Hurricane Dorian: Preparing Your Home, Pets, Travel Plan For GA

GEORGIA — As Hurricane Dorian made landfall Sunday morning in the Bahamas as a devastating category 5 storm packing 185 mph winds, forecasters said it threatens to cause major damage to several coastal Georgia counties. Officials are urging residents in the eastern part of the state to prepare their property for hurricane winds, and get their families ready if evacuations are ordered.

Dorian's current path shows that it could reach Georgia's coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. Georgia became more of a focus for officials as Dorian appeared to shift its course northward, away from Florida, and now threatens the Carolinas and Georgia with heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash flooding starting on Labor Day.

The National Weather Service says strong winds and dangerous storm surge are possible along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina from Monday through Thursday.

Dorian will remain a very powerful storm over the next few days, the NWS warned. The coastal Carolinas and Georgia, specifically, should prepare for 5 to 10 inches of storm surge flooding, and up to 15 inches in spots.

In order to prepare, State Farm Insurance said it's a good time for homeowners to check in with their insurance agents to review their insurance policies for adequate coverage for their home and property.

Homeowners can protect themselves and their property with a few easy steps:

• Review insurance coverage. Make sure you have the right amount and type of insurance. Remember, renters need to have their own insurance to cover their personal belongings.
• Create a home inventory. Make a list and or take photos and videos of your possessions and their estimated value.
• Protect your property. Stock plywood and materials you may need to board up windows. Move garbage cans and other large objects inside the house or garage. Secure boats and cars.
• Have an evacuation plan. Before the hurricane, decide what you will do. Find out the location of evacuation shelters. If you have a pet, check if the center accepts pets. Determine if you will ride out the storm in your home (if local authorities permit you to stay), or establish a safe place inland. Plan an escape route. Tell relatives where you will be.
• Put together an emergency kit. The kit should include basics such as water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, blankets, and important documents. Store your kit in airtight plastic bags or a plastic storage container with a lid.
• Don't forget to prepare your furry friends: Evacuation Planning for Pet Owners

Here are three top things for homeowners to talk to their insurance agent about before a hurricane hits:

• Appropriate replacement cost coverage
• Deductibles (including hurricane deductibles)
• Flood Insurance

Visit the Landfall Probability website for information on all coastal states as well as 11 regions and 205 individual counties along the U.S. coastline from Brownsville, Texas, to Eastport, Maine. Landfall probabilities for regions and counties are adjusted based on the current climate and its projected effects on the upcoming hurricane season.

On Aug. 29, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for several coastal counties. The state of emergency is in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce and Wayne Counties to assist with preparation, response and recovery, Kemp said on Thursday afternoon.

Portions of eastern Georgia are under a Coastal Flood Advisory including Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Liberty and Coastal McIntosh on Sunday until early Monday. The impacts include up to one foot of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Saltwater inundation will impact some roads, including Highway 80 to Tybee Island.

Steps that should be taken ahead of time include:

• Build an emergency kit to include at least two weeks' worth of supplies, including stocking up on necessary medications for family members and any pets.
• Create a family communications plan; make sure you know where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters the garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to local news and utilize a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio; ensure you have the warning alarm tone enabled to receive alerts.
• Identify community primary and alternate evacuation routes as well as any nearby shelters.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep the doors closed.
• Know how and where to shut off any outdoor propane supply tanks.
• Never connect a portable generator to the house wiring and never use a generator indoors.
• Bring pets inside with you.
• Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies; ensure you have emergency contacts preprogrammed.
• Have an adequate supply of water for cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after an emergency by visiting the United States Department of Agriculture's website.
• Charge your electronic devices ahead of the storm.
• Keep your gas tank full.
• Put paper maps in the car.

Get Tech Ready

Technology has made it easier to prepare for emergencies, but it can be unreliable during big storms if you haven't planned to keep your gadgets protected and powered up. Here are some tips to make sure you are tech ready:

• Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and ###strong to 43362 (4FEMA)

Make A Social Media Plan

• Use text messages, social media and email to connect with friends and family during emergencies.
  • Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it difficult to place and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they are able to be transmitted more reliably.
  • Social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter can also be an effective way to update family and friends during emergencies. Facebook's Safety Check feature allows users to easily post a status update indicating that they are safe during a time of disaster.
• Register with American Red Cross's Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.
• Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. Smartphones have become a vital tool to receive emergency alerts and warnings, so it's important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an emergency.
• At home: Before severe weather, charge all of your electronic devices. If the power goes out, preserve battery power by minimizing device use. Keep a back-up power source on hand to recharge your phone so that you can stay connected even during an extended power outage.
• In your car: Keep a portable phone charger in your vehicle at all times, and consider purchasing a back-up power supply to keep in your vehicle as well.
• Change the settings on your phone to low power mode or place it on airplane mode to conserve energy.
• Store important documents in a secure, password-protected jump drive or in the cloud.
  • Capture electronic versions of important documents such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records. Don't forget to include your pet's information.
  • Back-up your computer to protect photos and other personally important electronic documents.
  • Scan old photos to protect them from loss.
  • Keep your contacts updated and synced across all of your channels, including phone, email and social media. This will make it easy to reach out to the right people quickly to get information and supply updates. Consider creating a group listserv of your top contacts.
  • Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate quickly during a disaster.
• Sign up for Direct Deposit and electronic banking through your financial institution so you can access your payroll funds and make electronic payments wherever you are. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795 or at GoDirect.org.

How to protect pets

Here are some tips from The Humane Society to keep your pets during a hurricane or other natural disaster.

ID Your Pet

Make sure that cats and dogs are wearing collars and identification tags that are up to date. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them microchipped; make sure the microchip registration is in your name. But remember, the average citizen who finds your pet won't be able to scan for a chip, but they will probably be able to read a basic tag.

Put your cell phone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area—in case you have had to evacuate.

Assemble Pet Emergency Kits

When you assemble your own emergency kit, make sure to assemble one for each pet. Kits should include food and water for five days; bowls; a manual can opener if you use canned pet food; medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container; cat litter box, litter, scoop and garbage bags; sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can't escape; blankets or towels for bedding; current photos of your pets; list of medical conditions and the contact information for the veterinarian.

If You Evacuate, Take Your Pet

Rule No 1: If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back for your pets. Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed. Remember to make plans for ALL your pets during natural disasters.
See disaster plans for feral or outdoor cats, horses and animals on farms.

Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited to be evacuated by emergency officials have been told to leave their pets behind. The smell of smoke or the sound of high winds or thunder may make your pet more fearful and difficult to load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process less stressful.

Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Inquire if a "no pet" policy would be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home. For help identifying pet-friendly lodgings, check out these websites:

• Bringfido.com
• Dogfriendly.com
• Doginmysuitcase.com
• Pet-friendly-hotels.net
• Pets-allowed-hotels.com
• Petswelcome.com
• Tripswithpets.com

If You Do Stay Home, Do It Safely

If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together.

• Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide.
• Move dangerous items such as tools or toxic products that have been stored in the area.
• Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification.
• If you have a room you can designate as a "safe room," put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet's crate and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape.
• Listen to the radio periodically, and don't come out until you know it's safe.

After the disaster

Your home may be a very different place after the emergency is over, and it may be hard for your pets to adjust.

• Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet will probably be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations.
• While you assess the damage, keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, your pets could escape.
• Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible. Be ready for behavioral problems caused by the stress of the situation. If these problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.
• If your community has been flooded, check your home and yard for wild animals who may have sought refuge there. Wildlife can pose a threat to you and your pet. Check out our tips for humanely evicting wildlife.

Travel

Georgia Department of Transportation has 860 employees and 1,033 pieces of equipment ready to deploy as needed. Crews are bracing for possible tropical storm or hurricane conditions including torrential rainfall, strong winds with potential for downed trees and power lines and possible tornadoes in the south and coastal regions of the state.

Maintaining roads and bridges is essential before, during and after the storm. GDOT has Special Response Teams ready to deploy, and each region of the state has employees ready to deploy for hurricane preparation and cleanup. In addition, bridge inspection teams are at the ready to monitor the potential need for bridge closures in coastal Georgia.

Statewide, Georgia DOT crews are prepared to deploy as needed.

• GDOT's Transportation Management Center is monitoring traffic conditions statewide. GDOT will stage more heavily concentrated CHAMP patrols on I-75 near the Georgia/Florida border as needed.
• Drivers traveling on interstates and state routes should be wary of the possibility of falling trees due to high winds. GDOT is actively engaged in the removal of trees and overgrown brush along state rights-of-way to mitigate the possibility of falling trees across roadways, a particular danger during hurricanes and tropical storms.
• Drivers should strongly consider using alternate routes besides interstate highways. Often during evacuations, interstates are heavily congested while state routes go largely unused. State routes are a viable alternative to interstates. Consult 511, state maps and way finding apps to determine the best, the least congested route to ensure your safe evacuation.
• Due to Labor Day weekend, GDOT previously suspended construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes across Georgia from noon Friday, Aug. 30 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. These suspensions will be adjusted as needed in the coming days.

Sheltering

• Ahead of the storm's arrival, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening its camping facilities to evacuees seeking refuge from Hurricane Dorian. The Speedway, which is equipped to handle thousands of campers during its annual NASCAR weekend, will provide camping space free of charge for dry RV and tent campers in its Legends Campground. A limited number of camping spaces with water, power and sewer are also available for a nominal fee of $20 per night in the Premier Campground. Located adjacent to the campgrounds, AMS will also open The Rinnai Shower Station camper bath house, allowing evacuees free access to hot showers and restroom facilities during their stay.
• For accommodations in Georgia, visit the Official Georgia Tourism and Travel website.
• Evacuees and their pets are welcome in Georgia's State Parks, including horses at parks with equestrian facilities. Check GaStateParks.org for hurricane policies and status updates.
• Airbnb is offering open homes for evacuees with free housing across the southeast. Hosts in those regions are opening their homes for free until Sept. 15 for displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help.

The public should monitor local radio and TV stations for the latest details on the path of the storm, weather conditions and possible evacuations. The public may also monitor GDOT's news service, The Network, at http://www.dot.ga.gov/AboutGDOT/TheNetwork for up-to-date information.

For real-time road conditions, call 511 or visit Georgia511. For weather information, visit the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida, or the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia. Visit www.dot.ga.gov/DS/Emergency/Hurricane for more information including an Evacuation Route Map.