Preparation

Just because it spins - doesn't mean it's Tropical

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Preseason Preparation

What is a...

Determine Your Risk

Make a Plan

Supply Kit

After The Storm

During The Storm

Seasonal Predictions

Seasonal Predictions:

Can you really predict a years worth of storms at spring time? Well, sort of. If you were building a widget at your factory, one would tally if there are enough employees, raw materials, schedules, etc. to get a general idea on the number that could be given to a customer. Same for putting on a large concert: ticket sales, security, food vendors, advertising, collecting bands, etc. Seeing what storms have to work with right now and where those conditions may go can also be analyzed in weather. While specifics may not be found, one can have at least a general idea of what may be in store. And do those general ideas ever bust? Yes: The 20xx season called for above average, yet one of the least active years.

Announcing what the general number of storms may be for the season can serve two main purposes. 1: Reminder that the hurricane season is approaching and to begin preparations and planning now, if haven't already done so. 2: Give stakeholders (businesses, emergency management groups, governments, citizens, etc.) a general idea on if it will be a busy season or not. Just keep in mind: "it only takes one" storm to change your life forever, whether a busy (like 2005 season) or low number season (1992 - Cat5 Andrew into South Florida).

Are there verification of these predictions?

Determine Your Risk:

There are several risk factors to consider for you and your property including storm surge, inland flooding, power and tree loss, wind, etc. Are you in an evacuation zone? Coastal regions typically have evacuation maps with predetermined zones. Contact your local government or emergency management for details. Is your home at risk for storm surge? You may not be able to see the water and it may have never flooded at your location before, but that doesn’t mean you're immune from storm surge. Fortunately the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has a map just for this. See the ‘National Storm Surge Hazard Maps (Planning maps)’ section under the ‘Understanding NHC Products’ FAQ to view the interactive map. Inland flooding can also be a concern and flood insurance in the US typically has a 30 day waiting period so you can’t obtain last minute when a storm threatens. FEMA flood maps allow you to type in your address to zoom to flood maps for your area here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search . Keep in mind these flood maps do change periodically, don’t account for storm surge or dam failure, and may only show the 100 or 500 year flood regions (may not include other flood scenarios just a 1,000 year floods, etc.). Are there any trees nearby that if fell could land on your home or vehicles? During a hurricane you’ll want to be sheltered away from those areas where a nearby tree could come crashing down (such as staying on the opposite side of home if safe to do so, etc.). Would you be able to survive without electricity for several days or weeks? Do you have medical equipment that requires power or needs air conditioning for health reasons? Would you be ok if emergency services (9-1-1) were unavailable or communications down during or after a storm? Hurricanes bring multiple types of hazards before, during and after their passing. Determine your risk and be prepared accordingly.

Make a Plan:

Making a plan now can save you time, money, energy, and help your mental health. The back and forth of should I leave, or should I stay, or what if it changes a little left or right, etc. many times leaves people wondering, stressing, and fretting until it’s too late and the storm has arrived. Make a plan now, start today. Turn it into a family vacation plan ready to start should a storm approach. Then when it’s time, FOLLOW IT!

Would you leave if told to evacuate? If yes, then leave if told to evacuate. Evacuations are typically based on storm surge risk. Would you leave if you could lose power? Anywhere that may receive winds of just 40mph can have scattered power outages occur across a large region of several US states as well as have tree damage. Would you leave if the storm was a Cat1 or higher? Then make that your plan. Would you leave if any named storms, even a Tropical Storm, threatened? Then make that your plan. Have animals? Mandatory evacuation orders do not change the no pet policy at hotels. Call ahead now to hotels in areas where you might evacuate to and see if they allow pets. Keep a list handy so if the time comes you’ll be ahead of the game and have a safe shelter for you and your four legged family members. Stick to your plan.

Can’t leave? Don’t have a vehicle or ability to get a hold of someone in time to come pick you and your belongings up? Check with your local government or emergency management group. There may be plans in place already to address some of these issues and get you safely out of town or to a nearby shelter.

Staying put no matter the storm? Seen it all before and think it will be just fine because it was the last 50 years? Each storm is different. Just because one storm didn’t cause flooding or other problems doesn’t mean the next one won’t. Be prepared to be without emergency services for several hours or even days. 9-1-1 emergency services will not respond once winds become too dangerous or flood waters are rising. Communications (cell, landline phone, email, etc.) can easily become unreliable during and after a tropical system. Looting may start one to three days after a large-scale Hurricane disaster. Water may have to be boiled or could be contaminated for some time. No electricity means no air conditioner. Your house may be well above where floodwaters might reach, but what about your car on ground level?

Making the decision to leave or stay can be tough sometimes. Not just due to time, energy and stress, but also financially and mentally, and home is home. Make a plan now, write it out. And stick with it once a storm approaches.

Preseason Preparation:

One can never start preparing for a hurricane too early. The perfect time to start is now. Determine your risk, make a plan, collect supplies and implement your plan when it’s time without hesitating. Having a plan in place can reduce stress and anxiety as well as keep your properly prepared before a run on stores.

Supply Kit:

We’ve all seen the long lines at grocery and home improvement stores when a Hurricane threatens the region. Most of these last minute runs on supplies can be avoided by gathering supplies well before the arrival of a storm or even before Hurricane season begins. On a budget? That’s ok! Build slowly. Add one extra item a week, or once a month or whatever can work for you. Over the course of the year, it all adds up!

-Non-perishable foods (like can goods, cereals, baby food, trail mix, ….candy ;-) )

-Water (1 Gallon per person, per day is recommended)

-Medications (don’t want to run out the week of the storm, or forget them if evacuating)

-Pet supplies (pet food, cat litter, treats, medications, etc.)

-Batteries and flashlights.

-Battery backups (cell phones only last so long, especially if everything else is out of service)

-Radio (regular or weather radios, or even a car radio)

-Organize any important papers so they are ready to grab and go if disaster approaches or strikes.

-See if your insurance provides a check up to be ready for hurricane season.

-Refrigerator thermometers that record the highest temperature reached (so know if food is bad)

-Know how to run your generator properly if you have one (Many die each year after a hurricane from carbon monoxide poisoning from generators, be safe! This is fully preventable.)

During the Storm:

cOMING SOON...

After the Storm:

Coming soon...