What to Do Before the Hurricane Hits

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November each year. Experts say that having an Emergency Preparedness Plan is key for families and businesses.

For those living along the southeast and Gulf coasts of the U.S., the Caribbean Islands and Mexico, the warm and sunny days of June signal more than summer is coming. They are also the reminder to get prepared for what might be the next Storm of the Century.

The Danger of Complacency

Each year, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), releases guidelines and checklists designed to help organize individual hurricane preparedness plans. Additionally, numerous news and information websites, television broadcasts, newspapers and magazines publish reports on the need for coastal residents to get ready for the season, most of which are being ignored.

In a recently released 2009 Mason-Dixon poll, the majority of those who live in areas most likely to be affected by a named storm state that they do nothing to ready themselves or their property for hurricane season nor do they see a these storms as a threat to their homes or community. When storms do occur, this complacency leaves a population of millions at serious risk of injury or death should they not be able to evacuate in time and increases the likelihood of significant property damage.

Hurricane Preparedness - Get Out of the Way

Personal emergency plans do not have to be elaborate or complicated. In fact, to be effective preparations should be straightforward and easy to put into motion. The first and perhaps most important decision is to take the weather service warnings seriously. However difficult, property can be replaced but lives cannot. Decide when, where, and how to evacuate ahead of a dangerous storm.

Evacuation routes are marked in most coastal communities however, these routes often include interstate highways, which become jammed with traffic and present a danger themselves. Before a storm ever approaches, determine a primary and an alternative evacuation route and select a destination. If a hurricane is impending, be sure to tell family and friends the details of your plan and then stick to it.

Do not leave your pets at home. If you cannot transport them, check with your local ASPCA or Humane Society for the nearest shelter supporting the PETS Act, which addresses the problem of evacuating household pets from potential disaster areas.

Hurricane Preparedness - Minimum Supplies

The rule of thumb for emergency supplies is to plan for at least three days without power or water. Get ready by collecting your supplies in an easily accessible location and storing them in a container that you can take with you during your evacuation. At a minimum, a hurricane preparedness kit should include:

• Flashlights or battery operated lanterns with three sets of batteries for each
• Battery operated radio with a supply of extra batteries
• Cell phone with extra batteries
• Bottled water, enough for a gallon a day per person plus a supply for pets
• Canned or foods requiring no refrigeration and a hand held can opener
• Disposal dishware and utensils
• Camp stove and fuel
• Pet food and treats
• Kitty litter for cat owners
• Pet carrier and leash
• Specialty items for infants or elderly or disabled household members
• Medical supplies including a first aid kit and two-weeks supply of any needed prescription drugs
• Wet wipes, roll of paper towels, toilet tissue, feminine hygiene products, plastic garbage bags

Hurricane Preparedness - The Storm Will Come, Plan On It

The conviction that because a community has not been hit by a dangerous storm in many years means that there is no threat is a serious mistake. Tropical systems are directed by several factors including the size and strength of the storm, the prevailing winds, and the pressure systems in place at the time, all of which are variable and provide no guarantee of safety. In September 1989, residents of Charleston, South Carolina experienced the power of Hurricane Hugo, a massive Category 4 storm that devastated the area. Before Hugo, the last major storm to come ashore on the South Carolina coast was Hurricane Gracie 30 years earlier. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the first major storm to make landfall near New Orleans since Hurricane Betsy in 1965.

The Wall Street Journal reported in its June 2, 2009 online publication that forecasters with Colorado State University place the probability of a major storm making landfall along the U.S. coastline at 48% during the 2009 hurricane season. Considering the amount of time it takes to organize versus the potential payoff, developing a personal hurricane preparedness plan is in the best interest of every resident and business owner along the Gulf coast and eastern seaboard of the United States. To get started with your plan, visit your community emergency preparedness website for tips and information specific to your area.

Sources:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124395264359576995.html