Not every part of the world is prone to hurricanes, although their effect is sometimes felt farther than where they first started. Hurricanes are most common in the Deep South and close to the Gulf Coast. The people who live in these hurricane-prone areas have different reasons for doing so and the best way to weather the hurricane season is to prepare well for it and to ensure that they follow all the safety procedures in place.
June 1st marks the beginning of the hurricane season and November 30th marks the end. Hurricanes have different severity and in most cases, all it takes is one storm to completely change lives. Despite the frequency of hurricanes and the fact that the magnitude of each is often predicted, there are people who are adamant to leave the area. The only way to help these people is just to caution them on what to do in case of a hurricane. In light of the many hurricanes that have occurred throughout history, and the fact that there are people who have lived through them, I have to put together a short list of how to stay safe during a Hurricane.
Before the Hurricane
Be alert and listen to the weather reports and how the experts project the path of the hurricane. Once you have all the necessary information concerning the anticipated hurricane, you need to decide what is best for you. Either way, should you decide to leave or stay. You need to keep safe because the weather can be very predictable. If you decide not to stay, follow the way which is contrary to the path of the projected storm. You can decide to move to higher ground or go inland which can be both safe options depending on your situation. You may also decide to use the evacuation services offered by the state. It is important to have a plan for any potential crisis you may face and hurricanes definitely fall in the crisis category. Have an emergency bag and ensure it can hold necessities that will sustain you for several days. One of the most important things you should make sure you have is a place to evacuate out of the area where you should stay until your home is declared safe to return to.
During the Hurricane
Sometimes a storm veers out of control and what was earlier predicated as a mild storm becomes a full-blown hurricane. In these cases, people who live in the area don’t have enough time to evacuate and needs to take quick actions. The steps to take are:
- Ensure you can get the emergency alerts
Make sure you know and note every change that takes place during the storm. You should be aware of what the experts are advising people to do by checking the National Hurricane Center website for any advisories and warnings. Either the storm is not too strong and people can still evacuate the area or it’s safer to stay put. It is, however, possible to get the alerts without signing up if your phone is updated. It is important that your family also gets these alerts in case you are not together when the storm escalates.
- You should distinguish between the different alerts given by the national weather service
There is a risk of acting too fast or too slow when you don’t understand the information relayed by the National weather service. There are three different alerts given for three different stages of the storm progression.
- Advisory which is given when the weather service expects the storm to cause some distraction but not threaten life.
- Watch alert is sent out when a hurricane is expected to occur within 2 days. When this happens, it’s advisable to check that you have all the necessary emergency supplies and a bag in case you need to leave or stay put.
- Warning alert is sent out when it expects a hurricane sooner than 48 hours. Hurricanes are expected to strike within 36 hours for a warning alert to be sent out. In such a case, you should be ready for anything and stay very alert.
- Get ready to evacuate
In most cases, people are told to evacuate the area. You should be ready to leave at the moment the need arises to do so. You need to prepare to leave by:
- Making a plan: You need to have a way to get out of the area safely. Your state normally has a plan you can follow or you can adjust it to better suit you. Either way, get a plan or make one.
- Having a safe haven: You should have an emergency shelter where you can easily move to and in a safe manner. Your family and friends should also know where it is. Your state should also provide emergency shelters for people living in hurricane-prone areas.
- Bug-out-bag: Having your emergency bag within your line of sight so that you don’t forget it when you leave. Ensure it has the necessities that will last you for several days.
- Prepare your home to face nature
Ensure that your doors are reinforced and the windows are protected. Cover all the windows, skylights and sliding glass doors. Taping your windows is however not advisable since it is not really effective and it can be dangerous if the glass breaks. You should also prepare your house in case there are floods. You need to clean debris from your gutters and drains. You should also elevate your heating system and don’t keep any valuables items in the basement.
- In case you decide to stay put
If you have a strong root cellar or a bunker, you are lucky. Otherwise, ensure you keep away from the windows and doors. Stay on higher ground in case of flooding and fill your tub with water as a backup. You should also lie under the table or other firm objects and have a pillow or mattress if the storm becomes violent.
