| For people living along the coastlines in the United | | | | supplies. |
| States frequent summer and winter storms are a | | | | Even if your house manages to avoid damage |
| seasonal reality. The Southern and Gulf state | | | | you are still almost certain to lose electricity for |
| coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to | | | | anywhere from a day to a month. A portable |
| hurricanes from June through November of every | | | | electric generator is the only practical way to |
| year. People along the New England Coast get a | | | | keep at least the essential electrical appliances in |
| double dose from the infrequent hurricanes that | | | | your house running during a power outage. |
| race up the coast and winter storms called | | | | Refrigerators, freezers and any medical |
| Nor'easters that can be as furious and damaging | | | | equipment in the house can be run from a |
| as any summer storm. | | | | relatively inexpensive portable generator for as |
| There is nothing you can do to stop or change | | | | long as you can get the fuel. |
| the weather so if you are going to live in a storm | | | | Unless you were able to stock up on food prior |
| prone area you have to take the proper steps to | | | | to the storm, the food in your refrigerator and |
| prepare your property and yourself to | | | | freezer may be all the fresh food you are going |
| successfully withstand the storm. There is one | | | | to get to eat for the next several days. Fill every |
| inviolable rule however, if you live along the coast | | | | container you have for drinking water and your |
| and a category 4 or category 5 hurricane is | | | | bathtub for washing and toilet flushing. Municipal |
| bearing down on you - get out. Unless you live in | | | | water is often not affected by storms but you |
| a reinforced bunker there is nothing you can do | | | | never know what will happen the next time. |
| to stay safe in this fury. | | | | Assemble an emergency medical kit or check the |
| Storm forecasting is generally very accurate and | | | | one you have to be sure that everything is usable |
| will provide you with at least two days of | | | | and not out of date. Cuts, bruises and burns are |
| advance warning of the probability of a strike. Use | | | | common minor injuries received from flying debris |
| that time wisely to either plan your evacuation, | | | | during the storm and from cleaning up after the |
| the earlier the better, or complete the household | | | | storm. |
| protection you need and lay in emergency | | | | |