Preparing for a hurricane is crucial, as much of the damage is caused by flooding. Generate two survival plans, one for evacuating and one for staying home. Be aware of shelter options, pack supplies, secure your home, and check on neighbors. Stay informed and be proactive to avoid defying evacuation orders.
As many Americans discovered after hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, it’s vitally important to prepare for a hurricane well in advance of one. When a major Category 3, 4, or 5 thunderstorm hits an area, there is little anyone can do to prevent or minimize the widespread damage. Surprisingly, much of the damage caused by a hurricane is caused by flooding, not the high winds that accompany the initial storm. Preparing for a hurricane is like preparing for a tornado, a power outage, and a major flood all at the same time.
One way to prepare for a hurricane is to generate two separate survival plans: one for evacuating and one for staying home. You should purchase and stockpile enough supplies to make both plans viable within a day’s notice. Because a hurricane is a slow-moving weather event, most coastal areas have time to prepare for a hurricane’s arrival. If the storm’s strength is high enough and a direct hit is expected, officials can issue a mandatory evacuation order for citizens living in the affected area.
To prepare for a hurricane evacuation order, you should be aware of all available shelter options. Your family may need to relocate to a relative or friend who lives outside the expected path of the hurricane. Since highways tend to become congested after a mandatory evacuation has been ordered, it’s best to make the journey as soon as you’ve secured your home. Be sure to pack a generous supply of self-contained foods and drinking water. Fill up your vehicle’s tank at the first sign of potential weather problems. Hotels tend to reach full capacity quickly, so book sooner rather than later.
If you plan to stay in your home during a Category 1 or 2 event, you need to prepare for a hurricane with a different mindset. Most homeowners use sheets of plywood to secure windows before high winds hit. A portable gasoline-powered electric generator is also a wise investment. If the electricity goes out after the hurricane has passed, you should be able to keep vital appliances like refrigerators and medical equipment running. A generous supply of drinking water and canned foods should also be kept on hand for the days following the storm.
When you prepare for a hurricane, you are preparing for the worst case scenario and hoping for the best case scenario. You may want to check on elderly or physically challenged neighbors to make sure they have a means to survive or escape the hurricane. Gather important documents and photographs and store them in waterproof containers. Make sure you have sufficient supplies of food and clean bedding for pets, as it could be several days before shops can reopen. Check the batteries in your radios and flashlights, and be sure to keep a spare set of batteries for all your devices.
Best of all, to prepare for a hurricane, watch local and national television broadcasts for up-to-date information and forecasts. Don’t rely solely on the opinions of experienced neighbors, even if conditions don’t seem threatening at the moment. Hurricanes can change direction and intensity without warning, so prepare for a hurricane by being proactive with your survival plans. As survivors of major hurricanes can attest, defying an evacuation order can be the last bad decision you ever make.
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