Hurricane Readiness - What if You Decide Not to Evacuate?
Another hurricane season is here, and like some before
, it's predicted to be an active one with quite a number of named storms, some projected to hit the US.
Though hurricanes generally come with some sort of warning, they're still a bit on the unpredictable side and usually generate a strong "should I stay or should I go" debate as you ponder the best course of safety for your family.
We'll cover some of the "stay or go" decision-making criteria for you below, but for now we'll start by saying that under certain circumstances it is possible to ride out the storm safely, if you know how to R.E.A.C.T.:
Reinforcement Have you prepared your home structurally in advance, even if it's just shutters?
Equipment Do you have all the supplies you'll need on hand, or are you waiting for the last minute?
Awareness Do you have a way to track the storm, and do you have a way for others to track you?
Cautions Are you aware of the various risks involved in staying in place in a hurricane?
Timeline You'll need to do several things as the storm approaches, and timing is a factor.
Reinforcement
Your proximity to the coast will dictate how strongly you need to reinforce your home. The farther away you are, the less impact hurricanes will usually have. However, consider two things: One, you really can't use the word "usually" with hurricanes since their strength is always surprising, and two, hurricanes generally spawn tornadoes that impact smaller areas with as much or more force. Consider the following:
- Add working storm shutters, or if you can afford them, storm windows. At the very least, if you use something like plywood to make shutters have the material at your house even before hurricane season starts and have the pieces pre-cut, labeled, and ready to mount.
- Reinforce your roof structure with additional 2x4 cross pieces in the attic held in place with structural adhesive, screws and angle brackets. If you do an internet search for the term "hurricane retrofit" you'll find numerous how-to articles with detailed instruction and photos.
- In general, do anything to your home that you'd also do to help protect the structure in an earthquake or tornado. The stronger your shelter, the more protected you are against a variety of events.
- Are you close enough to the water to worry about storm surge? Are you in a low-lying area where torrential rains could cause flooding? If so, have you prepared your home for flooding and do your hurricane plans including flooding as a component?
Equipment
By having everything you need on hand in advance you do three things. First, you save time, which is an extremely valuable asset in an emergency. Second, you're not wasting time in line at the store Third, by getting your supplies early, the grocery stores and gas stations have a chance to restock so there's more on hand for the last-minute people.
- "Equipment" includes all supplies such as food, water, medications, and other necessary consumables.
- If you can afford a gas-powered generator we highly recommend you have one. If not, you should at least go to your favorite auto supply store and get a "power inverter" for your vehicle. It'll let you run an AC appliance depending on what size you get.
- Make sure you have flashlights, batteries (for your radios too), and so forth.
Awareness
In this case, awareness is a double-edged sword. First, you'll want to remain aware of where the storm is as it heads your way, and second, you'll want family and friends to be able to keep up with you now that you've made the decision to stay put.
- Get an NOAA Weather Alert Radio. You can find them at your favorite mega-mart, electronics store, and even grocery stores during severe weather season. Get one that has Specific Alert Message Encoding or "SAME" technology. This lets you program the radio to hear only about your specific area.
- Determine which of your available radio or television stations will be monitoring the storm's progress.
- Notify an out-of-area friend or family member (who won't be affected by the hurricane) and let them know you've decided to stay put.
- Do the same with local friends and neighbors. If you've decided to stay, make an agreement to check on each other afterward and that each knows how to get in touch with the other's emergency family contact.
- For neighbor to neighbor communication consider getting a pair of FRS radios. They're inexpensive and have a surprisingly long range. These are helpful in case cell towers are down and the land-line phones don't work.
Cautions
Though this article is about staying home and riding out the storm, it's a decision we wouldn't take lightly and we urge you to consider all your options before deciding to stay. Consider the following:
- There's never a guarantee an emergency is going to be your only emergency. When riding out the storm remember that you'll be cut off from other services. The power company can't come out to turn the lights back on, the plumber can't help you when flood waters cause sewage to back up in your house, and if one of the kids injures themselves, it's doubtful you'll be able to drive to the emergency room. Give good thought to the things you'll have to endure as a major storm plows through your area and make sure you're ready to handle them.
- If you're debating your stay or go decision, don't wait too long or the evacuation routes will be massive traffic jams and/or closed, and the decision will be made for you.
- If you can't take any (or even many) of the steps we've outlined for you here, then maybe you should at least leave your house and go stay at another location better suited and equipped to protect you from the weather.
Timeline
Some things you need to do well in advance of a major storm and some things have to wait until the last minute. In any event, with something as large and dangerous as a hurricane, there are always details that need to be tended to and you have to consider your timing in the process. This covers everything from when to mount your shutters to gassing up your vehicles to recharging portable electronic devices such as your cell phones. The difference is always in the detail.
Next, you'll want to read the full version of this article, complete with the 30 "Timeline" tips, outside links for additional free information and lots more detail than we can post in this abbreviated version. For the full version visit www.disasterprep101.com and look for the "News and Articles" page.
Hurricane Readiness - What if You Decide Not to Evacuate?
By: Paul Purcell
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