _________
1. The calm center of a hurricane
ACROSS
hts) around the world
3. Hurricanes in Asia
2.
El
Niño
and
La
Niña
can
cause
____________
around
theformation
world. is called a
't be scared, be_______.
5. The first step in
hurricane
Don't be has
scared,
_________ 4.
(depression)
windsbe______________.
between 25
tropical
8 MPH
Another name
for a38
tornado
6. A ________________ has winds7.between
25 and
MPH
nadoes that form
over
water
are
called
9.
Plane
that
tracks
hurricanes
8. Tornadoes that form over water are called ______________.
A tornado __________
means
take_____________
shelter
10. A storm
surge
means take action to safely evacuate.
diately
11. When a depression becomes a storm it gets a _____________.
hen a depression becomes a storm it gets a
12. Hurricanes in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans
Hurricanes in the South Pacific and Indian
s(
DOWN
1. The calm center of a hurricane
3. Hurricanes in Asia
5. The first step in hurricane formation is called a tropical ________________.
7. Another name for a tornado
9. Plane that tracks hurricanes
Brownsville
Corpus Christi
New Orleans
JAMAICA
CUBA
Havana
Miami
Kingston
Port-Au-Prince
HAITI
BAHAMAS
S
E
Santo Domingo
PUERTO RICO
San Juan
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
Atlantic Ocean
W
N
Ike (2008)
22° Latitude, 66° Longitude
21° Latitude, 75° Longitude
22° Latitude, 82° Longitude
26° Latitude, 88° Longitude
28° Latitude, 93° Longitude
29° Latitude, 95° Longitude
Katrina (2005)
23° Latitude, 75° Longitude
26° Latitude, 77° Longitude
25° Latitude, 81° Longitude
24° Latitude, 85° Longitude
27° Latitude, 89° Longitude
31° Latitude, 90° Longitude
Longitude
30° Latitude, 81° Longitude
27° Latitude, 80° Longitude
24° Latitude, 77° Longitude
18° Latitude, 75° Longitude
13° Latitude, 73° Longitude
14° Latitude, 70° Longitude
Matthew (2016)
99° 98° 97° 96° 95° 94° 93° 92° 91° 90° 89° 88° 87° 86° 85° 84° 83° 82° 81° 80° 79° 78° 77° 76° 75° 74° 73° 72° 71° 70° 69° 68° 67° 66° 65° 64° 63° 62°
Gulf of Mexico
Galveston
Houston
Mexico City
MEXICO
Austin
Beaumont
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plot the courses of these three hurricanes from history: Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ike (2008),
and Hurricane Matthew (2016). Remember: always read latitude first, then longitude!
YOU CAN BE A HURRICANE HUNTER!
13°
14°
15°
16°
17°
18°
19°
20°
21°
22°
23°
24°
25°
26°
27°
28°
29°
30°
31°
32°
33°
34°
Whenever a hurricane
or typhoon threatens
the United States or
Caribbean islands,
weather heroes called
Hurricane Hunters answer
the call! Flying directly
into and through the
storm, their planes carry
special equipment that
can measure wind speed
and barometric pressure.
The information they
gather helps meteorologists predict the strength
and path of these storms,
which can help save lives.
TEXVORTEX
REPORTING
FOR DUTY!
TEKS Grade 3 §113.14. Social Studies (b) (5)
Latitude
CHILDREN OF THE STORM
TEKS Grade 4 §110.15. English Language Arts and Reading (b)
Have you heard of the two children who can change the
weather? El Niño and La Niña!
El Niño and La Niña events are periods of unusually high or
low surface temperatures that happen in the central and
pacific ocean
Atlantic ocean
More Hurricanes
less Hurricanes
Warm, Wet
eastern Pacific Ocean - the area off the western coasts of
Ecuador and Peru in South America. Scientists believe El Niño
and La Niña events might be strengthened by climate change.
El Niño Effect
El Niño means "Little Boy" or "Christ Child" in Spanish, and
gets its name because it often occurs around Christmastime.
El Niño is a warming of the surface temperature in the Pacific.
In an El Niño pattern, there are typically fewer hurricanes in
the Atlantic Ocean because it causes stronger trade winds and
greater stability in the atmosphere.
pacific ocean
Atlantic ocean
Less Hurricanes
more Hurricanes
cool, dry
La Niña means "Little Girl" in Spanish. La Niña causes a cooling
of the surface temperature in the Pacific and shows up only
La Niña Effect
about half as often as El Niño. During a La Niña year, more
hurricanes are likely in the Atlantic due to the weaker trade winds that cause instability in the atmosphere.
Both events affect weather in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to affecting hurricane frequency,
these hotter and cooler weather patterns can cause extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts.
ACTIVITY: FILL IN THE BLANKS
After you read the information above, fill in the blanks below with the correct answers.
1. Two weather events that can affect hurricanes are ______________ and _______________.
2. La Niña is Spanish for _____________________.
3. During an El Niño year, ocean water in the Pacific is _________________ than normal.
4. Scientists believe ___________________ might be responsible for strengthening El Niño and La
Niña events.
5. During a La Niña year, there are _________________ hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
6. El Niño and La Niña weather events can cause _________________ and _________________
in the United States and around the world.
Also in Español at twia.org/teachers
TEKS Grade 4 §112.15 Science (b)(3)
APPLY YOURSELF: LOGIC
Science is the study of the world around us. Scientists use observations, reasoning, experiments, and logic
to explain our world. Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere and its effects on weather. Before
Hurricane Hunters, we knew much less about hurricanes. But the data they gathered (and continue to gather
today) helps meteorologists predict when and where hurricanes will form – they don’t have to guess anymore.
Each Wordoku puzzle below can be solved using logic, too. These puzzles have mini-grids — the four, six, or nine
squares contained inside the bold lines. The object is to fill all empty squares so that the letters of the solution
word appear exactly and only once in each row, column, and mini-grid.
• Inside each mini-grid, the solution word’s letters will appear only once.
• Inside each row, the solution word’s letters will appear only once.
• Inside each column, the solution word’s letters will appear only once.
Can you solve these puzzles? Don’t guess – use logic!
Safe
Example: This row
already has an "S" so it
can't go in these squares
S
S
Mini
Grid
Hunter
So for this
mini grid,
the "S"
must go
here
A
R
F
N
N
E
R
H
N
T
N
T
R
E
E
U
E
T
E
Windstorm
M
T
D
O
N
W
D
M
I
T
W
M
D
M
R
S
I
D
O
N
M
I
S
N
I
T
O
W
N
O
M
R
D
T
R
W
TEKS Grade 4 §110.15. English Language Arts and Reading (b)
STORM SURGE SAFETY: RISING TIDES
Hurricanes produce something called “storm surge” – ocean water that’s pushed up onto land by the force of the
winds. Sometimes the water travels a long way inland. Often, the reason people evacuate their homes before a
hurricane isn’t only the wind; it’s also the risk of severe flooding.
Starting this year, the National Weather Service is ready to issue storm surge watches and warnings in your area.
Here’s what you need to know:
IF A METEOROLOGIST SAYS…
Storm Surge Watch
It means there is the possibility of rising water in your area in the next 48 hours.
Make evacuation preparations.
Storm Surge Warning
It means life-threatening rising water is expected in your area in the next 36 hours.
Take action to safely evacuate.
SAFETY FIRST
If a Storm Surge Watch is
issued:
If a Storm Surge Warning is
issued:
•
•
•
•
Review your family’s flood evacuation plan.
Assemble your family emergency kit and pet emergency kit.
Listen to the news for further instructions.
Gather your family, pets, and emergency kits, and evacuate to higher ground
immediately.
• Stay away from flowing water, as it can rise rapidly.
• Remember – if you are in a car: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” It only takes two
feet of water to sweep a car off its tires.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Consider this scenario and write down what you would do. Discuss your answers with your teacher and
classmates.
You and your family are watching TV at home when a meteorologist breaks in to say there’s a storm
surge warning in your area. What do you do?
_____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information on this page taken from: www.nhc.noaa.gov/news/20170123_pa_SSWW.pdf
TEKS Grade 3 §117.111 Art (b)(1)
MARIA AND MATT’S MENAGERIE STRATEGY
Maria and Matt live with their family and furry friends. They just learned how to prepare for hurricane season and
are excited to make an emergency kit to keep their family and furry friends safe in case of a hurricane.
Help them find all the items to go in their emergency kit. Look carefully – some of them are hiding in plain sight!
Find the following items:
Money
Phone Charger
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Map
First Aid Kit
Leash
Pet Water Bowl
TEKS Grade 4 §110.15. English Language Arts and Reading (b)
HOW A HURRICANE FORMS
1. The hurricanes we see here in Texas get their start in the warm water and windy conditions off
the western coast of Africa. The wind blows over the ocean, evaporating the water and turning
it into vapor. The vapor then rises, cools and condenses into water droplets which form clouds.
The cloud columns build higher and thunderstorms develop. A tropical disturbance is born.
2. Air at the top of the disturbance warms again, creating high pressure that pushes wind out
and down to the surface. This causes low pressure at the surface, and the air rises again and
creates more thunderstorm clouds. The air at the top cools and dries off, and then sinks down
the center, like water going down a drain. Winds become more intense and begin to rotate in a
circular motion. When they reach 25 mph, the disturbance becomes a tropical depression.
3. If the warm water of the ocean continues to feed the depression and wind speeds increase
to 39 mph, the depression becomes a tropical storm. A distinctive eye in the center begins to
form. It also gets a name from the World Meteorological Organization’s annual list of names
for tropical storms.
4. If the storm develops winds of at least 74 mph, it officially becomes a tropical cyclone, or hurricane. It can gain strength if it stays over warm water. But if it moves over land, it loses its
energy source, and breaks apart.
HURRICANE ANATOMY:
CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE PARTS OF A HURRICANE?
Moist Air
Warm Ocean
Eye: the area at the center of a hurricane around which strong
winds rotate, but which itself is relatively calm.
Eyewall: the area on the outside of the eye that produces the
highest winds and most intense rainfall.
Spiral rainbands: arm-like rings of thunderstorms that surround a
hurricane, giving it a distinctive appearance.
test your knowledge!
Go to twia.org/teachers
for our interactive quiz!
On average, six hurricanes will form in the Atlantic each year. Of those, some may reach the Texas
Gulf Coast area. If a hurricane comes ashore, there can be storm surge flooding, wind damage, property destruction, and dangerous debris left over.
The best way to be safe is to be prepared! Talk with your parents about creating a Family Emergency
Plan so everyone knows where to go and how to reach each other. Fill out these cards and give one
to each member of your family to make sure they know who to call and where to meet in case of an
emergency:
FOLD HERE
FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME:_________________________
___________________________________________
TELEPHONE:____________________________________
___________________________________________
OUT-OF-TOWN CONTACT NAME:_______________________
___________________________________________
TELEPHONE:____________________________________
___________________________________________
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLACE:______________________
___________________________________________
TELEPHONE:____________________________________
___________________________________________
OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS:________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
MAKE A LIST, CHECK IT TWICE
Before a hurricane strikes, take these steps to be ready to evacuate if necessary:
1. Build an emergency kit. Put these and other items in a waterproof container:
•Non-perishable food (like dried fruit or peanut butter), can opener
•First aid kit
•Flashlights with extra batteries
•Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper
•Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, paper towels
•Water for people and pets
•Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
•Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
•Whistle to signal for help
2. Create a Family Emergency Plan Card. Give everyone a copy to keep in their wallets
or backpacks.
3. Prepare your house to prevent damage:
•Turn off gas and electricity
•Board-up windows
•Bring outside furniture inside
TAKING CARE OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS
Pets are part of our families and should never be left behind in a
disaster. They rely on their human friends to take care of them!
If you plan ahead, you can make sure they are just as safe as the
rest of your family.
Just like you, your pets will need some basics away from home:
food, clean water, and a safe, comfortable place to rest. Make sure your pet
is wearing a collar with your phone number on it, or that they have been
micro-chipped, so you can find them if they get lost. Use the checklist below
to start building your pet’s hurricane kit.
PET
SAFETY
Your furry friends may be nervous, and a pat on the head or reassuring voice
could go a long way. Always remember to be kind!
BUILD YOUR OWN PET EMERGENCY KIT (use a waterproof container):
•Animal first-aid kit
•A week’s worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure it’s still fresh)
•Disposable litter trays like aluminum roasting pans and litter or paper towels for cats
•Dishes for food and water
•Collar or harness and leash
•A week’s supply of any medicine your pet requires
•A week’s worth of bottled water
•A crate or carrier for each pet (large
enough for them to turn around in)
•Blanket
•Sturdy toys to help alleviate stress
Surge
Stormy
Some information on this page taken from: http://www.
aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES: PREPARE AT HOME
Did you know that flood insurance does not cover wind damage, and that wind and
hail insurance does not cover flood/storm surge damage? Be sure you have BOTH
flood and windstorm insurance coverage.
Review your plan. If changes to your insurance coverage are needed, plan ahead
and don’t wait until the last minute. Most insurance companies cannot offer a windstorm policy when a storm appears in the Gulf of Mexico. Flood coverage requires a
30-day waiting period before it becomes effective after you purchase it.
COASTAL BUILDING CODES
Homes, schools, and other structures built in coastal areas where hurricanes are likely to hit should be built
according to coastal building codes. These are rules enacted by state and local governments and are designed to
save lives and reduce property damage.
One example of how to build a structure according to these specialized codes is to use hurricane clips and anchor
bolts. Hurricane clips (also known as wind clips or hurricane ties) keep the top of a building attached to its base.
Anchor bolts are used to attach structures to concrete, like walls to their foundations.
Following coastal building codes can help keep people safe and reduce the damage caused by hurricanes and other
natural disasters. Contact your local city officials for more information regarding building code requirements in your
area.
Remember, before beginning any construction please talk to your insurance agent about Certificates of Compliance
(WPI-8’s and WPI-8-C’s), which certify that the structure meets windstorm building code requirements to be eligible
for windstorm and hail insurance through Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), Certificates of Compliance
can be required for buildings constructed, altered, remodeled, enlarged, repaired, or added to on or after January 1,
1988.
For more information about Certificates of Compliance visit TWIA’s website at twia.org/windstorm-certification-requirements. You may also call the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-248-6032 or visit tdi.texas.gov/wind for
more information about the Windstorm Inspections Program.
REDUCING PROPERTY DAMAGE BEFORE A STORM
A little preparation can go a long way in the event of a hurricane or other windstorm. You can take these steps now
to prevent damage to your home and even save lives.
• Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A
second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to
install. NOTE: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof
damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive
structural damage.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, and anything else that is not tied down.
Suggestions from http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
BUILD YOUR OWN EMERGENCY KIT
• 3-day supply of non-perishable food (dried fruit,
canned tuna fish, peanut butter, etc.)
• Can opener
• Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, paper towels
• Water – at least a gallon per person, per day
for drinking and hygiene
• First aid kit
• Prescription medication and glasses
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and other
personal items
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Fire extinguisher
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
and extra batteries
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Cell phone with charger, extra battery and
solar charger
• Local maps
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Pet supplies, pet food and extra water for
your pet
A full list can be found at: http://www.ready.gov/kit
PET SAFETY
Pets should never be left behind during a disaster evacuation. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, FEMA passed the
2006 PETS Act, which requires state and local emergency preparedness operational plans take into account the needs
of individuals with household pets and service animals before, during, and after a disaster.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends keeping an emergency kit and
supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. This kit should be clearly
labeled and easy to carry. Items to consider keeping in or near your kit include:
• Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to
include, or visit the ASPCA Store to buy one online)
• 3-7 days’ worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure
to rotate every two months)
• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are
perfect)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
• Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof
container with a two-week supply of any medicine your
pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to
be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they
may go bad or become useless.)
• Bottled water
• A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for
each pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
• Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and
need to make “Lost” posters)
• Especially for cats: pillowcase, toys, scoopable litter
• Especially for dogs: extra leash, toys and chew toys,
a week’s worth of cage liner
Information on this page taken from: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness
PREPARE AND SURVIVE
Here are some additional things you can do ahead of time to ensure you and your family will be okay, whether you
evacuate or shelter in place. Let your kids help and they’ll feel like part of the team!
• Fill your car with gas
• Fill plastic bags with water and place them in the freezer
• Get extra cash out of the bank
• Fill prescriptions
• Build a large emergency kit for home and a smaller,
portable one in case you must evacuate
• Check on your elderly or infirm neighbors