Hurricane safety: Those who have lived through storms offer their advice

What You Need In Your Disaster Emergency Kit

Those who live in Florida and other parts of the country that frequently get hurricane warnings know what to do when a storm is bearing down on them. For those who rarely get a mega-storm in their state, those who have been through hurricanes are sharing their expertise via social media.

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It’s the little things that you don’t focus on daily. Paperwork like your birth certificate, passport and credit cards needs to be gathered before the storm, according to people who have survived storms.

Other people added their comments to the post, suggesting items like a hand-crank transistor radio to stay connected. Others still suggested getting cash now instead of waiting until after the stormwaters recede.

Those on social media may be onto something.

The National Hurricane Center agrees that people should plan before the storm hits.

It's also important to have a family emergency plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has put together a checklist as a starting point.

Georgia's Emergency Management Agency has suggested learning the flood risks and getting ready kits together for both your home and your car.

What should be in the kit? Water, food, a battery-operated radio, garbage bags and a can opener are a good start.

If you are forced to evacuate, make sure you have helpful apps to find gas, hotel rooms and traffic routes.

Preston Guiher carries a sheet of plywood as he prepares to board up a Wells Fargo bank in preparation for Hurricane Florence in downtown Charleston, S.C., Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018.

Credit: AP Photo/Mic Smith

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Credit: AP Photo/Mic Smith