Hurricane Awareness
Advance
Preparation is the Key to Saving Lives and Property
When a hurricane strikes...
Increased population and more coastal development create a need for
better awareness and preparation during the hurricane season, which
stretches from June through November.
Hurricanes bring wind, rain and exaggerated tidal surge. Flooding
often results.
Wind gusts have topped 160 mph in some hurricanes, which are often
accompanies by severe tornadoes. Such tornadoes are among the worst
threats to life and destroyers of property. During Hurricane Beulah,
for example, a record 115 tornadoes were spawned during a five-day
period. Sixty-seven of these tornadoes occurred in a single day.
A hurricane may spend much of its energy hitting the shoreline. The
storm surge causes most life and property damage.
Storm surge development takes place over deep water, where the drop
in barometric pressure in the storm center causes the sea to bulge.
A second action develops as hurricane winds sweep across the sea
surface. This causes a swirling movement of the surface water which
gradually goes down about 50 fathoms (300 feet).
The maximum swirl moves to the right of the hurricane's eye (track),
where wind speeds are highest. There is no change in sea level due
to this swirling motion so long as the water remains deeper than
50 fathoms.
As the hurricane approaches land, the swirling water mass scrapes
bottom, tries to spread in all directions, and begins to pile up.
Peak surge heights are seen at the shoreline about the time the hurricane
center reaches land.
The maximum water swirl occurs 10-20 miles to the right of the storm
track, near the point of maximum wind speeds. Thus, the greatest
danger from both wind and surge usually is about 15 miles right of
the track.
The surge may lift the ocean 15 feet or more at the coastline.
Powerful currents may erode the beach and move the shoreline several
hundred feet inland.
Where barrier islands exist, the storm surge usually cuts channels
completely through the islands.
Defenses against storm surge are few. Sea walls and strongly constructed
buildings offer some protection, but they are not invincible.
Construction near water should be on deep pile foundations to survive
a major hurricane. Many homes built on slab foundations have been
destroyed, whereas others nearby on pilings have survived. Building
near the shore in an area of rapid erosion is asking for trouble.
Preparing for a major disaster on the coast requires planning and
action by all involved. It must include careful preparation by officials
of how, when and where to move people under constantly changing conditions.
Some form of coastal land use management to reduce exposure of lives
and property is needed.
Hurricane Survival
Checklist
This material is provided as a public service. Its purpose
is to increase hurricane awareness. The key to survival is advance
preparation.
Before A Hurricane, You Should Know:
Elevation of your home above sea level -
Get this information from city or county officials. Your
nearest Weather Service
office can
supply flood-stage data for area streams and bays.
Maximum storm surge which might occur - Information
about the potential for inland flooding and storm surge is available
from the nearest
Weather Service office.
Route to safety if you have to leave - Plan your escape
route early. Check with city or county officials for low points
and
flooding
history of your route.
Location of nearest official shelter - The Red Cross
can locate the shelter nearest your home and explain what you
should bring
with
you.
How safe your home is - Near the seashore, plan to relocate
during a hurricane emergency unless you live in a high-rise
above the
third-floor level. If you live in a mobile home, always plan
to relocate.
The inventory of your property - A complete inventory
of personal property will help in obtaining insurance settlements
and/or
tax deductions for losses. Inventory checklists can be obtained
from
many sources, including your insurance representative. Don't
trust your memory. List descriptions and take pictures. Store
these and
other important insurance papers in waterproof containers
or in your safety deposit box.
What your insurance will cover - Review your insurance
policies to avoid misunderstanding later. Take advantage of flood
insurance.
Separate policies are needed for protection against wind
and water damage, which people frequently don't realize until
too
late.
Inventory of needed supplies - Before the hurricane season,
you should review plans to protect your property. Purchase
plywood
for boarding
up windows. Obtain batteries, canned goods and other items.
Advance purchase of these materials is advisable, as supplies
may be
difficult to purchase when a hurricane approaches.
Important: Do not wait until a hurricane
is near shore. When a storm is heading toward shore, officials
are too busy preparing
for the
emergency and won't be able to respond to individual requests,
and insurance can't be obtained at that time.
When A Watch
Is Issued, Check Supplies
Transistor radio with fresh batteries - A radio will be your
most useful information source. Have enough batteries to last
several
days. There may be no electricity.
Flashlights, candles or lamps, matches - Store matches in waterproof
container. Have lantern fuel for several days. Know how to
use the lamp safely.
Full tank of gasoline - Never let your vehicle gas tank be
less than half full during hurricane season; fill up as soon
as a
hurricane watch is posted. Remember: when there is no electricity,
gas pumps
won't work.
Canned goods and nonperishable foods - Store packaged foods
which can be prepared without cooking and need no refrigeration.
There
may be no electricity or gas.
Containers for drinking water - Have clean, air-tight containers
to store sufficient drinking water for several days. The city
supply will probably be interrupted or contaminated.
Materials for protecting glass openings - Have shutters or
lumber for protecting large windows and doors and masking tape
for use
on small windows.
Materials for emergency repairs - Your insurance policy may
cover cost of materials used in temporary repairs, so keep
all receipts.
These will also be helpful for computing income tax deductions.
When A Warning Is Issued, Act Promptly
Listen constantly to radio or TV - Keep a log of the hurricane's
position, intensity and expected landfall. Discount rumors.
Use telephone only when necessary.
If you live in a mobile home - Check tie-downs and leave
immediately for a safer place.
Prepare for high winds - Brace your garage door. Lower antennas.
Be prepared to make repairs.
Anchor objects outside - Garbage cans, awnings, loose garden
tools, toys and other objects can be deadly missiles. Anchor
securely
or bring indoors.
Protect windows and other glass - Board up or shutter large
windows securely. Tape exposed glass to reduce shattering.
Draw drapes
across windows and doors to protect against flying glass
if shattering does
occur.
Move boats on trailers close to house - Fill boats with water
to weight them down. Lash securely to trailer and use tie-downs
to
anchor trailer to the ground or house.
Check mooring lines of boats in water; then leave them
Store valuables and personal papers - Put irreplaceable documents
in waterproof containers and store in highest possible spot.
Prepare for tornadoes and floods - Tornadoes and flash floods
are the worst killers associated with a hurricane. In a tornado
warning,
seek inside shelter below ground level. If outside, move
away at right angles from tornado; if escape is impossible,
lie
flat in
a ditch or low spot. The surge of ocean water plus flash
flooding of
streams and rivers due to torrential rains combine to make
drowning the greatest cause of hurricane deaths.
If Your Remain At Home:
Stay indoors - Don't go out in brief calm during passage
of the eye of the storm. The lull sometimes ends suddenly
as winds
return
from
the opposite direction. Winds can increase in seconds to
hurricane force of 74 mph or more.
Protect property - Without taking any unnecessary risks,
protect your property from damage. Temporary repairs can
reduce your
losses.
Stay away from windows and glass doors - Move furniture away
from exposed doors and windows.
Stay on leeward or downwind side of house -
As wind direction changes, move to another room. If your
home has an "inside" room,
stay there during the height of the hurricane.
Keep a continuous communications watch - Keep radio or television
tuned for information from official sources. Unexpected changes
can sometimes call for last-minute relocations.
Remain calm - Your ability to meet emergencies will help
others.
If You Must Relocate:
Be certain there is a safe refuge to accommodate you - leave
early, in daylight if possible - Dangerous winds and tides
may arrive
three to five hours before the hurricane.
Don't travel farther than necessary - Roads may be jammed.
A stranded auto may become a coffin.
Lock windows and doors - Check to see that you have done
everything to protect your property from damage and loss.
Carry along survival supplies - first-aid kit, canned or
dried provisions, can opener, spoons, etc., bottled water,
extra
family medication,
spare eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries, if required.
Keep important papers with you at all times - driver's license
and other identification, insurance policies, property inventory,
medic-alert
or device to convey special medical information
Take warm , protective clothing
After The Hurricane, Dangers Remain:
Beware of outdoor hazards -
Watch out for loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately
to proper authority.
Many
lives are lost by electrocution.
Walk or drive cautiously - Debris-filled streets are
dangerous. Snakes and poisonous insects will be a hazard.
Washouts
may weaken road
and bridge structures, and they could collapse under
vehicle weight.
Guard against spoiled food - Food may spoil if refrigerator
power is off to more than a few hours. Freezers will
keep food several
days if doors are not opened after power failure, but
do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.
Do not use water until safe - Use your emergency supply
or boil water before drinking until you receive official
word
that the
water is
safe. Report broken sewer or water mains to proper authority.
Take extra precautions to prevent fire - Lowered water
pressure in city mains and the interruption of other
services may
make firefighting extremely difficult after a hurricane.
Now, The Cleanup:
Notify your insurance representative -
Insurance representatives will be on the scene immediately
following
a major disaster to speed
up the handling of claims.
Notify your insurance representative of
any losses - and leave word where you can be contacted.
Take steps to protect property - Make temporary repairs
to protect property from further damage or looting. Use
only reputable contractors
(sometimes in the chaotic days following a disaster,
unscrupulous operators will prey on the unsuspecting); check
the Better
Business Bureau. Keep all receipts for materials used.
Be patient - Hardship cases will be settled
first by insurance representatives. Don't assume your
settlement will
be the same as your neighbor's.
Policy forms differ and storm damage is often erratic.
In a major catastrophe, the insurance industry will have
emergency
offices
and extra man-power to expedite claim settlements and
to speed
recovery.
It takes a team effort - Responsibility for the cleanup
falls to numerous local, state and federal agencies.
A local emergency
management
coordinator (the mayor, county judge or the designated
representative) will be on hand to help residents in
this effort.
» View Our Hurricane Tracking Page
|
|
