As you start getting the news about Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Irma, not to mention Jose coming after her, you may be wondering about your little area of the world; Is it safe and can you escape if a large funnel of wind, rain, and waves comes from behind your city? With proper hurricane preparation, hurricane supplies, and some planning, you can rest assured. It will also help your family get closer.
Hurricane planning
A great hurricane guide and recommended hurricane kit will help you get through the hurricane. Think about what’s to come when you find yourself in the path of a hurricane. There will be a fairly wide strip of storm with winds (depending on whether it is Category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) of up to 200 miles per hour. No matter where it “lands” as it is heading towards you, trees can break, roads can bend, and power lines will start to fall. This, of course, makes it dangerous to be on the roads, even if you want to go out.
You’ll probably run out of power before you feel the wind and / or rain, so use the time you have to watch TV and listen to the radio about what’s to come. During this time, the planning you’ll need to do, if you haven’t already, is pretty straightforward:
Gather materials that will help you survive for a few days. This will be your ‘Go-Bag’ or hurricane kit and should be prepared in advance for when needed.
* Paper maps the local area from your neighborhood to the safest place you think you can get to is a good idea. This could mean for the state line, or at least completely out of the danger zone. Don’t rely on the Google Maps app on your cell phone as the signal may not even be there for your operation.
* Crank radius to hear disaster news and updates. If you have a good battery-powered one, get a lot of batteries now, so you don’t have to go to the store, which will probably be dead when you get there anyway.
* Water for each member of your group. You will need approximately one gallon for each member per day. Pack more if it’s hot and you’ll do any kind of strenuous activity to survive. Don’t worry so much about the water for bathing, as this luxury can be ignored for a couple of days.
* Medicines: Pack all normal and regular medications for everyone. Include a large quantity of sanitary or antiseptic wipes. A complete first aid kit should also be packed. You should also carry a bottle or can of water purifying tablets in your purse. You’ll also want to include any really valuable paperwork and / or things looters like to get if you’re not there to protect them.
* A sharp knife, a tarp for shelter, and sleeping bags. it can also be included. Be careful packing guns unless you know the laws in your area and the zone you are going to. Do not depend on the authorities who look the other way all the time in this matter.
* Meal: Your hurricane supplies should contain enough food for your family. This should include simple things that don’t need to be heated, as this comfort can be hard to find for a while. Pre-purchased dehydrated foods are ideal.
If you will be able to move out of the area in your car or truck, weight may not be an issue; However, if you are going out or taking someone else’s transport, weight will be a big issue and All of the above supplies will need to be divided into a backpack or duffel bag for each member of your party, so plan this carefully.
House preparation
It could help ensure you have a drier place to return to. All things that can be picked up by the wind and thrown out your windows should be brought inside. This can also prevent looters from obtaining them. This includes patio furniture and those cute patio gnomes that can make nasty torpedoes when launched through the patio door. The barbecue grill in the shed or garage and the tables and chairs should also be brought inside.
Several days before the storm hits, if there are still open sawmills, get plywood and mount it over at least the large windows you have. It won’t matter if your home is destroyed or destroyed, but otherwise these few steps will help keep things together and less water and damage can enter your home. It could go to the point of putting sandbags on all exterior doors and basement entrances. Many communities offer a lot of sand in situations like this. By checking the news, you can find out if it is available in your area.
Even if you evacuate to a local security center, established in a safe area by the city or state, preserving your home will help you get back to business faster after everything is clear.
If the storm is not going to physically hit your home, you may decide to shelter indoors. Follow the instructions above to prepare your home and consider purchasing a generator. This might be necessary because, even if the hurricane doesn’t pass through your home or neighborhood, your electrical power comes from a little further away than that and can be shut off.
Check list
A quick look at your hurricane preparedness:
- As soon as you hear about the storm, follow its progress through television and radio.
- Start packing your Go-Bag.
- Check for open sawmills and clean the patio.
- Check the availability of the generator if you are going to stay indoors.
- Evacuate if and when instructed, following your plan, and be patient on the roads, as there will be many people fighting for your part.
- If you are going to a local security center, be courteous and know that everyone is having a hard time, too.