BSO Hurricane Guide

After the storm has safely passed:

Stay tuned to local media and/or NOAA radio.
Return to your home or venture outdoors only after local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
Inspect your home for damage. If your home is unsafe or badly damaged, locate other accommodations. To assist BSO with emergency response priorities, participate in the Snapshot Damage Assessment Program.
Beware of fallen power lines. While electricity may be out, service can be restored at any time and lines may become “hot.”
If you have no power, use flashlights for illumination. Never use candles or lanterns because of the risk of fire. Cook outdoors using charcoal or propane grills/stoves. Never use these indoors. Do not cook over open fires, as they can spread, especially if debris is in the area.
Avoid driving as much as possible. If you must be on the roads, remember that many traffic signals may be inoperative. Treat all intersections as though they are a 4-way stop.

If your water source becomes contaminated follow these tips to insure safe water usage.

Begin by filtering water with a coffee filter to remove any solid materials that may be floating in the water.
Bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute, then allow the water to cool for 30 minutes.
Add 16 drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle. The only active ingredient in the bleach should be hypochlorite of a concentration of 5.25% to 6%. Make sure the bleach does not contain any perfumes or soaps. Some bleach manufacturers have added sodium hydroxide, which does not pose a health risk for the water treatment process.
Let water remain standing for thirty minutes.
Use the water only if it smells of chlorine. If it doesn't, add another round of drops (16 per gallon and 8 per 2-liter bottle). If you still don't smell chlorine, discard the water and find another source.