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Hurricane season began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

The National Weather Service, the S.C. Emergency Preparedness Division, and county emergency preparedness offices want to encourage the citizens of the Palmetto state to prepare for the hurricane season by developing or reviewing their hurricane safety plans and educating themselves on the specific threats and problems hurricanes pose.

Individuals needing more information regarding hurricanes can contact one of the offices listed below.

• Steve Rich, Charleston Weather Service Office, 727-4395
• Jerry Harrison, Warning Coordinator Meterologist, 727-4395
• Joe Pelissier, Greer Weather Service Office, 848-1332
• Joe Farmer, SC Emergency Preparedness Division Director of Public Information, 734-8020

Don't let any of 1999's hurricanes catch you off guard

• Arlene
• Bret
• Cindy
• Dennis
• Emily
• Floyd
• Gert
• Harvey
• Irene
• Jose
• Katrina
• Lenny
• Maria
• Nate
• Ophelia
• Philippe
• Rita
• Stan
• Tammy
• Vince
• Wilma

Hurricane preparation check list for area residents

If you decide that your home is relatively safe and above the storm level:

• Have a plan. Sit down with family members at the beginning of hurricane season and get ideas on paper. If your family works as a team, more will be accomplished during a storm.
• Make a video tape of the interior and exterior of house and property and their value. Take these with you if you leave your house.
• Check your insurance coverage. Make sure that you are covered for flood and windstorm damage. You may not be able to change your coverage once a storm threatens your area, as most insurers have a time wait before coverage becomes effective.
• Have plenty of cash or travelers checks on hand, as banks may be closed and ATM and credit cards may not be used during power losses.
• Fill car with gas and make sure battery is in good condition. Review area maps.
• Check battery powered equipment such as a weather radio, flashlight, and clock. Have many extra batteries on hand.
• Lower and secure TV or radio antennas, roof turbines, window air conditioners and gutters.
• Check supply of emergency foods. Plan on a minimum of two weeks worth of food and drink for the entire family.
• Pack important papers and valuables and keep them in waterproof containers.
• Check prescription drug supply.
• Have battery operated or oil lamps on hand. Do not use candles during a hurricane. Many unnecessary deaths occur during storms due to fires attributed to the use of candles. Candles can be used safely once the storm has passed.
• Make arrangements for safety of pets. Have plenty of pet food on hand, and make water allowances for pets. Have their inoculations up to date. (Remember, pets are not allowed in evacuation shelters.)
• Collect drinking water in plastic containers, cooking pots, bathtubs and washers. Remember, a gallon per day, per person.
• Turn refrigerator/freezer to the coldest setting to preserve food as long as possible in case of a power failure. Keep a cooler handy with ice available.
• Have emergency cooking facilities on hand for use after the storm has passed.
• Do not empty inground swimming pools. Keep pool water level 12 inches below the edge.
• Wedge sliding glass doors and brace garage doors to prevent them from being lifted from their tracks.
• Protect appliances and furniture by elevating them off floor level.
• Remove objects surrounding the house, such as garbage cans, lawnmowers and patio furniture.
• Early in the season have storm shutters or exterior plywood (minimum of 5/8 inch thickness) cut to fit each window. Use duct tape to strengthen interior windows. (Tape each window diagonally from corner to corner, and then in a checkerboard pattern.) Do not tape windows covered with solar film.
• Trim surrounding trees of dead or overhanging branches.
• If possible, remove at least 75 percent of screens in your patio enclosure.
• Be alert for tornado watches. Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations as well as NOAA weather radio for up to date weather statements and emergency instructions.
• Do not open a window on the opposite side of the hurricane winds. The damage done by a hurricane is not due to the difference in pressure of the hurricane and the house interior.
• Avoid standing near windows and glass doors during the storm.
• Wait for official word that the danger is over. Do not be fooled by the calm conditions as the hurricane’s eye passes over. Many people are killed because they went out during the eye to “fix something” and were caught unexpectedly in the opposite eye.

If you leave the area:

• Plan to stay away at least 2-3 weeks. It could take that long or longer for public safety personnel to secure the area for re-entry.
• Let your out-of-state relatives know where you are going in case of an emergency.
• Have a plan. Call hotels ahead of time to see if they take pets and have available rooms.
• Keep a current road map and know where you are going.
• Bring cash or travelers checks.
• Stay away from large bodies of water in case of flooding.
• If you need to travel in tall vehicles such as vans and motor homes, leave before the wind picks up.
• Remember, bridges are closed to traffic and high winds. If you intend to leave, travel early during the hurricane watch to avoid traffic, possible flooding, and high winds.
• Place pets in carriers. Check with vet about tranquilizers and their usage to calm pets. Bring along their food, water, vitamins, toys and medications.
• Do not put two normally friendly pets together in the same carrier.