Hurricane Tracking Blog

With there always being the possibility of a hurricane during the on-going season, here are six must-have hurricane survival kits for every household:

Survival Kit 1: Water

• Store water in plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as glass bottles
• Store one gallon of water per person, per day
• Keep at least a seven-day supply of water for each person in the household. Do not forget water for your pets if you have any. There are also members of your family.

Survival Kit 2: Food

• Store at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation of cooking and little or no water. These types of foods include: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables; Canned juices; Crackers; Jams

Survival Kit 3: First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit should include:

• Adhesive bandages in all sizes
• Sterile gauze pads
• A small pair of scissors
• Needle and thread
• Assorted safety pins
• A supply of prescription medication, if you are taking any
• A supply of non-prescription medications such as over-the-counter painkillers
• Alcohol and cotton

Survival kit 4: Tools & Supplies

• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Candles
• Lanterns (Home Sweet Home lamps)
• Flashlight, one per person, with extra batteries for each
• Cash
• Can opener
• Utility knife
• Plastic sheeting to protect valuable documents, etc.

Survival Kit 5: Sanitation

• Toilet paper
• Soap
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene products
• Plastic bucket with a tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household bleach

Survival Kit 6: Clothing & Bedding

• Include at least three complete change of clothing and footwear per person
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular hurricane terms that you should know:

1. Tropical Storm
   An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation and top winds of 63 kph (39 mph) to 118 kph (74 mph).
2. Hurricane Watch
   Hurricane conditions possible within 36 hours.
3. Hurricane Warning
   Hurricane conditions expected within 24 hours.
4. Hurricane
   An intense tropical weather system well-defined circulation and wind speeds of 118 kph (74 mph) or higher.
   Hurricane wind speeds:
   - Category One: winds 74-95 mph
   - Category Two: winds 96-110 mph
   - Category Three: winds 111-130 mph
   - Category Four: winds 131-155 mph
   - Category Five: winds 156 mph upwards

Here are a few tips on how to store water and food for a hurricane or other significant disaster:

• Store enough water to last two weeks for each person in your household. A normal active person requires a minimum of one litre of water per day for drinking and food preparation.
• Label the containers with the current date and renew your drinking supply each month.
• Store emergency food in waterproof containers.
• Arrange items so that those stored first will be used first.
• Observe expiration dates on packaged foods.
• Wrap bread, cookies, crackers, and dry goods in plastic bags and store in airtight containers.
• Your storage area should be dry, cool and free from contamination by insects, poisons and other chemicals.
• Water should be stored in clean, well-covered containers.

Good luck, and stay safe for the hurricane season!

Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here are some useful hurricane preparation tips.

1) DON’T WAIT

Some important things to do before a hurricane reaches where you are:

• Look over your insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage.

• Check the storm surge history and elevation of your area.

• Make an inventory of your possessions.

• Photograph your house and all the rooms inside for insurance purposes.

• Make sure roofing is properly fastened and secure – make all the necessary repairs.

• Obtain lumber, plywood, and concrete nails for battening up.

• Know your evacuation route.

• Organize a place to meet with your family should you become separated during the storm.

• Clear your yard and drains of debris.

• Prune tree limbs that are close to your house. They can cause damage to your home or utility wires during a storm.

• Find a place to move your boat in an emergency.

• If your home is at risk, plan in advance where you will stay. Call the community / town / city disaster coordinator for the location of the nearest shelter.

• If you need transportation to a public shelter due to special needs – such as age, physical disability, or mental disorder, register in advance with the nearest disaster preparedness office.

2) THE HURRICANE LOOMS

What To Do If A Hurricane WATCH Is Issued

• Listen to weather updates.

• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools.

• Close all windows and doors. Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.

• Elevate furniture or relocate them to higher floor to protect from flooding.

• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.

What To Do If A Hurricane WARNING Is Issued

• Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.

• Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors.

• Obey evacuation order, if issued.

• Park your car in a place that will be safest from falling trees and utility poles.

• If you are in a high-rise, know the location of the nearest stairway. Don’t use the elevator.

• Batten down windows and doors with shutters or lumber. Wedge sliding glass doors with a bar.

• Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest level. Freeze water in plastic containers.

• Sanitize bathtubs and fill with water.

• Wrap important papers (passports, birth certificates, etc.) in plastic or in waterproof containers and store in a safe room.

3) HURRICANE EVACUATION

Storm Surge Evacuation Tips

• Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location.

• Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route.

• Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside of the vulnerable area.

• Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information.

• Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up all doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.

• Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.

• Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.

• If your family evacuation plan includes a boat or trailer, leave early.

• If you are ordered by local officials to evacuate, do so as quickly as possible. Don’t delay.

• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station.

4) GOING TO A STORM SHELTER

• Check with disaster coordinator for available shelters in your area.

• Find out about adequate amenities/facilities at shelter ahead of time.

• Carry enough food and water for three days. Don’t expect to be fed by emergency crew.

• Take with you medication, first-aid kit and change of clothes.

• Wear comfortable footwear such as sneakers or water boots if flooding is likely.

• Also take blanket, pillow and sleeping bag.

5) FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

• Assign roles/responsibilities for hurricane preparedness and evacuation to each member of the household long before actual storm

• Establish an evacuation plan and map out exit strategy and route.

• Review emergency plans monthly.

• Ensure all doors and windows are properly secured to make break-ins difficult.

• Alert parish disaster coordinator and police when evacuating premises.

• Place furniture on raised platform, e.g. building blocks, to prevent flood damage.

• If not carrying all important documents, such as passports and ID cards, lock them in a watertight container.

6) DISASTER SUPPLIES

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and ready to eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna, sardines, tinned sausage, crackers and canned fruit

• Manual can opener

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Medication

• Important documents, including passports, birth certificates, insurance policies

• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members

• Change of clothes for everyone

• Emergency tools

• Extra set of home and car keys

• Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids

• Matches, candles and hurricane lamps

• Bleach and other cleansers

• Tissue, soap, sanitary napkins

• Disposable cups, plates and utensils

• Large plastic trash bags

• Containers for water storage

• Coal or oil stove, grill

• Portable cooler

• 100 feet rope

• Tape

• Blankets and towels

• Mosquito repellent

• Tarpaulin

Pre-Season Preparedness:

• Make plans for protection of plant and equipment.
• Identify essential employees or safety wardens on each floor.
• Develop procedure and policies fro pre-season, hurricane watch, hurricane warning.
• Identify and protect vital records.
• Review insurance policies.
• Determine types and amount of emergency supplies needed: battery-operated radio, one flashlight per person, extra batteries, first-aid kit, emergency tool kit, stocks of food and water supplies.
• Compile an emergency contact list.
• Identify and back-up vital records.
• Prepare and check facilities.
• Stock up on emergency supplies.
• Provide staff with hurricane preparedness information.

During a Hurricane Watch

• Secure all doors, windows and other openings against wind and water. Tie down or bring indoors any object which may be blown about by the hurricane. Cover windows with shutters or board.
• If a room is to be occupied during the hurricane, it must be properly secured with ply board or hurricane shutters.
• Verify that vital records are in a safe storage area.
• Files, records and storage cabinets may be wrapped in plastic to protect against moisture and raised off the floor. If necessary, relocate records to a safe storage facility off site, temporarily.
• Ensure all vehicles are serviced and fuelled. Determine where they can be parked safely to whether the storm.
• Confirm availability of computer support.
• An inventory of hurricane supplies should be done and restocking, if necessary.
• Assign responsibility for tracking the hurricane.
• Send home essential employees temporarily so that they can secure their personal property before returning to duty.

During a Hurricane Warning

• Remove hanging objects from walls.
• Take down outdoor objects – antennas and satellite dishes.
• Listen to the radio.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows.
• Wrap office equipment in plastic and secure them properly, especially for areas prone to flooding.
• Turn off lights and disconnect electrical equipment.
• After workstations have been prepared; send staff home to finalize their preparations.