Here Comes Hurricane Season
It’s the start of hurricane season. How well do you know hurricanes and how to prepare for them? Hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical cyclones are the same thing, but have different names depending on where they occur. Hurricanes usually strike the Caribbean and Atlantic Coastline of North America. However, hurricanes can and do occur in the Pacific Ocean as well. Hurricanes are strong storms. They can be extremely powerful and destructive. Hurricanes bring with them the risk of flooding, including storm surges; high wind events; and tornadoes.
Hurricane Risks
A storm surge is an unusually significant rise of water caused by the wind and water brought by a storm. Storm surges often result in the greatest damage and loss of life along the coast. Storm surges can travel inland several miles, usually following rivers, bays, and estuaries.
The winds, rain, and storm surge can cause rip currents, beach erosion, and damage to structures and other property from a significant distance away.
Further inland, flooding from heavy rainfall causes more deaths. Storm surges usually cause more deaths than flooding, however. Hurricane induced flooding can occur hundreds of miles inland and persist for several days.
Tropical storms and tropical depressions are similar storms, and carry similar dangers, but they are not as strong as hurricanes.
Hurricane season, when most hurricanes occur, is from June 1 to November 30 for North America.
Preparing For Hurricane Season
Many of the preparedness action items for a hurricane are the same as for most other potential emergencies and disasters. You should have a supply of food to last at least one month and water for at least two weeks. Your family should have a preparedness plan identifying how you will react in case of a hurricane and where you will relocate to if necessary. Be sure to include any pets or livestock in your plans. You can download an app for your cell phone that will tell you the weather and give you NOAA weather broadcasts, but you should still have a battery powered and/or hand crank emergency radio in case your cell phone is unavailable or the battery dies.
The LLPHP recommends having storm shutters installed. Another option is to make sure you have one-half inch marine plywood pre-cut to fit your doors and windows. If you plan ahead, you won’t have to rush to try to get these items when others are doing so. LLPHP recommends always filling up when your gas tank gets below half a tank, and keeping extra fuel on hand.
Have a place set aside to store outside items like garbage cans, lawn furniture, toys, garden tools, etc. so they aren’t blown around by high winds. You should also make sure your gutters and down-spouts are clear to prevent water backup, flooding, or pressure on the awnings, gutters, and down-spouts.
Flood insurance can be important to have after a hurricane. Remember, flood insurance is a separate policy from your regular homeowners or renters insurance. There is usually a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance policies before they take effect, so if you need a flood insurance policy, plan ahead and get it as soon as possible.
Hurricane Response
When a hurricane is projected to hit your area, make sure your storm shutters are installed and closed. Listen to or watch weather and news coverage for the latest information and updates on the storm. Store or secure any items that are outside that could be blown around by the wind.
If you think you may need water supplies beyond what you have on hand, you can fill plastic bottles, bathtubs, sinks, and other containers to supplement you water supply. If you have more than one story in your home and you’re able to do so, move furniture, valuables, electronics, etc. to a higher floor.
To protect your home as much as possible, you should turn off the electricity, water, and natural gas if you are told to do so by authorities or you need to evacuate. Remember to have a professional turn your natural gas back on. In case of a power surge when power returns after an outage, you should unplug every electrical item you can and turn off any you can’t.
While a hurricane is happening, stay inside. Do not go outside unless you have to leave your home because of health and safety. If you must be outside, avoid beaches, rivers, and any floodwaters. Remember floodwaters can be dangerous for several reasons. Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, insects, viruses, or bacteria. Floodwaters are also dangerous to try to walk or move through. Water only six inches deep can knock a person over. Floodwaters only about two feet deep can float and carry away a car. Stay out of areas likely to flood such as canyons, underpasses, washes, etc. If you are caught in an area experiencing flooding you should get to high ground immediately.
If you would like help planning for hurricane season for your family or business, please email LLPHP at contact@llphp.org.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
If you would like to support the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project, please consider contributing to LLPHP via GoFundMe
