Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season officially began in June, and August until October marks the peak season. With a very active season predicted this year by the Colorado State University forecast team, now is an important time to start or go over your family plan. By just taking the time to prepare yourself and your family, you can feel confident if a natural disaster occurred.
The key to being prepared is to start early. It is a good idea to go ahead and buy some supplies like batteries, flashlights, portable radios and bottled water before everyone is looking for these items and supplies are limited.
It is essential when a hurricane has been predicted to hit your area that you evacuate immediately. Plan your evacuation route in advance and make arrangements to stay with family and friends inland until the hurricane has subsided. Move to a safe area before access is cut off by floodwater.
Be aware that floods are deceptive. According to FEMA, flash floods and floods are the # 1 weather-related killer with nearly 140 deaths in the U. S. each year. Although water may appear calm on the surface, it could be flowing rapidly below. Floodwaters can erode roadways, and a missing section of road or a missing bridge will not be visible with water covering it. The depth of the water may be difficult to determine and water one foot deep can displace 1500 lbs. A vehicle in just two feet of water is easily capable of being swept away. The majority of flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water. If you come across a road that is flooded take an alternate route.
Another way to be prepared during a hurricane is to have an emergency road kit that contains any supplies you may need for your trip. If roads are congested you may be stuck in the car for a long period of time, or if conditions for the hurricane shift, you may need other provisions. The following is a list of items to keep in your vehicle.
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Flares
- Roll of duct or electrical tape
- Pocketknife
- Blankets and sleeping bags
- Ponchos
- Tire gauge
- A few cans of tire inflator/sealant
- Quart of engine oil
- Jumper cables
- Paper towels and rags
- Cell phone
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
- Portable battery operated radio
- Extra fuses
Assembling this road kit is not hard, but it could make a huge difference in making it safely to your destination. It is essential to be prepared for a wide variety of situations because you never know what a hurricane is going to do. Here are a few more tips that are important to your safety:
- Fill your vehicle with gas before the hurricane arrives. Waiting to do this could result in long lines and gas shortages.
- Listen closely to the radio or television for hurricane updates, road conditions, or other instructions.
- If you are evacuating an area and leaving a vehicle behind, be sure not to leave it in a low-lying area prone to flooding. If possible, park it in a garage and set the emergency brake. If you must leave it outside, park it next to a sturdy building and away from trees, poles, or other large objects that could fall on it.
Hurricanes can cause destruction, chaos, and panic. However, with the right planning and preparation you can get through them with much less anxiety. The key is to get an early start and have supplies together and an evacuation plan formed before the threat of a hurricane arises. This way you and your family can make it safely through the storm.