Hurricane Sandy: Another Disaster Recovery at Starbucks?

____ Family Communications Plan – write down critical cell and landline numbers in case your phone dies; know where you will meet if cell towers and landline phones go out; designate an out-of-area relative everyone should contact if they can’t reach each other

____ Cell phones – text messages use less battery and get through when calls can’t; external batteries are available to keep your cell phone powered when the internal battery dies; pack your car charger and home charger if you evacuate; extend your battery by turning off wi-fi and other services you aren’t using

____ Computers—back up critical data onto external hard drives, thumb drives, or online services; if you have to evacuate take critical equipment with you or seal it in garbage bags to protect against water damage

____ Water – Buy water or fill pots and pitchers with drinking water – 1 gallon per day per person; water systems may be contaminated and unsafe for drinking

____ Food – non-perishable food you don’t have to cook

____ Cash—credit cards won’t work if power and communications go down. Withdraw $ 200 – $ 300 so you can make purchases

____ Automobile—fill your gas tank when you first hear a warning; gas pumps won’t work if power fails

____ Evacuation – have a backpack or overnight bag with clothes, medications, sweatshirt and sweatpants; extra glasses, personal hygiene supplies; energy bars; emergency blankets (look in the camping supply areas of sporting goods or department stores); follow instructions to shut off water, gas, and electricity before you leave

____ Hand-crank weather radio – these also charge cell phones through a USB cable. Purchase one at Lowes, Home Depot, Sam’s, Costco, or Wal-mart. Make sure the radio has SAME alerting so you will only receive alerts for your local area.

____ Batteries – enough for flashlights, lanterns, radios

____ LED lanterns—no need for fuel or mantles; safer than candles; some lanterns come with removable LED flashlights

____ Common Sense – evacuate if your local government issues an order; don’t drive through flooded streets; stay away from downed wires

____ Don’t panic — keep your cool for your own safety and your family’s