Storm Center

Prepare for a Weather Emergency

  • Establish an assembly point where the family meets in the event of a hurricane when the family is not together at home.
  • Give your relatives and friends the name of a contact person who will know where you are and how you are doing.
  • Instruct family members about how to shut off the gas, water and electric mains.
  • Know the location of your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks.
  • Inform local authorities about any special needs, for example, elderly or bedridden people or anyone with a disability.
  • Assemble a disaster readiness kit and ensure that you have water and food supplies for three days.
Disaster Readiness Kit Hurricane Evacuation

The MS State Department of Health advises that in times of severe weather and/or flooding that your water supply could be contaminated with groundwater. If you notice even a brief drop in water pressure you should contact Starkville Utilities to be advised if emergency water purification is necessary. If Boil-Water precautions are required, follow the following guidelines:

  • Vigorously boil water for at least a full minute before using.
  • Treat chemically by adding unscented chlorine bleach in these amounts: two drops of bleach for each quart of clear water or four drops of bleach for each quart of muddy or dirty water. Let the water stand at least 30 minutes before using.
  • Basic hygiene is very important during this emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before eating, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage.
  • Flooding that occurs after the hurricane may mean that water contains fecal matter from sewage systems, agricultural and industrial waste and septic tanks. If you have open cuts or sores exposed to the floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection. If a wound or sore develops redness, swelling or drainage, see a physician.
  • Do not allow children to play in floodwater. They can be exposed to water contaminated with fecal matter. Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in floodwater until the toys have been disinfected. Use ¼ cup of bleach in one gallon of water.

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