Hurricane Emergency Preparedness Tips
If you live on the coast in an area that is prone to hurricanes it’s important to be prepared and to keep an eye on the weather forecast, particularly during hurricane season. If you’re new to the area, or if a rare hurricane is heading your way, here are some important tips to help you prepare and stay safe.
Know When A Storm Is Approaching
It’s impossible to be prepared if you don’t know what’s coming and when. In this day and age it is easy to stay alert to any severe weather threats including hurricanes. Hurricanes have the added benefit of being one of the very few natural disasters that we can see coming from a long way off. Set up severe weather alerts on your phone, watch the news, or keep up with the National Hurricane Center website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Secure Your Property
Hurricanes bring a lot of rain and strong winds with them. Use the time you have before the storm reaches you to secure your property. Bring in things like patio furniture or grills that should be thrown around and possibly into a window by the storms.
Before hurricane season starts, it may also be a good idea to evaluate any trees on your property and have them cut back or cut down if needed. If you’re prone to flooding having a few sandbags around to keep water from entering your home may also be a good idea.
Prepare To Ride It Out
If you plan on riding out the storm at home and have not been asked to evacuate, make sure you are prepared to lose power and be stuck at home for several days. Make sure you have plenty of clean drinking water and food stored. It helps to have food that’s ready to eat if the power goes out and you can’t cook outside because of the weather. In other words, stock up on some canned good and things like crackers, peanut butter and bread. Keep a battery operated weather radio handy so you can continue to monitor the situation.
Evacuate If Needed – The Earlier The Better
If you are asked to evacuate, don’t hesitate to pack up and head out. Things can be replaced, people can’t. The earlier you leave the better. You don’t want to be stuck in a lot of traffic with a huge storm at your back.
Make sure you know your evacuation routes well ahead of time and have alternate routes planned as well. Head to a shelter if you must. These places quickly get crowded though, so if you have alternative options like staying with a family member or friend, take advantage of them.
Have Emergency Contact Information Handy
Create emergency contact information including numbers for the local police department and emergency services, your insurance company, doctors and of course all family members. Having these numbers with you will come in handy when you have to leave at the spur of the moment. Don’t rely on electronic devices. Power may be out and a good old fashioned index card with important numbers on it will come in handy.
Tornado Emergency Preparedness Tips
Tornados are some of the hardest natural disasters to prepare for because they often strike fairly unexpectedly and very quickly. Unlike hurricanes and snow storms you don’t see them coming with several days of warning. Because of this it is very important that you are prepared at all times if you live in an area that’s prone to tornadoes.
Makes Sure You Are Prepared Ahead Of Time
Things will move fast when a tornado hits. You won’t have a lot of time to plan and prepare. The more you can get done well ahead of time, the better. Start by determining the safest place in your home to get though the storm. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. Basements are ideal, otherwise, stay on the lowest floor possible and put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Once you’ve figured out your safe room, prepare a small emergency kit that includes things like a flashlight, weather radio, a whistle and some bottled water and food. A first aid kit is also a good addition. Keep this kit in your safe room.
Now is also a good time to create an emergency contact plan. Make sure you have phone numbers for your children’s schools on hand at all times, and have the kids memorize your mobile phone numbers. Talk about what could happen and what you want them to do should they be at school or a friend’s house when a tornado strikes.
Pay Attention When Weather Conditions Are Favorable For Tornadoes
Pay close attention to the news, emergency services, warning sirens and the likes when weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes. During a tornado watch tornadoes are possible. If a tornado warning is issued, a tornado has been observed either in person or via radar. Take shelter immediately until the danger passes.
If you are outside, you’ll notice a very dark sky with almost greenish undertones. Tornadoes often come along with dark, low clouds and large hail. If you hear a loud noise that sounds like an incoming train or if you see a spinning cloud formation heading your way, take shelter immediately. The same holds true if you hear tornado sirens.
Find A Safe Place To Wait It Out
If you are at home, head to your designated safe spot. If you are in a different building, find the safest spot you can using the same criteria as mentioned above. If you are outside, seek shelter if possible. Avoid bridges and overpasses. If you can’t find a sturdy building to get into, find a low spot and cover your head with your arms and anything else you have like a blanket or jacket.
Law enforcement, fire fighters, our military, secret service all work every day on being prepared. You should take a few minutes each day and work on being prepared. Being prepared is the key to surviving these types of natural emergencies. If you are not prepared it could be to late when the emergency happens.
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