Delaware State Housing Authority Public & Section 8

DELAWARE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC & SECTION 8 HOUSING PROPERTIES AND RESIDENTS

HURRICANE/TROPICALHeading STORM PREPARATION PLAN

In the event that a hurricane or a tropical storm is predicted, forecasts should be monitored to determine if preparations are required. Listed below are sources of information for weather forecasts and emergency preparations: Radio Stations: Kent County: WDOV (AM-1410), WRDX (FM-92.9), WAFL (FM-97.7) Sussex County: WGMD (FM-92.7), WKIX (FM-106.0), WDEL (FM-105.9) Internet Access: National Hurricane Center: (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov) The Weather Channel: (http://www.weather.com)

Place you r m essag e h ere. Fo r m aximNational um i mpact , use two or t hre e se ntenc es. Weather Service: (http://www.nws.noaa.gov) Del. Emergency Mgmt: (http://www.dema.delaware.gov) Shelter Locations: (http://ow.ly/eNPUg)

NOAA Weather Radio Stations (Weather Radios) Lewes: 162.550 mhz Salisbury: 162.475 mhz

During the hurricane season, Delaware is vulnerable to Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. Listed below are some important definitions needed to monitor storm activity. Please read these definitions carefully to fully understand the differences between Watches and Warnings: 1) Gale Warning: A warning of sustained winds in the range of 39 to 54 mph not di- rectly associated with a tropical storm or hurricane. 2) Storm Warning: A warning of sustained surface winds of 55 mph or greater not di- rectly associated with a tropical storm or hurricane. 3) Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement for a specific coastal area that Tropical Storm conditions are possible within 36 hours. 4) Tropical Storm Warning: A warning that sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73 mph associated with a Tropical Cyclone are expected in a specific coastal area within 24 hours or less. 5) Hurricane Watch: A warning that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible within 36 hours. 6) Hurricane Warning: A warning that sustained winds of 74 mph or greater associated with a hurricane are expected in a specific coastal area in 24 hours or less.

Once the National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning, weather forecasts should be constantly monitored to determine the path of the storm and if it is upgraded to Hurri- cane status.

RESIDENT PREPARATIONS

TROPICAL STORM WARNING OR HURRICANE WATCH ISSUED

A tropical storm warning is: A warning that sustained winds within the range of 39 to 73 mph associated with a Tropical Storm are expected in a specific coastal area within 24 hours or less. A hurricane watch is: A warning that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible within 36 hours.

Upon issuance of a tropical storm warning or a hurricane watch, residents must prepare for potential severe weather including:

1) Bring patio furniture, hanging and potted plants, bicycles and other items inside. If these items are not secured or removed, the maintenance staff will place them in your units or general stor- age. 2) Residents should stay aware of weather conditions by monitoring local television and/or radio stations for storm updates. 3) Residents must plan for a possible evacuation, if ordered by local authorities. This includes, but is not limited to: a. Keeping their car/truck gas tank as full as possible. b. Prepare an “evacuation kit”- just in case an evacuation is ordered. Items should include medications, a change of clothes, blanket, portable radio, flashlight, a 3- day supply of non-perishable food and water. Residents should not pack any more than they can carry. c. Team up with another resident, friend or relative for sharing supplies and a ride. d. Make plans in advance to stay with friends or relatives living inland if you need to evacuate. e. Keep informed about the local evacuation routes by monitoring television and radio storm updates. f. Locate and gather any important documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, will, insurance policies) and place them in a waterproof container to take with you in case of evacuation. g. Residents with pets will need to make arrangements for the care and sheltering of the pet. Pets are not allowed in shelters - only service animals (i.e. seeing-eye or certified assistance dogs) are allowed in shelters.

Please remember, in preparing for any kind of unforeseen emergency, all residents are strongly urged to obtain Renter’s Insurance to cover their personal belongings. The Delaware State Housing Authority does not carry insurance on personal belongings or apartment contents.

RESIDENT PREPARATIONS

HURRICANE WARNING ISSUED

A hurricane warning is: A warning that sustained winds of 74 mph or greater associated with a hurricane are expected in a specific coastal area in 24 hours or less.

If a hurricane warning is issued for the area and an evacuation is ordered, local television and radio stations will announce information on where residents should go and the best evacuation routes to take. In addition to the preparations taken under the Tropical Storm & Hurricane Watch checklist: residents must take the following steps when an actual Hurricane Warning and evacuation order is issued:

1) Before leaving the apartment, lock all windows, lower any blinds and close curtains. This will help keep flying debris out of the unit. 2) Unplug appliances, radios and televisions. 3) Turn the refrigerator/freezer to the coldest settings. 4) Fill your bathtub and other clear containers with water for after the storm. This is in case water utilities become contaminated or unavailable after the storm. 5) Evacuate the area immediately. Leave early - do not wait. Roads can flood quickly. 6) Take your “evacuation kit” and important documents with you. 7) Follow the approved evacuation route inland. 8) Don’t panic if you cannot get an immediate ride. In a hurricane evacuation, local emergency services personnel or police usually go door-to-door to warn people who may not have a radio or television. You can stop one of these officers and they will provide assistance, or: 9) You can also contact the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center at (302) 855-7801 if you do not have transportation to evacuate the area.

POST HURRICANE PLANS

If the complex is in an evacuation zone, it may be some time before authorities allow residents to return to the area. This will depend on the severity of the hurricane and the extent of flood- ing and damage caused by the storm. DSHA personnel will inspect the site as soon as physi- cally possible, to assess potential damage to the grounds and structures.

Before returning to the apartment complex, residents must:

1) Monitor radio and/or local television stations to see if the evacuation area is open to the public. 2) If you are allowed to return to the area, be prepared to not have electricity and/or running water (depending on the severity of the storm). Take this into consideration when deciding when you want to return to your apartment, and the type of supplies you will need (canned goods, non-refrigerated foods). 3) If you have a car or truck, make sure to fill up with gas before returning home. If the power is out in the area, the gas stations will not be open. 4) Do not drink water from the faucet until officially notified that it is free from contamination. 5) If there was a loss of power during the storm, do not eat any food that was in your refrigerator or freezer. Since you may not know how long the power was out, and food may have spoiled before power was restored, it is safer to throw away all questionable refrigerated items. 6) Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company or police. 7) Take pictures of any damage to your personal belongings inside the apartment. This may help if you need to file a claim with your insurance company under your Renter’s Insur- ance policy.