Don’t Get Caught Without a Plan This Hurricane Season

 Hurricane season began on June 1, and if you have not yet pulled together your annual hurricane plan, you should stop everything and do it now. 

   According to an article published by weather.com, a total of 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, and three major hurricanes are expected this season. This is significantly above the normalized 30-year average of 13 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. You can read more of this article (https://bit.ly/2XsvDpV). 

   Regardless of the number of storms predicted, you don’t want to be caught unprepared, and thanks to Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and the Hurricane Guide in your 2020 Landings Residential Directory (pages 57-61) you don’t have to be. You also can find the Hurricane Guide information on The Landings Association’s website (www.landings.org/resources > Emergency Planning). 

   CEMA’s website offers tips related to specific areas of hurricane preparedness, including developing an evacuation plan, assembling a disaster kit, and reviewing the County’s evacuation zones. The Landings falls in Evacuation Zone A (areas east of Truman Parkway and the Vernon River). To learn tips from CEMA to improve your hurricane plan, visit www.chathamemergency.org/PrepareNow/HurricanePreparedness. 

   As you are finalizing your plans, don’t forget to attend The Landings Association’s Virtual Hurricane Town Hall Meeting on Monday, June 15. At this meeting, Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Community Outreach Specialist Chelsea Sawyer will discuss how best to prepare for a storm, and how evacuations are handled. She will be joined by Emergency Director Dennis Jones. A report from this meeting will be provided in Enews, and the video will be posted on our YouTube Channel (www.YouTube.com/landingsassociation) for those unable to attend. 

To join the virtual meeting, please visit the calendar section of the Association’s website (www.landings.org/caledar), locate the date of the meeting, and click the Microsoft Teams Meeting link provided, or click the link below. 

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

Learn more about Teams | Meeting options

 

Hurricane Kit Content Suggestions 

(Note: Contents will vary depending upon personal preference and should include items for sheltering-in-place as well as evacuating).  

• Georgia roadmap 

• Insurance information - Company, agent, phone numbers, and policy numbers for homeowner’s and flood insurance. 

• First-aid kit 

• Non-perishable food (for at least three-to-five days) 

• Pet supplies 

• Water (one gallon per person, per day) 

• Toilet paper, matches, can opener 

• Radio, flashlight, and batteries 

• Contact information for family and friends 

• Phone numbers of friends and relatives whom you may wish to contact once you’ve left 

• Camera or your smartphone to document the state of your home when you return. 

• A second hurricane kit if you have to evacuate in more than one car. 

When a Hurricane Watch is Declared 

• Top off fuel tanks. 

• Get cash, as credit cards may not be processed during a utility outage. 

• Medicines - Prepare a minimum two-week supply of medicines. Bring your prescriptions to obtain refills in the event there is an extended evacuation.  

• Personal papers - Pack any pertinent financial records for access if necessary. Be certain you have personal identification for you and your family.  

• Establish your destination - Communicate your travel intentions to friends and relatives and leave an itinerary in your vehicle, including a phone number for contact.  

• Special possessions - Pack any possessions of special sentiment or financial value that are small and easy to take. Remember, possessions are physical objects that are less important than health, safety, friends, and family.  

• Yard items - Move all loose yard items inside. Left outdoors, items may become projectiles.  

• Place your Hurricane Kit in your vehicle.  

• Deploy all but the final shutters or other house protection. If you intend to deploy hurricane shutters, plywood, or other protection for your house, consider installing now all but those you wish to leave for the last minute.  

• Pack for several days - It may be several weeks, but you can buy clothes elsewhere.  

• Back up your computer files - Back up any important files, and pack the external hard drives, DVDs, or CDs, to take with you.  

• Pets - Pack medical records and supplies of food and bowls, water, bedding, etc. for several days. 

Important Contacts 

Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) can be reached at 912-201-4500 and should be able to advise you on when you can return to the area if you have to evacuate. Don’t forget that for the latest hurricane information to regularly check CEMA’s website (chathamemergency.org).  

As soon as is practical, The Landings Association will post a message indicating the current state of The Landings’ access and services, and advise you appropriately when to return. (Be Advised: TLA personnel will have evacuated as well, with the exception of Critical Work Force employees, such as those in Security and Public Works.) 

Information will be posted as quickly as possible on our website (www.landings.org) and sent via Email Bulletins, and Swift911. If you are not signed up to receive Swift911 alerts from the Association, please refer to page 28 of this edition of The Landings Journal for information on how to register. 

2020 Hurricane Names 

Arthur 

Bertha 

Cristobal 

Dolly 

Edouard 

Fay 

Gonzalo 

Hanna 

Isaias 

Josephine 

Kyle 

Laura 

Marco 

Nana 

Omar 

Paulette 

Rene 

Sally 

Teddy 

Vicky 

Wilfred 

CEMA’s Hurricane Hotline 855-880-2362 or  912-644-8811 

The hotline will be activated in the event a hurricane or tropical storm is headed our way. The number will be updated to provide information on when it is safe to return, as well as storm  

and disaster information.