Hurricane Tracking Blog

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions (with sustained winds of 74 mph (65 knots, 118 km/h) or higher) are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds (conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous). Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continues, even though the winds may have subsided below hurricane intensity.

Are you truly ready/prepared if a hurricane (or major tropical storm) were to strike now. Here’s our extended hurricane checklist:

• Garbage bags
• Lanterns
• Rain coats
• Batteries
• Machete
• Water storage containers
• Generator (if within budget)
• Chain saw
• Plywood
• Hammer and nails
• Tarpaulin
• Heavy duty gloves
• Emergency gas
• Tape
• Buckets
• Hurricane shutters
• Fire extinguishers
• Plastic sheeting
• Coolers and storage boxes

The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season officially started on June 1. Here’s our suggested hurricane preparation checklist (better to be safe than sorry):

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable foods (especially canned items with a non-electric can opener)
• First aid kit
• Flash light(s) and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio
• Candles (or kerosene lamp) and matches
• Utility knife

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.