Preparing for Hurricane Season
NOW is the time!
Well before the actual start of Hurricane Season....you should already start stockpiling and preparing for a storm. After a storm necessity's are not easily available. Some of the information here is from personal experience and our opinions.
Are you planning on using some of those left over MRE's and supplies you gathered after Katrina? Be sure you check expiration dates on old supplies and refresh as needed!!
"Are you living in temporary homes? Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there are thousands now living in FEMA provide temporary homes. And many still waiting for housing such as mobile homes and trailers. Be prepared to leave. Do not try to ride out a storm in such a home. Your first home didn't survive the storms so don't expect a temporary home to survive."
The 2007 Hurricane Season is expected to be as bad.. The good news if possible, is Katrina and Rita helped us know how to prepare for any other storms. You may already have much of the needed emergency supplies left. Generators and extension cords, and fuel cans.
Primarily, by the time a storm hits you should have all your preparations completed! If you prepare in advance and plan ahead. Your stress levels will be much lower.
Step 1.
KNOW SOME OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH A STORM.
Can occur from heavy rains,rivers,drainage ditches.
Typically associated with the land falling hurricane.
Depending on intensity of storm, can cover extremely
large areas of coastline, as Katrina demonstrated.
The storm surge typically causes the most deaths associated
with a hurricane.
Roof damage,falling trees,power lines, can demolish entire
homes.
Often occur with land falling hurricanes. Can cause tremendous
wind type damage very far from the center of a hurricane in
unexpected areas.Know what potential hazards may affect you or your home. Flooding potential, storm surge susceptibility. If your home or residence may flood. LEAVE. Katrina has given us many stories of people who stayed in their homes and were flooded due to unexpected storm surge levels.
Step 2.
Start collecting material and supplies NOW. Wood / Shutters for boarding up windows. Dont wait until the last minute to try to aquire wood and then cut and mount it. Have it precut and ready to mount. Store it until needed. I know from experience that trying to hold a 8x4 plywood sheet on a ladder in gusty wind is very difficult.
Who would have guessed that the ply-lock clips used to mount plywood sheets on windows would disappear off the shelfs as a storm approached.. Prepare Early.Test your generator NOW and perform any repairs. A generator that doesnt work properly after the storm is not very helpful.
Step 3.
Have an evacuation plan. While you can not easily say where exactly you will evacuate months in advance. Have maps available and write down your plans. Ensure your friends and family know where you plan to evacuate. (Its very difficult to reserve motel rooms in some areas once people start evacuating. Rooms as far as Memphis, TN become scarce during large mass evacuations. So make your reservations early. If you plan to evacuate).
Step 4.
If a hurricane developes. Stay Informed! Do be caught by suprise if a storms path or intensity changes. We know that a storms path and intensity can change dramatically in hours. In sometimes, unexpected manners. OBEY your local governments recommendations. If they suggest you leave the area..seriously consider leaving. Know where local shelters are setup. Know what is allowed to take to a shelter. Dont just show up without food or water or blankets. They may not be setup to provide them. They will be providing a place thats safer to stay in than your home in most cases.
Your Disaster Supply Kit (Yes YOU should have one)-
The following (taken from the NHC Disaster Supply Kit Instructions) should be included in everyones "Kit".
Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
• non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
• foods for infants or the elderly
• snack foods
• non-electric can opener
• cooking tools / fuel
• paper plates / plastic utensilsBlankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Cash (with some small bills) - Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
• insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
• proper identification / immunization records / medications
• ample supply of food and water
• a carrier or cage
• muzzle and leashEnsure your Generator is functional.
Additionally we found that having several extra gas cans for our generator was VERY helpful. Also if you are able you might want to stockpile some fuel in advance, but be aware that long term storage of gas requires specific fuel additives and some very serious safety issues. After Katrina, we had a serious problem aquiring fuel for vehicles and generators.Links to help you be informed:
The National Hurricane Centers Disaster Preparedness Week
Hurricanes: Natures Greatest Storms - NOAA
Hurricane Strike! An Interactive Course in Hurricane Science and Safety
Hurricane forcasts and real time data:
National Weather Service NHC Tropical Prediction Center
Our Gulf Coast Hurrican Center site. Not an official outlet, but we gather and provide timely and related storm information for the impacted areas. We also have archived historical storm track data for Katrina and Ivan and other storms.
The picture below shows the power outage associated with Hurricane Katrina.
The read areas are shown on the image on the left,where lights existed prior to the storm but not afterwards. Where were you when the lights went out?
These images are from the National Geophysical Data Center(NGDC)
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
• non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
• foods for infants or the elderly
• snack foods
• non-electric can opener
• cooking tools / fuel
• paper plates / plastic utensilsBlankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Cash (with some small bills) - Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
• insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
• proper identification / immunization records / medications
• ample supply of food and water
• a carrier or cage
• muzzle and leashEnsure your Generator is functional.
Additionally we found that having several extra gas cans for our generator was VERY helpful. Also if you are able you might want to stockpile some fuel in advance, but be aware that long term storage of gas requires specific fuel additives and some very serious safety issues. After Katrina, we had a serious problem aquiring fuel for vehicles and generators.Links to help you be informed:
The National Hurricane Centers Disaster Preparedness Week
Hurricanes: Natures Greatest Storms - NOAA
Hurricane Strike! An Interactive Course in Hurricane Science and Safety
Hurricane forcasts and real time data:
National Weather Service NHC Tropical Prediction Center
Our Gulf Coast Hurrican Center site. Not an official outlet, but we gather and provide timely and related storm information for the impacted areas. We also have archived historical storm track data for Katrina and Ivan and other storms.
The picture below shows the power outage associated with Hurricane Katrina.
The read areas are shown on the image on the left,where lights existed prior to the storm but not afterwards. Where were you when the lights went out?
These images are from the National Geophysical Data Center(NGDC)
