HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Transcription

1 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS According to atmospheric research scientists and weather forecasters, hurricane track forecasting has improved significantly in recent years. Increased computer power has enabled scientists to develop more complex mathematical computer models for simulation of the atmosphere which has led to more accurate forecasts for potential hurricane paths. Twenty years ago the average forecast error was over 100 miles for a twenty four hour storm projection. Today, that error has been reduced to about 60 miles. Enhanced modeling has resulted in today s 5 day forecasts being as accurate as the three day forecast outlooks were back in the 1990's. Because of the improved accuracy of storm tracks and communications, we know the most likely path of a storm and how soon we can expect to be impacted by it. Hurricane intensity projections are different. The Hurricane Center reported that there has been little or no improvement in predicting how strong a storm might become or how quickly a hurricane s strength could change. This is due to the complexity of the storm s inner core and the interactions between the atmosphere and the oceans. HURRICANE PREPARATION TIME LINE: Early Summer: Develop your storm plan. Stock hurricane supply kit. Checklist of items to take with you if you have to leave. Take Before pictures of your home for insurance purposes. Find out the elevation of your home. Make sure your street address is clearly marked on your home. Hurricane WATCH Announced: This means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. Clear your yard of potential flying debris, including lawn furniture and anything that could turn into a missile. Lower the water level in the swimming pool by about one foot. Hurricane shutters should be up or windows boarded up. Gas up vehicles and check oil, coolant, batteries and tire pressure. Get CASH. ATMs and banks may not be open after a storm. Turn refrigerator to coldest setting and store water. Hurricane Warning Issued: Hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours. Gather important documents. Complete window and door protection. Evacuate if ordered to. If riding out the storm, designate a safe room. Interior bathrooms or closets on the lowest level with no windows are recommended. Charge cell phones and other rechargeable devices such as battery powered televisions. Check your supply of non-rechargeable batteries.

2 Cell phones can be operated or charged from a vehicle 12 volt battery if you have the adaptor which is available at cell phone outlets. During the Storm: Stay indoors even if it appears calm. Wait until the all clear is given. Stay away from windows even if they are shuttered. Listen to media reports for the latest information. If power is out, a battery powered NOAA weather radio is useful. After The Storm: This is the longest part of the process. Recovery can take weeks. Move slowly and cautiously as you survey the damage and clean up. Many injuries occur after the storm. Do not use public water until you are notified that it is safe. Avoid travel if possible. Do not attempt to connect a generator to house wiring. Beware of downed power lines. Do not approach downed power lines. If the line is hot, electricity can travel through soil and cause serious injury or death. The ground will be very wet after the storm which makes it an excellent conductor of electricity. Take pictures of damage and contact your insurance agent. HURRICANE WIND SCALE Category 1. Winds miles per hour. Category 2. Winds miles per hour. Category 3. Winds miles per hour. Category 4. Winds miles per hour. Category 5. Winds greater then 155 miles per hour. The following local radio stations will have emergency evacuation information during major storm conditions. FM STATIONS WBCG-FM (98.9) Punta Gorda WGCU-FM (90.1) Fort Myers WIKX-FM (92.9) Punta Gorda WINK-FM (96.9) Fort Myers WCVU-FM (104.9) Punta Gorda AM STATIONS WKII-AM (1070) Punta Gorda WINK-AM (1240) Fort Myers

3 WENG-AM (1530) Englewood WCCF-AM (1580) Punta Gorda EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR HURRICANE SEASON These are the basic items recommended to have in your hurricane emergency supply kit. Plan to have enough on hand to get you through at least three days without power. Consider your personal needs and modify the list as necessary. Water: One gallon of drinking water per person per day for at lease three days. Additional water will be needed for cooking, cleaning and sanitation. Water (non-drinking) can be stored in a bath tub or buckets. Pool water can be used to flush toilets. Food: Non-perishable ready-to-eat food such as canned foods, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars. Packaged meals that do not require refrigeration are available in supermarkets. Manual can opener and zip lock bags. Radios: Battery powered and/or hand crank AM/FM radio. NOAA weather radio and extra batteries. Radio Shack is a good source for these items. Flashlights with extra batteries. Since flashlights and radios use different battery sizes, know what sizes are needed. A supply of AAA, AA, C, D and 9 Volt batteries may be required. The NOAA Weather Radio usually takes a 9 Volt battery. Remember hearing aid batteries and motorized wheel chair batteries. Flashlights with light emitting diodes (LEDs) are common now. These lights provide good area coverage and have long battery life. They usually require AAA batteries. Analog phone. This is the older design that does not need an external power source (batteries or wall socket plug in). It plugs into the telephone jack which provides its power. Cell phone and vehicle phone charger. Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Two week supply. Keep a list of dosage amounts, doctor s names and phone numbers for each member of the household. Back up OXYGEN supply if needed. First Aid Kit with bug spray, sun screen, cortisone creme, antibiotic salve, hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medicine (imodium), Tums, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, cotton balls, thermometer, vaseline and band aids.

4 Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from Whistle to signal for help. Spare keys home, vehicle. Keys for accordion type hurricane shutters. Personal items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet tissue, feminine hygiene items, deodorant, spare glasses, reading glasses, contact lenses and cleaning solution, and non-prescription pain relievers such as Tylenol, Aleve, etc. Diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, diaper cream, infant/baby Tylenol. Pillows, blankets, towels, washcloths, paper towels. Cash (not large denominations), travelers checks and change. Without power, credit cards and ATMs don t work. Important documents or copies if necessary: Drivers License, Social Security Card, medical cards (medicare or medicaid), insurance policies including medical, bank account records, wills and trusts. Names and phone numbers for everyone in your personal support network as well as medical providers. These documents should be in a sealed waterproof portable container. Tool kit containing pliers or a wrench to turn off utilities. Heavy duty gloves (leather), heavy duty trash bags, rope, string, and buckets. Cordless drill with charged batteries. Local and state maps. Pet food and extra water for your pet. Sleeping bag or warm blankets for each person. Several complete changes of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, gardening gloves, hat and sturdy shoes. This is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommendation: Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted, nine parts of water to one part bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. NOTE: Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners for disinfecting drinking water. Fire Extinguisher. Matches in waterproof container. Butane cigarette lighters or grill lighters. Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils and paper towels

5 Paper and pencils, pens. Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children. Gasoline for a generator. Keep your vehicles full of gasoline and have booster cables for vehicle batteries. Dust Mask to help filter contaminated air. Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal doors and windows and to shelter in place if needed. Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. Outdoor solar lights (light emitting diodes) used in landscaping make good indoor night lights. These can be recharged during daylight on the lanai. Spare propane tank for gas grill. Many grills have a side burner which can be used for cooking. Small cooking (camping) stove and fuel. Do NOT use this indoors. Burning fuel produces carbon monoxide which is fatal in an enclosed space. Cook on the lanai with the stove or gas grill. Coolers and ice.