If a storm threatens, it pays to know your zone

Tropical Storm Chantal didn’t have much effect at all on the Eastern Shore but it can serve as reminder that the bulk of the active hurricane season is still ahead of us.  Usually hurricane season doesn’t really ramp up until the last two weeks of August and throughout September but storms can also come earlier.

The most important piece of information is your zone.  Visit the ShoreDailyNews/ANEC Hurricane Survival guide and utilize the Know Your Zone tool.  Enter your address or look at the map and you can determine if your home is located in a flood prone zone.

Now is the time to make plans to evacuate if it becomes necessary.  First determine where you would go if evacuation is recommended.  You can make arrangements with friends or family members in safe areas to ride the storm out with them or choose one of the public shelters.

Remember to consider your pets in the equation.  As a rule pets are not allowed at the public shelters although Nandua Middle School has been opened to pets in the past.

Northampton County is expected to have shelter space available at Machipongo Middle School so residents have an evacuation option other than coming up to Nandua Middle School.

Planning in advance is the key to protecting your home and possessions.  Log onto Shore Daily News.com for more hurricane preparation tips.  Be sure to check out our recorded interview with Accomack, Northampton and Chincoteague EMS officials.