As Hurricane Irene Makes Landfall, FEMA Issues Safety Tips f

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WASHINGTON - As Hurricane Irene makes landfall in North Carolina and continues to move up the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working closely with states in the storm's projected path to ensure they have the resources they need to respond. FEMA officials are urging residents and businesses to listen to the instructions of their local officials, closely follow news and weather reports, and evacuate, if told to do so. The window of preparation for residents who live up the East Coast is quickly closing. We can't stop this storm from causing damage, but we can prevent the storm from taking lives, if members of the public heed the warnings of their local officials.

If it is no longer safe to evacuate, FEMA has issued the following safety tips for how to weather the storm at home:

• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
• Close all interior doors -- secure and brace external doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
For more tips on what to do during a hurricane, visit: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_during.shtm.