As post-tropical storm Lee has now passed the province, PEI EMO has deactivated the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre from Level 1, back to regular operations and routine monitoring. The provincial government has reached out to neighbouring provinces who were harder hit by Lee to offer assistance and support. Provincial and EMO officials remind you to stay prepared as hurricane season runs from June through November. You should be preparing by:
- making a household emergency plan so that everyone knows what to do in case of emergency;
- updating your preparedness kits, including extra food, pet supplies, water, masks and hygiene products;
- bringing in or tying down furniture, play equipment, barbeques or anything that can become projectiles in the event of high winds;
- ensuring you have fuel for generators and vehicles, as well as propane for outdoor cooking devices such as barbeques;
- replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms;
- never operating a generator or barbeque anywhere inside a home, including a garage. Best practice is to keep a generator 20 feet from the home and pointing the exhaust away from the home;
- ensuring a generator is not operating in heavy rain unless the generator has a top cover protecting the electrical system; and
- keeping up with the latest information from reliable sources such as following PEI Government, local media, and law enforcement social media channels.
