Bryan County
Home Home MenuAtlantic Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
Hurricanes pose serious threats to life, property, and daily operations. At BEMA, we help residents prepare before the storm, respond during emergencies, and recover after impact. Preparation is key — from evacuation plans to securing documents and protecting your home. This guide provides critical steps and tools to help you take action before, during, and after a storm. Because when you're ready, you're safer.
Before Hurricane Season
- Take the time to walk through your emergency plan with everyone in your household before hurricane season starts.
- A strong plan helps reduce panic and confusion in the moment. Ensure all household members know what to do — including when to shelter in place and when to evacuate.
- Include alternate meeting locations and emergency contacts in case you are separated or communications fail.
- Think ahead: What would you do if your primary route is blocked? Who will check on elderly relatives or neighbors? A good plan covers multiple scenarios.
- Restock your Ready Kit and portable evacuation kit
- A well-stocked kit is more than just a checklist — it’s peace of mind in a bag. Keep essentials packed and ready to go.
- Include food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, and hygiene products.
- Have a smaller, portable version in case you must leave quickly or travel by foot or public transportation.
- Identify flood-prone areas and evacuation zones
- Know your flood zone status and whether you’ll be under evacuation orders.
- Understanding your zone in advance allows you to act quickly and confidently when an evacuation is issued — minimizing confusion, traffic delays, and last-minute decisions during a critical time.
- Check your emergency contact list
- Ensure numbers are up to date and shared with all family members.
Plan Your Evacuation
- Know multiple evacuation routes
- Identify more than one way out of Bryan County to ensure you’re not dependent on a single route that may become impassable or congested during an emergency.
- Consider how weather, flooding, and traffic may affect primary and secondary routes.
- Familiarize yourself before hurricane season — GPS may fail
- Take time to drive potential routes in advance. This will help reduce stress and eliminate guesswork during an evacuation.
- Don’t rely on GPS or smartphone maps during a storm — signal loss or battery issues can render them unusable.
- Keep a printed Georgia state map in your vehicle
- A physical map ensures you can still navigate safely even if technology fails.
- Mark your planned routes, alternative paths, and key landmarks in advance.
- Designate an out-of-town contact
- Choose someone outside the local area who won’t be affected by the same storm. Let them know your plans in advance.
- This person can serve as both your emergency host and a communication point for friends and family trying to reach you.
- Share your evacuation plan with family and friends
- Make sure every household member understands the plan — where to go, who to contact, and what to bring.
- Keep a copy of the plan with your emergency documents and discuss it during hurricane season each year.
Insurance: Know Your Coverage
- Review your homeowners or renters policy
- Understand your coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
- Know that flood insurance is NOT included in standard policies
- Visit floodsmart.gov for information on the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Photograph or record a video inventory of belongings
- Store digital copies in a cloud or secure online account.
- Be aware: New policies and changes are locked once a storm is named
- Make adjustments early in the season.
Organize Important Documents
- Gather and safeguard important documents
- Include IDs, insurance policies, medical records, bank information, and legal documents.
- Store originals in waterproof containers and keep digital backups in secure, password-protected accounts.
- Having everything ready means one less thing to worry about if you need to evacuate quickly.
- Plan multiple evacuation routes and destinations
- Know more than one way out of your neighborhood and community.
- Practice your routes before hurricane season so that driving them under pressure feels familiar.
- Choose primary and alternate destinations, including out-of-town family, friends, or pet-friendly hotels.
- Designate an out-of-town emergency contact
- Phone lines may be down or overwhelmed locally, but you may still be able to reach someone outside the affected area.
- This contact can act as a communication relay between you and loved ones.
- Plan for your pets' safety and care
- Not all shelters or hotels accept animals, so plan ahead for pet-friendly options.
- Pack vaccination records, food, leashes, carriers, and any needed medications.
- Remember, pets depend on us—never leave them behind in a disaster.
Protecting Your Home
- Secure your home before the storm
- Buy and cut plywood for your windows before a storm is even named — supplies disappear quickly during an active threat.
- Label each piece clearly to make installation quicker when time is short.
- Fasteners, tools, and protective coverings should be stored together in a known location.
- Remove outdoor items that can become debris
- Secure or store grills, patio furniture, decorations, and garbage bins.
- Even small items can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
- Reinforce entry points and safeguard belongings
- Move valuables to interior rooms, elevate them above flood-prone areas, and cover with plastic or thick bags.
- Group furniture toward the center of the room and cover with tarps to minimize water damage.
- Insulate cold storage and prepare for power outages
- Fill refrigerator and freezer voids with water bottles to maintain temperature longer.
- Wrap appliances in blankets and keep doors closed to preserve cold air.
Pets are Family Too
- Keep veterinary records up to date
- Ensure your pet’s vaccinations and ID tags are current in case you need to board them or show proof of health in an emergency shelter.
- Store hard copies and digital versions of medical records in your emergency kit.
- Plan what your pet will need during evacuation
- Include food, water, a leash, collar, waste bags, medication, and comfort items like toys or blankets.
- If your pet requires a carrier, make sure it’s labeled and large enough for your pet to move around comfortably.
- Research pet-friendly shelters and lodging
- Not all shelters or hotels accept pets. Know where your pet will be welcome before a storm hits.
- Contact local animal shelters or your veterinarian for a list of facilities and options in advance.
- Never leave your pet behind
- Abandoning pets during a disaster puts them in extreme danger. They depend on you to keep them safe.
- Make a written plan that includes your pets, and keep it with the rest of your evacuation materials.
Preparing to Evacuate
- Stock up on essential evacuation supplies
- Pack enough clothing, hygiene items, and medications for at least a week.
- Include flashlights, batteries, bug spray, trash bags, and basic first aid items.
- Snacks, water, and games or comfort items for children can reduce stress during evacuation.
- Keep your vehicle ready to go
- Maintain at least half a tank of gas during hurricane season—stations may close before a storm.
- Check tire pressure, fluid levels, and battery condition.
- Unplug and prepare indoor spaces
- Disconnect electronics to prevent damage from power surges or lightning.
- Place rolled towels at door and window bases to block water intrusion.
If You Choose Not to Evacuate
If you choose not to evacuate, be prepared to be completely self-reliant
- Expect power outages
- High winds and falling trees can cause extensive damage to power lines. Be ready to live without electricity for 7–10 days or longer.
- Stock up on batteries, flashlights, and a battery-operated radio to stay informed.
- Prepare for no access to water
- Water systems, whether municipal or well-based, require electricity to operate.
- Store an emergency supply of drinking water and water for sanitation before the storm arrives.
- Anticipate closed stores and gas stations
- Businesses will likely be shut down and owners evacuated. Don’t expect access to food, fuel, or medicine.
- Have all essentials — including fuel, medication, and non-perishable food — ready in advance.
- Know that emergency services may be unavailable
- Once winds reach 35 mph, emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks can no longer operate safely.
- Be prepared to handle injuries and emergencies on your own until crews can return.
- Stock 7 to 10 days of essential supplies
- You may be isolated due to downed trees and blocked roads. Prepare with food, water, medical supplies, hygiene products, and tools to make repairs or signal for help.
- Think beyond survival — include comfort items, entertainment, and ways to stay warm or cool as needed.