Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare for Hurricane Irene

With the threat of Hurricane Irene impacting Philadelphia, the following are a few measures you should take to prepare for a hurricane.

Prepare for High Winds:

• Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.


• Bring outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other loose items, inside the house or tie them down securely.


• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.

Prepare for Flooding:

• Know your area's flood risk and consider flood insurance. To estimate your flood risk,  flood insurance premium and for information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.


• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan containing important contacts for you and your family in the event of any emergency.


• Plan now to stay with friends or relatives if you live in a flood prone area, like Manayunk or Eastwick, and need to evacuate. This should be a part of your Household Emergency Plan.


• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.) 

• Have emergency supplies, such as a Shelter-in-Place Kit, and be sure to include a portable radio with extra batteries to stay tuned to local news for emergency alerts.


• Prepare a Go Bag of emergency supplies that you can grab in case you need to evacuate your home in a hurry. 


• Learn the safest route to higher ground from your home or place of business in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your Household Emergency Plan.  


• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.


• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

Prepare for Disruptions in Utility Service:

• Know the phone numbers of your service providers.


• PECO Energy Customer Service: 1-800-494-400


• PECO Energy Emergency Hotline: 1-800-841-4141


• Philadelphia Water Department (PWD): 215-685-6300


• Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW): 215-235-1212


• If you lose phone service, use a cell phone to report the outage to your service provider.


• You could also lose phone service during a power outage if your phone requires an electrical outlet to work. It is a good idea to have a phone that does not rely on electricity, and just plugs into a phone jack.


• Have a supply of bottled water for everyone in your household, in the event that you lose water service.


• Make sure you have working flashlights with extra batteries in your Go Bag and Shelter-in-Place Kit.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has additional tips for Protecting Your Property or Business from Disaster. For more information on how to prepare for severe weather, visit the Severe Weather page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website. Click on the following links for information on Sheltering-in-Place or Evacuating with a Go Bag.