Coastal States Preparing for Hurricane
By Knoxville Daily Sun Staff
August 24, 2011; 8:27 pm

Most of the Northeast U.S. is taking this storm very serious and have begun to prepare for its impact.

New York City (8.2 million people) officials plan to open its emergency operations center in Brooklyn today.

North Carolina's emergency response center will stay open 24 hours beginning tomorrow.

Some of the coastal areas in North Carolina have been evacuated while others are continuing to be evacuated. How far inland they will go will depend on the latest news and updates. NC Governor Bev Perdue says, "Prepare for the worst and pray for the best."

Depending on many different factors, as many as 30 million+ people could be affected. South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, DC, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine /// New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are all in the current projected path of the hurricane.

Although all projections are stating that that the hurricane won't make landfall in Florida and Georgia these two states are apt to experience huge waves and some flooding along the Eastern coast.

Below is a list of things that you and your family might want to consider stocking up on and preparing.

• Bottled Water
• Phone, charger and extra charged batteries. (During Katrina most phone service was out but many people could still text.)
• Cash on hand – (ATMs are always one of the first things to go out.)
• Fill up your gas tank(s) Depending on the magnitude – most, if not all gas stations could be closed down.
• Gather your most important papers into one box or carry-case.
• Hotel & Motel Reservations (They fill up very quickly.)
• Study maps to plan your route. Stick to the emergency exit routes (often the back roads and shortcuts are congested.)
• Keep your GPS on.
• Make arrangements with/for friends, family and pets.
• Offer stranded and elderly people a ride to safety.
• If you're employed with an out-of-state company make sure they know exactly what's going on and what your plans are.
• Shut off all electric appliances.
• Leave natural gas on. (Unless local officials advise otherwise, leave natural gas on because you will need it for heating and cooking when you return home. If you turn gas off, a licensed professional is required to turn it back on, and it may take weeks for a professional to respond.)
• If you intend to leave or you're being evacuated, don't wait for the last minute. Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather, flooding or stuck in extreme traffic.
• Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges. Do not drive into flooded areas.
• Flashlight with plenty of extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications in their original bottle and copies of the prescriptions
• Eyeglasses (with a copy of the prescription)
• Foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking
• Items that infants and elderly household members may require
• Medical equipment and devices, such as dentures, crutches, prostheses, etc.
• Change of clothes for each household member
• Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
• Checkbook, and credit cards
• Map of destination area

Important papers to take with you:
• Driver's license or personal identification
• Social Security card
• Proof of residence (deed or lease)
• Insurance policies
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Stocks, bonds, and other negotiable certificates
• Wills, deeds, and copies of recent tax returns