On 23 May 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service predicted the 2024 hurricane season to be an “above-normal hurricane season”. Are you ready? I live in Florida (Northwest) and have been through several hurricanes. Here are some things that should be considered during the hurricane season.
Keeping in mind our Golden Four Series: Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Execute, we start with the “Plan” of the Golden Four Series.
Storm activity is announced when a storm develops off the Coast of Africa. That isn’t the only place a storm can start; some may start in the Northeast, Atlantic Ocean, or Gulf of Mexico. When it is announced that a tropical storm is possible, you should already be prepared as outlined in the Planning stage. We will discuss the “Plan and Prepare” stages.
Regardless of where a hurricane starts, we must be prepared. Living in Florida, I have done this many times. I’ll discuss a few areas that should be looked at in the “Planning and Preparing “stage.
Flood/Evacuation Zone: These zones can be found in your local Police Departments, Fire Stations, or from an Emergency Center like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These zones are important, they can let you know if your area requires flood insurance. Pre-check the emergency evacuation centers in your area. See if they will meet your needs, including special medical needs, pets, etc. I suggest that when they say to “EVACUATE,” then do so. Your life is worth more than a photo album. If you do have to evacuate, know where you are going and know the routes/roads. Sometimes, what may seem the fastest route might be the slowest due to traffic congestion and everyone evacuating at the same time. Think about Key West, with only one road leading out. If you can use back roads safely, they might get you to where you want to go faster. Know your options. Always bring a hard copy of maps; cell service could be down. Always have a backup plan.
Phones: Have a hurricane/weather app on your phone. There are several hurricane apps to choose from. The one I use is the Tropical Hurricane Tracker. You should also have a good weather app that isn’t hurricane-specific; again, there are plenty of them out there.
Gas: In mid-May, I start checking my hurricane supplies to prepare for the 1st of June. Normally, I store 40 gallons for my car and backup generator, which I will cover later. Make sure to store your gas in approved gas cans. Don’t use milk cartons, plastic jugs, paper cartons, or glass bottles/containers. Always keep safety in mind. When it is announced when and where the storm will land, even if you’re outside the cone of probability, make sure to fill up all cars and gas cans.
Yards/surrounding areas: Clean/put away everything that could blow away. Drain your pool enough so it can collect the rainfall and not overflow. Don’t put your yard furniture in your pool if you have a liner. Also, overload the water with salt or chorine if you lose power so the water won’t turn green. Trim all low-hanging and/or damaged branches and limbs around your home and vehicles. If possible, move your vehicles away from any trees.
Shutters: Some people leave their hurricane shutters up the entire hurricane season, from 01 June to 30 November. Whenever you put up your shutters, always have a way in/out of your home. If you have small children, you may want a fluorescent sticker or some way to mark your children’s room. This is the best way to alert First Responders that it is a child’s room. There are many kinds of shutters: premade metal, plywood, fence pickets, cardboard, etc. If you need to make shutters, remember that you are not the only one that needs them. Supplies can be limited. Don’t forget the tools and supplies, tape, screws, screwdrivers, etc. In my next Blog, I will cover “items” you may need.
Generators: There are many types on the market: gas, natural gas, solar, whole house generators, etc. Like everything else, these require maintenance. Make sure to read the owner’s manual that came with it. One of the main causes of the generator failing is not having enough oil in it. The type and size of the generator you need will depend on what you want and must have power. Check your extension cord; can it carry the load required? Even when it isn’t hurricane season, generators should be load tested monthly, hooked up to something that draws a heavy load, like a freezer or several other electrical devices. Where you put your generator is very important. NEVER, EVER place it in your home. Every year, there are stories where someone/family has died due to carbon dioxide because they put their generator in the home. You want to keep your generator somewhere so it won’t get wet. Have it close enough to minimize the use of extension cords but not inside the house. Gas cans should never be stored near the generator. It’s a good idea to chain/lock down your generator if the power is out for a long time; those who didn’t prepare might be looking for a free one. Unless you have a whole house generator installed by a professional, never hook your generator into your electric box or back feed. This causes damage to your home and could injure and/or kill the electric linemen.
Outside lighting: Small solar lights and flashlights can help you work outside. Solar lights work well inside the house, too. When you want darkness, just put something over the solar panel, and it will turn off the light.
Personal Items: Do you know how many important papers you have? Are they all located in your home? Keep them together. If you must evacuate, you may want to take them with you. It would be great to copy/store these items on a thumb/external drive. You may even want to take a video of the inside and outside of your home. This can be useful when dealing with insurance companies about your home before and after since hurricanes can destroy a home. After all, a picture is worth 1000 words. One of the topics I will cover later is other items you may consider taking with you if you must evacuate.
What to do inside the home once you know a hurricane is going to make landfall, usually 2-3 days:
Turn your A/C to the coldest setting. This will help keep your house cool should the power go out. Keep doors shut.
Place towels at the bottom of your windows and doors. This will help keep the water out of your home.
Get containers that will hold water, such as bowls, milk jugs, etc., fill them with water, and freeze them. These can be used for drinking, washing hands/dishes, pet water, etc.
In Florida, we say that if you keep the door on your refrigerator/freezer close, most food will last 3-4 days. The freezer, of course, will last longer. A good tip is to take a cup of water and freeze it, then put a quarter (any coin) on top. When you check your freezer, if the coin is still on top, the food should be safe to eat.
Fill your bathtubs, 5-gallon buckets, etc., with water. This water can be used to flush your toilets, but it should not be used for drinking or cooking.
Lights: Put a flashlight in each room, even the bathroom. Make sure you have extra batteries. You never know when you will lose power. If using candles, make sure you extinguish them before you go to sleep. Always keep safety at the forefront. Solar lights are good, as I have already stated. Charge them during the day and use them at night. Some come with “on/off” switches.
Designate a “safe area”. If things get rough, this can be one room in your home where everyone knows where to meet. Ensure that the area (place) has everything you need: radio/phone, water, food, flashlights, a First Aid Kit, etc. The best place is in the middle of the room, away from the windows. If everyone can fit, consider getting into a closet using a mattress as a cover. Mark the outside of the door so that the first responders know this is where you are.
Checklists.
Checklist: There are plenty of them out there. Each one may look the same, but it is geared toward a specialty. In my next blog, I will break down some important checklists.
Written by PSS contributor, John "JJ" Johnson
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