PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT - HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA - RUSKIN FL
1236 AM EDT THU AUG 12 2004

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND SECURE YOUR PROPERTY.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING FOR THE STORM.

GROCERY STORE MAY SELL OUT OF ITEMS SOON. STOCK UP ON...
BATTERIES FOR RADIOS AND FLASHLIGHTS.
CANNED OR DRIED FOOD AND DRINKING WATER.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE.
CASH...CREDIT CARDS AND ATM'S MAY NOT WORK WITHOUT POWER.
FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES...GENERATORS AND CHAIN SAWS.

AROUND THE HOUSE...
STORE LOOSE ITEMS SUCH AS TRASH CANS OR YARD FURNITURE.
SECURE WINDOWS WITH SHUTTERS... BOARDS ETC.
BATTERY OPERATED RADIOS ARE WORKING.
MOVE BOAT TO A SAFE LOCATION.
TRIM LARGE TREES THAT COULD FALL ON HOUSE.
MAKE SURE VALUABLE PAPERS ARE SECURE.

MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW. PLAN TO EVACUATE IF YOU LIVE...
IN A MOBILE HOME.
ON THE COAST.
IN A LOW LYING FLOOD PRONE AREA.
IN A HIGH RISE.

IF YOU MUST EVACUATE TO A PUBLIC SHELTER REMEMBER TO BRING...
FIRST AID KIT.
MEDICINE.
BABY FOOD AND DIAPERS.
TOILETRIES.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES.
BATTERY POWERED RADIO AND EXTRA BATTERIES.
FLASHLIGHT.
SLEEPING BAGS OR BLANKETS.
IDENTIFICATION.
VALUABLE PAPERS.
CASH.
GAMES.

REMEMBER...PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN PUBLIC SHELTERS.

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT HOME...
TURN REFRIGERATOR TO MAXIMUM COLD.
TURN OFF PROPANE TANKS.
UNPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES.
FILL STERILIZED JUGS AND BOTTLES WITH WATER FOR DRINKING.
FILL BATH TUB AND CONTAINERS WITH WATER FOR SANITARY.
PURPOSES.

IF YOU PLAN ON USING A PORTABLE GENERATOR...CHECK IT NOW FOR
PROPER VENTILATION. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DEATHS CAN OCCUR
DUE TO IMPROPERLY VENTILATED PORTABLE GENERATORS!

WHEN WINDS BECOME STRONG...
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
REMAIN IN A SMALL INTERIOR ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
CLOSE ALL INTERIOR DOORS.
SECURE AND BRACE EXTERIOR DOORS.

PRECAUTIONS OUTSIDE YOUR HOME SHOULD BE STARTED NOW WHILE THE
WEATHER IS STILL GOOD. IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK OUTSIDE SOON.