If safety is your goal this hurricane season, storm preparedness should be your number one priority!
The Anguilla Electricity Company Limited (ANGLEC) is committed to keeping the public safe and informed during this time of the year, which is why we have compiled the following storm preparedness timeline to help guide you in your preparations:
Hurricane / Storm Prep timeline
At Least 2 weeks before
- Reevaluate your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, wind and other potential risks.
- Trim trees and tall bushes with damaged, loose or overhanging limbs to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house during a storm.
- Designate a “safe room” away from windows and exposure during high-winds and flooding levels.
- Understand National Weather Service forecast products and the meaning of NWS advisories, watches and warnings.
- Secure loose rain gutters and downspouts and clear any clogged areas/debris to prevent water damage to your property.
- Create a list of emergency contacts for reference, such as: ANGLEC, Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, The Hospital, The Red Cross, Local Radio Stations, your Property Insurance Agent.
- Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages.
- Remember to keep generators and other alternate power/heat sources outside at least 20 feet away from windows and doors and protected from moisture. NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet.
- Retrofit and reinforce your roof, windows and doors, including the garage doors to help reduce property damage.
- Put together a disaster supplies kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information and a ‘C’ type fire extinguisher for your property in case of a fire. You should NEVER attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water because you could be electrocuted.
- Create a list of home essentials to secure in advance just in case you lose power and water for several days and are unable to leave home.
Days before
- Use the list you created to stock up on water, non-perishable foods and heating fuel, as well as battery-powered or wind-up flashlights, radios, fans and extra batteries.
- Photograph your property and valuables (including pets) prior to the storm order to keep track of anything that may be lost or damaged.
- Ensure that there is a full tank of gasoline in your vehicle.
- Know where to go if you live in an evacuation area. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay.
- Get cash! Banks and ATMs maybe be out of operation and few stores will be able to accept credit cards or checks following a storm.
- Secure everything around your property that might be blown around or torn loose. Flying objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture can injure people and cause serious property damage.
- Look out for Hurricane Watch announcements which indicate storm conditions are possible within the following 48 hours. Also, listen to local officials for updates.
- Under Hurricane Watch, review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.
- Check-in with family and friends, and make last minute preparations following any Hurricane Warning, conditions will likely worsen within next 36 hours.
The day of The Storm
- Close your windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
- Turn off propane tank.
- Customers should expect frequent power interruptions, and should turn off the main breaker and disconnect appliances that are vulnerable to intermittent power to prevent unnecessary electrical damage.
- Allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
- When a hurricane/storm is six hours from arriving:
- Turn on your battery powered radio to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- Close shutters and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you and your family.
- Plan to stay at home or where you are and let friends and family know where you are.
- Remember to follow the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) food and water safety guidelines during disasters.
- When waiting out a storm be careful for the danger may not be over yet. Be alert for the calm “eye” of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.
- Find a safe area in the home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level).
- If a home loses power, turn off major appliances such as the air conditioner and water heater to reduce damage.
- Do not use electrical appliances, including your computer.
- Beware of lightning. Stay away from electrical equipment. Don’t use the phone or take a bath/shower during the storm.
In addition to our storm preparedness tips, ANGLEC would like to extend special gratitude to our customers who are show their continuous patience and kindness throughout our storm preparation and recovery processes.
ANGLEC’s employees work around the clock to resort power after the storms and having your continued support makes the process much faster and less stressful for everyone involved. Thank you for your participation in keeping Anguilla safe this hurricane season!
ADDITIONAL HURRICANE RESOURCES:
- Planning to use a generator after the storm? Click here for information on generator safety!
- Want to ensure your property is connected quickly and safely after a storm? Click here to get all the information you need to be connected the first time around,
