<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>FORWARDED FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK AT 5:30 AM:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>expected Hurricane Milton’s cone of uncertainty, here’s how you can prepare for the storm now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is recommended that households should be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PREPARE YOUR ICE PACKS OR COOLERS NOW IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGE.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CJHARGE YOUR PPORTABLE CELL PHONE CHARGERS NOW!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BRING IN ALL OUTDOOR ITEMS THAT MAY BE LIFTED BY WIND IF POSSIBLE.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It’s better to make storm preparations now, before the hurricane arrives. The closer the storm gets to landfall, the more stores will get crowded and supplies run out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you already have a hurricane kit, check it and remove anything with an expiration date before Nov. 30 of this year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you don’t have a kit, here are some of the items recommended for it:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hurricane supplies<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CLEAN CONTAINERS for storing drinking water: You will need a gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Have a two-week supply on hand for each person. Food-grade plastic containers that have screw caps, such as 2-liter soda bottles, are best.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>GALLON-SIZED freezer bags for making ice: You’ll want to fill them with water and freeze as many as you can a few days before the storm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HOUSEHOLD BLEACH, without lemon scent, to purify water if necessary.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TOOLS: hammer and nails; ax or hatchet; crowbar; screwdrivers; pliers; a drill (consider battery-powered) with screwdriver bits and adapters to install bolts; extra fasteners and bolts for shutters; a knife, handsaw.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>DUCT TAPE and masking tape.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A FLASHLIGHTfor each family member, with extra batteries. Do not store the batteries in the flashlights from year to year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SOLAR LIGHTS can be charged before a storm. You can use specific indoor solar lights or bring solar landscaping lights inside to use if power goes out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PAPER PLATESand plastic eating utensils, which you can toss to help you save water.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HAND-OPERATED can opener.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TOILET PAPER. Keep it dry in plastic bags.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PRESCRIPTION medications, enough for a month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>DISPOSABLE diapers and wipes, and diaper cream.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CAT LITTER, good for soaking up spills.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PET FOOD, a two-week supply.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>GARBAGE BAGS with ties; several boxes for collecting trash and storing goods to keep them dry.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FIRST-AID KIT in a waterproof container.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CASH. Power may be out after the storm including at ATMs. Stores without power may only accept cash immediately after the storm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition to having a hurricane kit, here are other storm preparation recommendations:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your fuel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fill up your car with gas before the storm. Also, fill propane tanks and buy charcoal so you can use grills for cooking if you are left without electricity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your food<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ideally, put together a supply of all basic foods.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Canned meats, fruits (in juice), vegetables, soups, stews and chilis<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Powdered and/or evaporated milk; powdered drink mixes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Instant coffee, tea and cocoa<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unsalted nuts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peanut butter, jelly, honey<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fruit and vegetable juices, diet soft drinks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bouillon cubes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Non-perishable pudding, gelatin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bottled water<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pet food<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Supplements to food basics<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fruit. Most varieties will keep several days at room temperature, and dried fruit<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Individually packaged juices, drinks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheese spreads and cheese slices that don’t need refrigeration<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ready-made baby formula, not the powder or concentrate; baby food in jars<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cookies, crackers, chips<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Small boxes of dry cereal<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bread, muffins, bagels<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Summer sausage, pepperoni<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Condiments, including ketchup, mustard, onions, garlic, oil and vinegar. Virtually any condiment can spice up canned vegetables<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your cell phones<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fully charge cell phones or laptops before the storm. Consider getting portable charging devices to use to re-charge phones and computers if power goes out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your home<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep trees around your home trimmed well before the storm to prevent damage from broken branches.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have the proper materials in advance to protect windows from flying debris. Plywood or aluminum hurricane shutters are among the most popular ways to “board up” before a storm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bring loose outdoor items such as patio furniture inside. Think about items that could blow around and cause damage to your home.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secure all doors on your property. Remember the garage door is usually the most vulnerable. You can brace it inside with plywood and 2×4 lumber.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Move your car inside a garage or to another secure location.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your insurance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Check you insurance polices well ahead of the storm to see what is and is not covered by your policy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Make sure you have flood insurance. “Flooding is the leading cause of damage from tropical systems,” the NHC said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Visit www.floodsmart.gov to learn about your home’s flood risk and flood insurance options available to you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Prepare your vehicles according to your specific insurance policies to ensure that any possible damage will be covered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Know where your insurance documents and contract information are located. “Take them with you if you evacuate,” the hurricane center said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>