Savannah, Georgia's Hurricane Preparation Includes Maintaining Evacuation Routes

We have traveled by, through and in Savannah enough to marvel at its beauty and the wonderful charm that seems to surround and envelop the town and everyone who lives there . There is such a peaceful feeling along the waterways in Savannah that it is even difficult to picture the wild twisty terror of a coastal hurricane landing here. But Savannah is also a city with plenty of storm smarts that residents have acquired over the years . The community and state efforts here are considerable and all of them are directed at keeping the citizens of Savannah and their property as safe as possible. All residents need to do is pay attention to directives and follow the suggestions of authorities.

Advanced Preparation.

Being prepared for any natural disaster is always the safest route to take. This is especially true in the instance of an approaching hurricane. It is likely that a hurricane watch will only provide you with about 36 hours of preparation time. Residents and renters in Savannah can help themselves by taking as many hurricane preparation steps in advance of even a warning as is possible. But when that warning does come, it is important to complete your preparations as quickly as possible. The National Hurricane Center has issued these kinds of suggestions

Among the first steps you can take are to fill your gas tank and get plenty of cash . These are both elements for your safety that you may not be able to replace easily as the storm goes on. This is also the time to make sure you have plenty of batteries for cell phones and flashlights and enough flashlights to supply your family. Extra non-perishable food and water supplies should also be stockpiled.

At home you should make sure to secure all important business papers including your home insurance information and phone numbers . Warning time is also the time to literally batten down the hatches. Making sure that doors and windows are firmly fastened and that loose objects are removed from the yard or patio can help prevent damage to property by hurling projectiles

When a watch is issued it is time to give special consideration to the needs of infants, disabled, senior citizens and pets that are in your home. These are all beings that can't necessarily fend totally for themselves. Make sure you have sufficient medications and animal care items at home.

Finally make certain that you have a very complete first aid kit assembled .

Watch and Wait.

One of the most difficult parts of any hurricane is the watching and the waiting and yet this is also a very key time. Keeping radio or television storm centers tuned in can give you up to the minute local information about what is coming your way and when to expect it. The more you know the less anxious and the more pro-active you can be.

Keeping informed is only of value if you act on the information you receive. When you learn that evacuation is suggested it is wise to respond and not wait for a mandatory evacuation. By that time roads will likely be clogged and evacuation may be more perilous and far more taxing than need be. Do not cause more problems for emergency personnel by resisting evacuation.

When Evacuation is Necessary.

The reason why a city has evacuation routes is because the leadership recognizes that the time may very well come when the only safe way is to get away. As is the case in many coastal cities, Savannah recognizes two classes of evacuation. First there is the voluntary evacuation when authorities suggest and perhaps even prod a little, letting people know that getting back away from homes and rentals along the shore is a very , very smart thing to do. This is often followed by mandatory evacuation in which all residents are legally bound to leave their residents because the city of Savannah and the state of Georgia can no longer afford them protection.

One of the best pieces of advice offered by National Hurricane Center is that the best and easiest evacuation is early evacuation. When you determine to leave even before evacuation notices are given you allow yourself to escape the madness and the crowding that occurs when whole regions of the city try to leave at the same time. You are also more likely to find hotel or motel reservations available just outside the evacuation area making it easier for you to get back to your property when the evacuation order is lifted.

The National Hurricane Center has provided a short list of very helpful suggestions should evacuation become necessary. The very first suggestion has to do with the timeliness of departure. If you want to reduce your travel time and one might think , your anxiety level, the earlier you evacuate the better. When you do make the decision to leave you should do so with a full tank of gas. It is impossible to know when you will be able to get gas after the storm hits and for some time after the storm is over . And don't forget some extra coolant for your car. You cannot plan how long you may be standing in traffic on an evacuation route.

The Hurricane Center suggests that packing your car up with snacks and drinks is also a wise decision . Even when you evacuate early, you leave with no certainty of how soon you will arrive at your new shelter or what you will find there. It is wise also, if you have children, to pack your car with toys, books and games to keep them entertained as the drive back from the shore can be a long one filled with many delays.

Bringing cash with you is an imperative and getting yourself a supply well in advance is also a good tip for those living in areas that frequently face evacuation. it may be impossible to deal with credit cards during a hurricane evacuation so cash becomes essential. Any evacuation requires that you give special consideration to your own special situation. Do you have pets? Are there senior citizens or small children in your party? These family members must be provided for .

Savannah Evacuation Routes.

The city of Savannah maintains and directs four major evacuation routes from coastal areas. It is important if you live in coastal areas to make yourself aware of these four routes and also how you would approach each in order to leave from your residence or rental . These routes are provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation

U. S. 80 moving away from the coastal areas towards Statesboro and generally moving to the Northwest.

SR 204 West to U. S. 280 heading towards Claxton and points west

SR 21 North going across I- 95 heading north in the direction of Sylvania

I-16 headed West and moving towards Macon

As you evacuate you are reminded that there will be some lane reversals to watch for. When evacuation is in full swing there is of course an effort made to maximize lanes headed west and north of Savannah to expedite speedy withdrawal

Naturally not every storm that comes up the East Coast is going to make landfall in Savannah . But it only takes one serious hit to do incredible damage and inflict unacceptable loss of life and property. Being prepared both to ride out storm or to evacuate well in advance are the keys suggested by storm survival experts.