Community Corner

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

There are six hurricanes in an average season.

This year, the National Weather Service predicted a near-normal hurricane season for Washington, D.C. region.

The season runs until Nov. 20. There were an average season of 12 named storms with six hurricanes, including three major hurricanes from 1981 to 2010, according to the National Weather Service.

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season produced a total of 19 tropical storms, of which seven became hurricanes, including four major hurricanes. Irene was the lone hurricane to hit the United States in 2011. Irene left 220,000 Pepco customers without power.

At its peak, the storm left 220,000 customers without power — 63,000
in Montgomery County, Md., 126,000 in Prince George’s County, Md., and
31,000 in the District of Columbia.

Here are some tips from Pepco to get through the hurricane season:

Assemble an emergency storm kit, including:

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  • Battery-powered radio or television
  • Flashlight
  • First-aid kit
  • Battery-powered or windup clock
  • Extra batteries
  • Special needs items, such as an insulated cooler
  • List of important and emergency phone numbers

If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there.

Keep at least a three-day supply per person of non-perishable foods and bottled water, as well as a hand-operated can opener.

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Have a telephone with a cord or a cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate and won't work if there is an outage.

Protect your electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors and consider an uninterruptible power supply for temporary battery backup power.

Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances if it is safe to do so. However, if you have an electrically operated sump pump, you should not turn off your power.

Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.


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