Episode # 409 "Hurricane Preparedness"
A hurricane has formed, and now it has turned and is taking aim at YOU. Are you ready? Do you know what to do? Do you have the resources you'll need to survive this monster and its catastrophic aftermath?
That's what we are talking about today - preparing for hurricanes
Two Hurricanes out there right now, Idalia & Frederick
Understand What We Are Dealing With
Stats on Idalia in the Gulf -- currently a Cat 2. Forecat upgraded to Cat 3 after recording
Major concerns about increases in intensity and the flood surge coming, evacuations ordered, high winds at 100 mph now.
Categories of hurricanes are based on their wind speeds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. That wind speed is often based on the barometric pressure in millibars in the center of the storm.
Here are the categories and their potential impacts:
Category 1 (74-95 mph): minimal damage potential
Damage to roofs, gutters, and trees
Power outages and some coastal flooding
Category 2 (96-110 mph): moderate damage potential
Significant damage to roofs, windows, and doors
Power outages and coastal flooding becomes more severe.
Category 3 (111-129 mph): extensive damage potential.
Major damage to well-built homes, uproot trees, and destroy mobile homes. Widespread power outages and significant coastal flooding are expected.
Category 4 (130-156 mph): extreme damage potential
Severe damage to well-built homes, with roofs and walls collapsing
Power outages can last weeks, and extensive coastal flooding is likely
Category 5 (157 mph or higher): catastrophic damage potential.
Complete roof failure and destruction of homes.
Power outages can last for weeks or months
Extensive coastal flooding is expected.
Examples of notable hurricanes in history
Hurricane Katrina (2005): Cat 5, One of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history,
Widespread destruction along the Gulf Coast, particularly in New Orleans.
The storm surge breached levees, leading to catastrophic flooding and the displacement of thousands of people.
Personally saw damage from 18’ storm surge.
Hurricane Andrew (1992): Andrew struck South Florida as a Category 5 hurricane, causing widespread destruction in Miami-Dade County. It remains one of the most intense hurricanes to hit the United States, resulting in billions of dollars in damages and major changes in building codes and hurricane preparedness.
Hurricane Harvey (2017): Cat 3, Harvey made landfall in Texas, causing unprecedented rainfall and catastrophic flooding in Houston and surrounding areas. It became one of the costliest hurricanes on record, resulting in extensive property damage and loss of life.
Hurricane Sandy (2012): Cat 3, when it made landfall in Cuba,
weakened to a post-tropical cyclone before reaching the United States.
Sandy impacted the northeastern United States, particularly New York and New Jersey. It caused significant storm surge, flooding, and power outages, resulting in billions of dollars in damages and numerous fatalities.
The majority of people are typically killed in hurricanes due to storm surge, flooding, and drowning.
Hurricane Preparedness
Stay Informed – monitor local new services, NWS sites, and NOAA weather radio
How to interpret hurricane watches and warnings
A hurricane watch means that there is a possibility of hurricane conditions developing within a specific area, typically within 48 hours.
Start preparing for the potential threat
Emergency plans
Ensure you have necessary supplies ready.
Hurricane Warning: more serious and indicates that hurricane conditions are expected to occur within a specific area, usually within 36 hours.
Means that the threat is imminent, and immediate action should be taken to
protect lives and property.
Follow evacuation orders if given, secure homes, and move to a safe location to protect lives and property.
Have That Written Emergency Plan
Well-thought-out –
Written
Key elements:
evacuation routes
meeting points
communication methods
Important document binder
Have an Emergency Kit
Essential items to have:
non-perishable food
water
medications
Prescription and Non-prescription
flashlights
Extra batteries
Portable radio -
Battery operated or hand crank
preferably NOAA Weather Radio
Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier,
baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices
First aid kit
emergency bandages of various sizes
Rolled gauze
Adhesive tape
Anti-bacterial ointment
Cold pack
Fire extinguisher (ABC-type)
Other items to have:
Blankets, clothing, and personal hygiene products. Important documents and cash readily available.
Don't forget about your pets.
Make sure you have supplies for them and a plan for their safety.
Have the tools to turn off utilities
Secure Your Property
secure loose objects, and
reinforce windows and doors.
installing hurricane shutters or
boarding up windows when advised.
Be Prepared To Evacuate
Know when you are going to leave
At a specific category?
Upon evacuation orders ?
Storm surge risk?
High wind vulnerability?
If you reside in a mobile home, a structurally weak building, leave
or an area with a high risk of wind damage
Flooding potential?
If you live in a low-lying area or an area prone to flash flooding,
Previous experiences: If your area has a history of severe hurricane impacts
These are real considerations for evacuating.
Know where you are going to go
Friends or family
Hotels – leave early, they’ll fill up
May have better luck traveling perpendicular to the storm path
Shelters
Have an app that shows shelter locations
Know the Red Cross has one
Probably FEMA
Have your evacuation bags already packed
Could have a sudden change of direction of the storm
Pack changes of clothes
Some food and water for the trip
Cash for the trip
Debit card may quit working
If you plan to ride it out
Realize Emergency services are not coming during the storm
Not risking the lives to rescue those that should have left
Be able to be totally self-sufficient for three to five days
Stay in your safe place until the storm passes
This could be 12 hours or more
If you are going to ride out a cat 4 or cat 5 hurricane:
Please write your name and next of kin on your arm, with a sharpie. It wont help keep you safe, but it will help identify your body and notify your next of kin, IF you are found after the hurricane.
During the Storm
Stay indoors, away from windows
Avoid using candles
Winds can knock over candles,
Gas leaks and other flammable materials can ignite
Causing explosions or fire
Safer to rely on flashlights or battery-powered lanterns
After The Storm
Be very aware of potential hazards:
Downed power lines
Broken power poles & low hanging lines
Debris such as broken glass and nails
Snakes
Alligators moved by storm surge
Contaminated water
Weakened structures
Check on your neighbors
Offering assistance if possible
Notify family of your situation
Work your communication plan
Have one contact outside the impact area
Cell phones are often overloaded
Text messages may get though quicker
Do a Social Media Check-in
Change your voicemail message before evacuating to give the location of here you are going.
Document all damage:
Take photos or videos of any damage to your property and belongings for insurance purposes.
This documentation will help with the claims process.
Insurance: Review your insurance policies now to ensure they cover hurricane damage and flooding.
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