Are You Ready to Weather the Storm?

Hurricane season is here this 2008. Are you ready? Chances are you’re not, like millions of others. Living in a hurricane area close to the Texas coast makes everyone here very aware of preparedness. So, are you ready?

What should be done to be as ready as you can be? Hurricanes are not like tornadoes that can come so swiftly and give little or no warning. Weather people tell us for days that the hurricane is coming, but they are not sure of the exact point of landing until sometimes hours before it hits land. Anticipation of the storm’s arrival can give plenty of time to do those last minute things to assure you are as ready as you can be, if you choose to ride out the storm. You need to be ready before, during and after the hurricane to maintain the safety of your family and your property.

Prior to hurricane season, trim your trees, especially those close to your house, and clear out your gutters. If you have any ditches around your house, be sure they are cleaned out and able to carry water away from your house. Any loose furniture or items on your patio, in the pool area, or on your porch should be brought inside. Those same items can become lethal projectiles during the storm. Find out if your home is in a flood zone.

Have a family plan of evacuation, if authorities order it. Have a “grab bag” ready with any important papers or prescription medications to grab quickly, if the need arises that you need to move out quickly. Mobile home dwellers should plan to move to a shelter, as they offer little to no protection against the strong winds of a hurricane. Local authorities can give you information on shelters near you, so your family can plan in advance for a possible need to move to safer surroundings. Don’t forget your pets. Plan where you will take them and have food and medications ready to take with them.

If you decide to stay in your home, plan in advance for alternative places for your family to go, should there be damage due to wind or high waters. Are there rooms in your home or in your neighborhood that could protect you from rising waters or high winds? Boarding up windows will protect your home from flying objects, so having plywood stored in your garage can save misery in line at the last minute. By the way, save your energy by not taping your windows. Tape does little good and certainly won’t protect you from flying objects.

Stock up on supplies, such as a battery-powered radio, so you can keep abreast of the latest storm information, if electric power is lost. Have a flashlight or several, along with plenty of batteries; matches; candles, lanterns, or oil lamps; and have some cash in hand. Remember, ATM’s won’t work, if the electricity is out.

Things to stock up on closer to the storm’s arrival will be water and non-perishable items that will last for up to 72 hours and sometimes even longer. Keep items that don’t need refrigeration and remember a can opener that is not electric. Nothing is more frustrating than having a can of tuna with no way to open it! Fill up your bathtub and other large containers with water to be sure you have enough water for the family.

Riding out the storm means keeping your family away from windows and discussing what safety precautions each person can take. For instance, getting under a table to keep from being cut by glass or moving to a closet should be suggested to everyone. Moving to interior rooms for safety should be discussed. A word of warning should be given for everyone to stay indoors until the storm is over. A reminder that the eye of the storm brings calm, which might fool people into thinking the storm is finished. Actually, it is only half over. The winds will change directions when the eye has passed and come back with a vengeance, so don’t be fooled.

Lastly, safety is still a watchword after the storm is over. Flood waters can bring snakes and other critters, so precautions should be followed. Use a stick to poke through debris. Be mindful of downed power lines and other fallen debris. Do not touch downed utility lines, even if they look “dead”. Caution your children to stay away from those lines, as well, and report them to your electric company.

Waiting until the last minute brings about its own set of problems, so get busy… and get ready!