Hurricane Tracking Blog

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.

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

Monday, June 1 marked the beginning of the hurricane season. Dr. William Gray of the Tropical Meteorology Project is forecasting as many as 12 hurricanes for the 2009 hurricane season. With safety in mind, we look at the top 10 safety measures to take in preparation for the season.

1. Evacuate if you must
Evacuation orders are given for a reason. If you are told to leave, follow instructions, it is for your safety. The temptation is always there to stay in the familiarity of your own surrounding…but that decision could cost your life.

2. Secure important documents
Make sure you secure your important documents such as birth certificates, passports, diplomas, etc. Keep them all together in case you have to evacuate.

3. Have a hurricane kit
There are some ‘must leave’ items in case of a hurricane. Ensure that you stock up on supplies such as batteries, flashlights, battery operated-radios and other essential items.

4. Stay Inside
For some, it might be exciting to witness a hurricane, the temptation might be there to capture it on camera…but remember there may be flying objects and other dangers lurking, so just stay inside.

5. Secure your surroundings
If you have glass windows secure them by boarding them over before or tape to reduce flying glass in the event of breakage.

6. Stock up on water
Follow a hurricane, it generally takes days for water to be restored. Invest in a water tank or make sure you fill several large containers in case of the hurricane actually hit.

7. Invest in a generator
If a hurricane hits, chances are you will be without power for days. Have a back-up generator. Don’t wait until the event of a hurricane to buy one…be ready.

8. Know your emergency shelters
If you are living in a flood-prone area, ensure you know where to go in case of an emergency. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency normally issues a list of the various shelters…keep informed in case you will need to seek shelter.

9. Trim back branches from trees
Trim branches away from your home and cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property.

10. Insure your property
A lot of people don’t insure their properties, hoping that they will be okay in the event of a hurricane…but things don’t always turn out the way you want. Finance is a challenge but it will be worth to have your property covered…that will turn out cheaper in the long run.

Each year some of us enter the hurricane season unprepared. When the weatherman announces that a storm or hurricane is threatening, we move frantically about – forming long lines in the supermarket, hardware stores and at petrol stations. But, why waste time in this ‘mad-rush’ to make our home hurricane proof every year, when we can very easily do a little each month before the season begins?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 until November 30. With six months in between seasons, there is plenty of time to get your home and family prepared.

Here are some things we can do around our properties to help prepare:

Roof Inspection: Before the hurricane season begins, inspect your roof. Repair loose or missing shingles, loose zinc and areas that may leak.

Survey your property: Remove dead or weak trees and branches. Regular pruning helps to minimize damage to roofs and windows.

Windows and Awnings: People tend to tape their windows during a hurricane; the only advantage to this is if the windows get broken, the glass fragments will not fly all over the room. However, tape will not prevent debris from crashing through your window. The best thing to do therefore is to fit your windows with either hurricane shutters or with either plain plywood.

When choosing hurricane shutters be sure to get some background information on each type. The better the materials, the better the shutter will protect your home. If you choose to use plywood, make sure the plywood has no serious defects, such as splits. If you don’t already have plywood, this is the time to start buying; perhaps a sheet at a time, to avoid the rush on hardware stores when a hurricane threatens. Don’t forget to buy screws and nails to secure the plywood.

If you have aluminum awnings, make sure they can be lowered and secured when the time comes. Cloth awnings can be rolled up and tied. Doing this will prevent damage and save you repair/replacement costs.

Supplies: It’s always best to get supplies before hurricane watch has been issued. By that point, it will be difficult to find many of the things you need. Set up a hurricane season preparedness box which you can store every year.

Know if your property is in a flood prone area: Contact your local Disaster Preparation / Emergency Management office to find out if your area is prone to flooding. Whether it is or isn’t, have an evacuation plan ready.

Generator: Keeping your generator serviced is the best way to ensure that it starts easily. Before the hurricane season begins, drain old gas from the system. Old gas left in the generator can “gum up” the fuel line and prevent it from starting up. If possible, take your generator in for service every six months and make sure all rubber lines are not dry rotted and that the spark plug is still functioning. Periodically, you can start the generator and let it run for about 5 minutes. Letting it run will lubricate the lines and seals and keep the battery in working condition.

Additionally, having several extra gas cans for the generator is VERY helpful. Also, you might want to stockpile some fuel in advance, but be aware that long-term storage of gas is not advisable.