How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Posted by Joel. Filed under: Hurricane Storm Help
A hurricane is a deadly, destructive force of nature. In the end, we can predict them, track them, and evacuate when they get too close, but we simply cannot control them. What we can do, however, is prepare for them, using the methods outlined in this article and the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Preparedness web site. You don’t have to be afraid of hurricanes; you just have to prepare for them properly.
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a hurricane is to know your area. What sort of place do you live in? Is it in a low lying area, protected from the worst of the wind but with a high threat of flooding? Or is it at the top of a hill, where you almost certainly won’t get flooded, but the danger from wind is much greater? Is it in a dense metropolitan area where traffic will be a problem should you try to evacuate? What is the best way out of the area should you need to evacuate? What roads are most likely to be closed down or flooded?
If you live on higher ground, it is unlikely that you will be ordered to evacuate. But this only makes preparation all the more essential. Bottled water is your friend during a hurricane; water is the most important part of hurricane preparation. Assume you’ll need one gallon per person per day for two weeks; plus water for things like flushing the toilet, washing your hands and other little household conveniences.
A disaster supply kit should be part of your home anyway, but it becomes especially important to check it when a hurricane is imminent. Does your flashlight have new batteries in it? Do you have spare batteries in case you need them? Is your first aid kit full? What about canned foods? Have any of them passed their expiration date? Check your disaster supply kit (you can find a complete list of what should go into a disaster supply kit at the web site of the National Hurricane Center) before every hurricane. Actually, check it three or four times a year just to be on the safe side. The only predictable thing about disasters is their unpredictability!
Make sure that all your doors are solid and secured, also that all of your windows are taped or boarded up. Taping your windows will not keep them from breaking if flying objects smash into them, but it may keep shards of glass from flying everywhere. Boarding up your windows will usually keep them from breaking, but it’s hard to do at the very last minute. If you have time, board up your windows; if not, tape is better than nothing and may at least keep you safe from flying glass.
Proper preparation saves lives. We may not be able to control hurricanes, but we can, to a certain extent, control our surroundings. We can stay on top of things like food, water and emergency kits. We can protect our homes to the best of our ability. In short, we can be prepared.
A word of warning, nothing I have said in this article in any way should justify ignoring an evacuation order! If your local government and weather bureau tells you to get out, then get out immediately. These suggestions are only meant to keep your house safer should you leave and to keep you safer should you be unable to evacuate or should you lose power even though the hurricane does not pass directly over you. Under no circumstances should they be considered to justify not evacuating when evacuation is recommended.