How to prepare for Isaias: What to do before the storm arrives

From taking pictures of your home to emergency kits, there are several steps you can take before Isaias arrives, even if you live far from the coast.

With Isaias expected to make landfall in the United States as a hurricane, the window to prepare is shrinking.

People near the Gulf Coast will face the greatest urgency to get ready, but hurricane preparation is not limited to communities near the water. Heavy rain, flooding, damaging winds and power outages can spread hundreds of miles inland, including across parts of the Southeast, Appalachians and Tennessee and Ohio valleys.

Here are steps people can take to prepare their families, homes and vehicles before conditions deteriorate.

Prepare before Isaias impacts arrive

Waiting until the final hours before a storm arrives can make preparations more difficult as stores become crowded and supplies run low.

Start by charging phones and portable battery packs, filling vehicles with gas and gathering important documents, including identification and insurance information. Taking photos of your home, vehicles and other property before the storm can also provide a record of their condition if damage occurs.

Families should also discuss where they will go if they need to leave home with their pets if evacuation orders are issued.

What should be in a hurricane emergency kit?

An emergency kit should contain enough essentials to get through a prolonged power outage or to take along if an evacuation becomes necessary.

Some of the most important items include:

• Bottled water
• Nonperishable food
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries
• First-aid supplies and necessary medications
• Blankets and extra clothing
• Phone chargers and portable battery packs
• Copies of identification, insurance information and other important documents
• Food, water and supplies for pets

Store the supplies together in an easy-to-carry container, suitcase or plastic tub so they can be grabbed quickly if plans change. People who rely on electronic documents should also back up important files before the storm.

Protect your home from wind and flooding

A few simple projects around the house can reduce the risk of damage before strong winds and heavy rain arrive.

• Bring patio furniture, decorations, trash cans and other loose outdoor objects inside.
• Clear gutters and drains so heavy rain can flow away from the home more easily.
• Move vehicles away from trees or other objects that could fall during strong winds.

Power outages can also lead people to use portable generators. Generators should always be operated outdoors and away from doors, windows and other openings because carbon monoxide can build to deadly levels inside homes and enclosed spaces.

Why inland residents should also prepare

Living far from the coast does not eliminate the risk of a hurricane.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can produce torrential rain long after moving inland, causing streams, creeks and rivers to rise rapidly. Flooding can develop well away from areas affected by storm surge while strong wind gusts can topple trees and knock out power, especially in early autumn when leaves are still on trees.

People across the Southeast and Appalachians, as well as parts of the Tennessee and Ohio valleys, should pay attention to the AccuWeather forecast for their specific location as Isaias moves inland.

Preparation does not need to be complicated, but completing the basic steps before the weather deteriorates can make a major difference once the storm arrives.

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