Hurricane Tracking Blog

Below are a few tips and suggested safe practices for the handling of petroleum products before, during and after a hurricane.

1. Get your petroleum products strictly from established (legal) filling stations, where stringent fire safety standards are met.
2. Never store more than one gallon of kerosene, gasoline or diesel oil in your home.
3. If you must store petroleum products, ensure that it is kept in a tightly closed metal container, and stored in a cool dry place outside your home.
4. Check your cooking gas cylinder for leaks (liquid petroleum gas smells faintly like rotting eggs), and take steps to correct any leaks immediately.

Stay safe, and take extra care when handling petroleum products during hurricanes and other emergency situations.

The 2010 Hurricane Season in the Atlantic Ocean will begin on June 1, 2010, and end on November 30, 2010. If you live in an area that sees hurricane or tropical storm activity from time to time during the regular hurricane season, you should start to prepare now, in order to mitigate the effects of storms that may be coming your way.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the 2010 hurricane season:

1. Preparations must be made to discuss things at all levels - in homes, offices, churches, social clubs, private sector organizations and elsewhere
2. Secure important documents - drivers licenses, IDs, marriage and birth certificates and other important documents should be stored in a waterproof container or plastic bag. They should also be placed in a location where you can quickly “grab and run”.
3. Check your insurance coverage - make sure that you are insurance payments are current and that whatever insurance coverage you have is adequate.
4. Prepare a survival kit with the following items - drinking water and food (enough to last for 3 to 7 days), non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices, special foods for infants or the elderly, snacks, non-electric can opener, cooking tools, paper plates and plastic utensils, Sheets and pillows, clothing, toiletries, flashlight, candles, batteries, battery-operated radio, prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines (where required) and a First-Aid Kit

Taking a few steps to prepare today could help you in the unfortunate event of a hurricane or tropical storm. Don’t get caught unprepared.

This is a quick hurricane checklist. During a hurricane:

• If you must use candles, do not leave them unattended - keep them in safe holders and away from flammable material such as curtains, paper and wood.
• In case of heavy winds and severe electrical lightning, turn off and unplug electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.
• If you are using a portable generator, plug appliances into the generator, using extension cords if necessary. For your safety, place the portable generator outside the house so that it (the generator) gets proper ventilation. Always turn it off when refueling.

If you are in an advanced stage of pregnancy (seven to nine months), when a hurricane threatens there are certain precautions you should take. During an emergency or disaster, many pregnant women go into labor. This has happened many times in the past, particularly during extremely dangerous storms. Here are some general precautions:

• Be sure to have necessities for the birth of the baby and for yourself in a waterproof bag or plastic. Take them with you wherever you go.
• If you live alone, get a friend or relative to stay with you or move to one of their homes before the hurricane begins.
• If you live in an area that is likely to be affected by a storm surge or flooding, plan to move to a safer area.
• If your house does not offer adequate protection, leave for one that is safer.
• If you live very far from the hospital or nursing home where you are to be delivered, arrange to stay with a friend or relative who lives closer.
• Keep an extra supply of any special medication you will need.
• If possible, visit your doctor or midwife before the hurricane strikes to ensure that your baby and yourself are fine.
• Be sure to pack your medical insurance card with your and the baby’s things. You may need it of you have to go to a hospital where you are required to pay.
• Keep calm. This very important for you and your baby. Worry and anxiety can be harmful to you both.

To better understand the type of damage you may experience, hurricanes are categorized on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale based on their intensity. The scale starts at 1, which is a minimal hurricane, and 5 being the strongest.

CATEGORY 1
Wind speed: 119-153 km/h 974-95 mph)
Damage potential: Minimal damage primarily to shrubbery, trees and foliage; some coastal flooding and possible minor damage to boats.

CATEGORY 2
Wind speed: 154-177 km/h (96-110 mph)
Damage potential: Moderate damage to trees; some roof, window and door damage; coastal flooding requiring evacuation; damage to boats.

CATEGORY 3
Wind speed: 178-209 km/h (111-130 mph)
Damage potential: Extensive damage experienced with large trees blown down; structural damage to small buildings, serious coastal flooding; evacuation necessary; coastal structures damaged and destroyed.

CATEGORY 4
Wind speed: 210-249 km/h (155 mph)
Damage potential: Extreme damage experienced; extensive destruction of trees and buildings, large-scale flooding, major damage to structures, and possible evacuation from low ground within about 16 km of shore.

CATEGORY 5
Wind speed: 250 km/h (> 156 mph)
Damage potential: Catastrophic; trees down, extensive building damage; coastal area below 3m flooded up to 10 km inland, major damage to coastal structures, beaches eroded and massive evacuation near coast.