Hurricanes: Storm Safety Checklist

Stay Ahead of the Storm

As Hurricane Irene grinds its way up the Eastern Seaboard this weekend, it’s expected to cause historic damage. Authorities in North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York have all declared states of emergency, and more are expected to follow suit with forecasters saying that Hurricane Irene poses an extraordinary threat to the states in her path. Most of those areas, from North Carolina all the way to the Northeast, lie well outside of traditional hurricane country, where residents are more accustomed to—and better prepared for—storms of this magnitude. 



Forecasts are never written in stone, of course, but it’s good to get prepared. Here are a few important pointers from The American Red Cross and The Weather Channel that could minimize property damage and keep you safe if a hurricane watch (conditions are a threat within 48 hours) or warning (conditions are a threat within 36 hours) is issued in your county.

Gallery: 6 Surprise Disaster-Kit Essentials

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