Ask-A-Librarian |
View Your Account | Search This Site
The University of Alabama Libraries offer this list of web sites to help Alabamians and others prepare for, survive, and recover from hurricanes. The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30. Meteorologists at Colorado State University have forecast an active season (full report).
(Please note: the University of Alabama Libraries does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of the information on any of the web sites).
A state-sponsored resource for hurricane information and planning. Includes links to preparing a supply kit, safety procedures during hurricanes, satellite imagery, road closures, I-65 reverse laning, traffic webcams, public advisories, tracking maps, hurricane facts, emergency communication systems, people finders, and the Saffir-Simpson scale. Features links for citizens seeking help for themselves or others.
General Planning for Hurricanes
Red Cross English and Spanish guides to preparing for hurricanes and related emergencies. Includes evacuation planning, disaster kits, and what to do when watches or warnings are issued.
Key Facts about Hurricane Readiness
Center for Disease Control’s tips on emergency supplies. Discusses how to evacuate or shelter in place.
National Hurricane Center Forecast Office in Mobile
Offers a link to the downloadable "Hurricane Preparedness Pamphlet" for Alabama. Also includes weather news and information for decision makers.
Preparing for Hurricane Season
Gulf Coast Information Center’s step-by-step guide to readying your family for a hurricane.
Hurricane Preparedness for People with Disabilities
FEMA English and Spanish guides for people with disabilities.
Planning to Survive Specific Hurricane and Post-Hurricane Hazards
Animal and Insect HazardsCDC’s guides to avoiding stings, bites, and animal-borne illnesses after a storm.
The Red Cross suggests ways to stock up for power failures. Includes energy conservation guidelines and information for citizens with disabilities.
CDC’s tips on avoiding lacerations during debris and tree removal.
CDC's guide to dealing with electrical hazards, mold, smoke, reentry to a flooded home, HVAC problems, and other clean-up issues.
FDA explains how to take medications safely after a storm.
United States Fire Administration’s tips on preventing hurricane or tornado-related fires in damaged buildings.
CDC’s guidelines for handling food and water after a hurricane.
Red Cross shows how to avoid heat exhaustion. Useful to read before working outside after a summer hurricane.
NOAA offers information on the Inland High Wind Model, wind decay, and safety actions. Wind speeds may remain at hurricane strength far from coastal areas.
EPA’s booklet on avoiding post-hurricane air problems related to mold and other contaminants. These issues can pose long-term health hazards such as disease and allergic reaction.
NOAA explains inland flooding risks and lists safety actions. Inland flooding caused over half of hurricane deaths from 1970-2000.
NOAA supplies information for mariners about avoiding hurricane disasters.
NOAA explains the SLOSH model and provides safety actions for coastal storm surges. Storm surge poses the greatest threat to life in coastal areas during a hurricane.
NOAA discusses the Fujita Scale as well as the differences between conventional tornadoes and hurricane-borne tornadoes. Includes safety actions for residents in fixed homes, mobile homes, and apartments.
Alabama Department of Insurance
Offers planning tips as well as contact information for Alabama insurance companies.
National Flood Insurance Program’s interactive site that helps to assess risks from flooding.
Disaster Insurance Information Center
Helps locate companies, settle insurance claims, and find related information.
CNN offers five tips for dealing with insurance claims after a disaster.
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
EPA shows how to fight mold damage.
Check Mobile Home Anchors to Maximize Safety
A Tampa Tribune writer provides help on securing trailers.
Red Cross guidelines on purchasing and operating a generator for your home or business.
International Hurricane Protection Association’s tips for preparing fixed structures, mobile homes, apartments, boats, and businesses for hurricanes. Offers link to the Hurricane Protection Magazine that features reviews of products such as plywood, shutters, and generators. Guidelines for selecting contractors.
Institute for Business and Home Safety offers an extensive plan on strengthening the five most important spots of your building, keeping wind and water out, and securing manufactured homes.
Florida's Department of Emergency Management gives advice on preparing homes to be hurricane-resistant. Covers roofs, walls, windows, and doors. Also shows how to secure outside features such as carport enclosures, porches, storage sheds, and AC units.
Preparing Your Pool for Hurricanes
South Florida Sun Sentinel’s tips for pool owners.
Reducing Damage from Storms with Preventive Action
University of Florida explains how to prevent damage to your home from falling trees.
Reducing Tree Damage in Future Storms
The National Arbor Day Foundation (in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and International Society of Arboriculture) suggest ways you can help trees withstand high winds.
Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry
FEMA gives an extensive plan that includes establishing a disaster team, recognizing probable threats, protecting lives, managing during a crisis, and restoring operations.
Government-sponsored site for emergency planning for businesses.
The Small Business Administration provides disaster planning instructions, information about applying for disaster loans, and contacts for further help.
Resources for Planning: How to Protect Your Pets in an Emergency
CDC's recommendations for keeping small animals safe during a storm.
How to Prepare Your Horses and Barn Before the Storm Blows In!
Floridahorse.com’s guidelines for sheltering horses and other large animals. Includes animal evacuation, identification, vaccinations, and supply kits.
Protecting Your Car in a Hurricane
Road and Travel Magazine offers tips from American Collectors Insurance about securing vehicles against wind and water.
Florida's Department of Emergency Management shows how to bolster the strength of garages.
Florida's "Hurricane Retrofit Guide" explains how to prepare carport roofs for high winds.
Yacht Survey supplies expert tips based on lessons from previous hurricanes.
A Guide to Preparing Marinas and Boats for Hurricanes
BoatUS provides a 12-page PDF brochure that outlines how to develop a plan, when to take action, finding hurricane holes, mooring and anchoring, moving a boat ashore, and preventing theft. Includes a Boat Owner planning worksheet.
Protecting Documents, Books, and Computers
Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery of Computer Equipment and Software
University of Florida offers advice on storing computers safely, saving software, cleaning equipment after a storm, and dealing with warranties.
How to Prepare Your PC for a Hurricane
Broward Community College shows how to shield electronic equipment.
Saving Family Treasure Guidelines
The National Archives features a large online library of brochures that deal with salvaging damaged books, disks, photographs, artwork, and family documents after a hurricane.
Before and After a Flood: Saving Vital Records and Valuables
FEMA's concise advice on safeguarding materials and recovering documents, books, paintings, photographs.
Features current weather, threat level, road closures, and links to local EMA offices.
Sponsored by Alabama EMA. Offers detailed press releases and situation reports about the effects of storms on specific communities in Alabama. Includes verbal storm damage reports, National Guard and civil defense activities, curfews, impact on individuals and businesses, and news about schools and hospitals.
Displays continuously updated top stories from most major news outlets, including CNN, New York Times, Newsweek, and government sites. Focus on specific Alabama people, places, and events by using the search box.
National Weather Service's official site for watches and warnings, forecasts, aircraft reconnaissance, radar and satellite imagery, hurricane history, storm names, email alerts. Links to National Weather Service offices in Alabama.
Yahoo's directory of links to TV stations, radio stations, newspapers, and other sources offering state-wide news as well as news for specific counties and cities of Alabama.
Features storm picture galleries and message boards with reports from storm spotters.
Hurricane Season Contact Information
Official state web site with phone numbers and web pages for Alabama agencies able to help citizens deal with hurricanes.
>>>For more Alabama hurricane-related links, please see these Google searching results.
If you have suggestions about the Alabama Hurricane Preparedness Page, please email , Reference Librarian.
©2007-2009 The
University of Alabama
Last modified:
04/30/08
Comments about this site to: webmaster