Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(13)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Double-check for last minute details. Make sure that everything is in order, to the best of your ability, before you leave.

o   Is the power, gas, and water turned off?

o   Do you have everything you need? Did you bring all your pets along?

o   Is the first driver well-rested or would another couple of hours of rest do him or her a world of good? Leaving at 4am instead of 2am if you need to will still keep you out of the main flow of traffic, so there's no need to rush since any driver needs to stay on top of things especially during an evacuation.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(12)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Stay calm and collected, especially when you are around little kids who might easily get scared when their parents are stressed out. Around small children, make the hurricane preparation/evacuation into an unexpected vacation or adventure.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(11)

Solar Cell Phone Charger

Michael Petruccelli says: Make sure your cell phone and extra cell phone batteries (get them if you do not already have some) are charged before leaving or before the power can go out. You can charge them up with the power from your car if you have a DC to AC converter.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(10)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Have cash on hand. If you will be staying with friends, family, or in a hotel (don't count on it, have a backup plan even if you've made reservations ahead of time) withdraw sufficient cash for two weeks.

o   ATMs and banks may not be operating in the aftermath of a major hurricane and some credit card machines will be down.

o   If you expect to be displaced, a family of four needs approximately $500 to last a week if you'll be staying in hotels. You'll need less than that if you will be staying with friends, relatives or in a shelter.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(9)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Protect your valuables.

Move objects that may get damaged by wind or water to safer areas of your home. Move television sets, computers, stereo and electronic equipment, and easily moveable appliances like a microwave oven to higher levels of your home and away from windows. Wrap them in sheets, blankets, or burlap.

Make a visual or written record of all of your household possessions. Record model and serial numbers. This list could help you prove the value of what you owned if those possessions are damaged or destroyed, and can assist you to claim deductions on taxes.

A cell phone camera is great for that and then email the photos to your self for safe keeping, transfer to disk or to print them out.

Do this for all items in your home, including expensive items such as sofas, chairs, tables, beds, chests, wall units, and any other furniture too heavy to move. Store a copy of the record somewhere away from home, such as in a safe deposit box.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What should you do - Once You Decide to Evacuate(8)

Michael Petruccelli says: Cover the outside of windows with shutters or plywood. Use shutters that are rated to provide significant protection from windblown debris, or fit plywood coverings over all windows. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. All tape does is prevent windows from shattering. Using tape on windows is not recommended.