Hot Topic: Hurricane Readiness
The 2009 hurricane season has begun and that means that now is the time to prepare. Georgia's coastal counties have been lucky in recent years and avoided direct hits from storms in the Atlantic basin. But experts agree that it's a matter of when, not if, a major storm will come our way. When it does, will you be ready?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms in 2009, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). And while it's early in this year's hurricane season, there's no time like the present to make sure that you and your family are prepared.
First, make a plan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests taking the following steps in preparation for a hurricane watch or warning:
• Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
• Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
• Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it.
• Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc.
Also, if a storm is heading our way, expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. The National Weather Service will issue a hurricane watch when there is a threat to coastal areas of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:
• Fill your automobile's gas tank.
• If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
• Fill your clean water containers.
• Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
• Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
• Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.
• Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.
• Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
• Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.
Residents in threatened areas should heed evacuation warnings from emergency management agencies. Should you be required to evacuate, remember to:
• Take only essential items with you.
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
• Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.
• Make sure your automobile's emergency kit is ready. Include items such as non-perishable food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
• Follow the designated evacuation routes--others may be blocked--and expect heavy traffic.
It's also a good idea to make sure you have necessary supplies in the event of any emergency, including a hurricane:
• Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person).
• A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food.
• A first aid kit and manual.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
• Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
• Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
• Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
• Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
• Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
• Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
Severe weather can strike at anytime. Putting a plan in place now will only help you and your family in the long run.
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