Preparing
for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
We
are the ants running for the hills when Mother Nature extends her
wrathful hands. The history of our blue planet has revealed there is
no geographical place on Earth where humans and animals could live
and escape the tragedies of natural catastrophes. Storms are
unforgiving and being prepared gives life better odds. In the game of
survival, Mother Nature has the home field advantage, and in order to
win, one must know the incredible force they are up against.
Tropical Storm
A Tropical
storm like hurricanes is determined by its wind intensity. The
minimum wind speed of a this storm is 39 miles per hour with a
maximum wind speed of 73 miles per hour. These winds howl and carry
any debris it can hold waiting to throw it into your path. Street
signs violently shake side to side as if the metal post will be
ripped from the ground, and if it does you can be sure it wont just
fall limp. Sea levels can rise creating what is called a storm surge
causing the shore line to pound dry land, dragging anything not
secured down back to the turbulent waters. It is rare, but not
impossible, for tornadoes to develop during these winds only causing
further concern for safety.
Category 1
Hurricane
A tropical
storm becomes a category 1 hurricane when winds reach 74 miles per
hour. The maximum speed of this hurricane is 95 miles per hour. These
winds are dangerous and can absolutely cause significant damage to
property and life. Roof tiles fly like the cards from a dealers hands
and the sky grows black as soot. Storm surges grow stronger and rain
pounds the Earth in all directions making the risk of flood grow
nearer and nearer. Tornadoes start to form, leaving trails of
destruction like a toddler with a permanent marker. Trucks can be
pushed right off the road like hot wheels and street lights swing
until a cord snaps and it crashes to road below.
Category 2 Hurricane
At 96
miles per hour a hurricane has reached category 2 and its wind speed
hits its maximum at 110 miles per hour. One who does not fear these
winds is a brave soul. Waves bludgeon the shore with incredible
violence. If a st orm surge encounters a sea wall, the splash
generated can reach 100 feet into the air if it has not already
buried the wall beneath the sea. This storm surge now swallows up to
a 10th of a mile of shore line, drowning once land plant
life into a temporary marine world. Hundreds of Millions of dollars
in damage will occur in the path of this hurricane. The outside world
becomes incredibly unstable when winds tear through homes like a
derailed train. As street signs are plucked from the ground with such
ease they end up landing somewhere with deadly force. Trees shake
like an umbrella after one comes inside from the rain. They can have
been rooted for 60 to 100 years and in an instant be ripped from the
Earth, becoming weapons against the community.
Category 3
Hurricane
At 111
miles per hour, a category 3 hurricane is born. The maximum wind
speed is 130 miles per hour. These winds leave a devastating after
math; some will not survive. As in the previous two categories,
storm surges are eminent, tornadoes will beat the ground and destroy
property, lakes will be swallowed by floods, and the wind will carry
debris for miles before it conveniently thrusts objects into your
home or car. The winds scream with anger, and the sounds of metal can
be heard as debris meets debris. Palm trees bend with incredible
resilience and just when you think its going to crack, the oak next
to it becomes uprooted. When a tornado is near, you might think a
locomotive is on your door step ready to end it all. Do not
underestimate the power of this hurricane. To go outside would be
like blowing dust from a shelf; you would be the dust.
Category 4
Category 5 Hurricanes
These
categories are incredibly dangerous and are a real threat to
survival. The winds produced during these storms leave catastrophic
damage and no one is safe. Billions of dollars in damage will
absolutely occur. Category 4 wind speeds start at 131 miles per hour
and maximize at 155 miles per hour while a category 5 wind speed has
only a minimum of 156 miles per hour; there is no recorded maximum
speed for a category 5 hurricane. These hurricanes can wipe entire
cities off the grid and leave thousands dead or homeless. These
hurricanes are essentially tornadoes bigger than entire states. Homes
can be torn from their foundations, warehouses leave only a few steal
beams giving the impression some large structure used to be there,
and once resilient trees snap like tooth picks. Buses, boats, cars,
and semi truck trailers are found high in the trees, miles away from
where they were parked or docked. Floods will bury neighborhoods and
when it is all over, the world around you will look like Armageddon.
Evacuation
For
category 4 and category 5 hurricanes it is highly recommended that
you evacuate. It is possible to survive these storms without injury
and relatively minimal property damage, but the odds are against you.
If you live within 10 miles of a coastline or you live in a mobile
home you should absolutely evacuate. For category 2 and 3 hurricanes
you may want to consider evacuating if you live within 6 to 8 miles
of a coastline and if you live in a mobile home you should still
absolutely evacuate. Mobile homes are at risk of becoming debris in
these wind conditions. For category 1 hurricanes those living in
mobile homes should strongly consider evacuating and coastline homes
should hold up fine. Those not living in the above mentioned
parameters are able to ride out category 1 through 3 hurricanes with
proper planning.
If
evacuation is eminent, try to leave town at least 2 days before the
storm makes land fall to avoid a possible grid lock. To better
prepare for evacuation scenarios you should have at least 5 routes
out of town prepared in the event of grid lock and/or bridge/road
closures. Once wind speeds exceed 45 miles per hour bridges close
and at around 75 miles per hour causeways will also close. Have road
maps, a first aid kit, and if possible a GPS in your escape vehicle
at all times. Pack at least 3 weeks worth of clothing, returning
home may not be an immediate option after a hurricane has passed. If
you need to evacuate, having a file folder with your most important
and valuable documents ready to go is a good idea. Some documents
cannot be easily replaced. Examples of important and valuable
documents would be birth certificates, social security cards, titles,
deeds, bonds, emergency credit card, insurance information etc.
Having these items makes getting life back to normal a little easier
in the event your home and all of your belongings have been
destroyed. Keeping this folder in a fire and water proof safe is most
ideal even if you do not have to evacuate. Finally, even though food
and water will be available where ever you decide to seek refuge, it
is recommended that you have 5 to 6 gallons of water and a weeks
worth of food available.
Home
Supplies
Basically the majority of supplies you will need are based on the likely event of a power outage. Power can remain down for a few hours up to a few weeks depending on the severity of the hurricane. Power can even be out for a few hours up to a few days after a tropical storm. The following list of supplies will enure your survival in a power outage:
- At least 1 flash light per person
- Do not use candles – they are hazardous and rescue wait time will be increased or impossible
- Radio- for weather updates i.e. tornado warnings and flash floods
- Batteries
- Cooler and Ice- to preserve cold food as long as possible
- If you choose not to get a cooler, try not to open the fridge. Each time the fridge is opened, cold air escapes and food starts to perish.
- 3 weeks worth of dry and/or canned foods
- cereal, raisins, bread, peanut butter, crackers, etc.
- Generator
- Never ever use a generator indoors. Generators produce carbon monoxide and is deadly if inhaled.
- Generators should be stored indoors during the storm and only used outdoors after the storm has passed while you are awaiting power to be restored.
- Generators need to be stored indoors during the storm because they become hazardous debris if left outdoors.
In
addition to the above mentioned supplies you will want to have at
least 12 gallons of bottled/jugged water on hand in the event your
water source has been contaminated.
Preventing Injury and Property Damage
Two of the
most important things to have for your home are a strong roof and
hurricane proof windows. If your home was built before the year 2000
you may not have hurricane proof windows. It is in your best interest
to invest in hurricane proof windows and a solid roof. If this is not
possible, hurricane proof shutters can be installed for a lesser
amount than new windows. If installing shutters is also unaffordable
there is a cheaper option, but it is less effective. Drill screw
anchors into the exterior of the house around the perimeters of each
window and/or sliding glass door. Use either aluminum sheets or
plywood to secure to the anchors. This will prevent most debris from
breaking your windows. Putting tape on glass will not protect it from
any debris, not even a pebble.
you have
any outdoor potted or hanging plants, you should bring them all
indoors. These plants can easily become dangerous debris; putting
yourself and others in danger. Any thing on your property that is not
secured to a foundation should be brought indoors to avoid creating
more deadly debris. If you have the opportunity, buy sandbags to
place on the interior of your entryways to prevent light flooding.
Do not park
cars under trees if at all possible. You never know what tree is
going to fall or which way it will fall. Anything you can do to
prevent your own property damage will save you from future headaches
and financial loss. If you live under large oak trees, you might want
to consider evacuating for the same reason you wouldn't park a car
under a tree.
Lastly, do not
go outside during a tropical storm or hurricane. It may seem
thrilling, but it is in fact a quality of a Darwin award winner.
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