Hurricane Season - June 1 - Nov 30 & other emergencies

[Theunicornhunter 2]

livescience

Most people along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts still lack a hurricane survival plan and do not feel vulnerable to storms, despite Katrina's dramatic damage and pleas from emergency officials for residents to prepare before the season starts, according to a poll released Thursday.

 

The six-month Atlantic hurricane season starts Friday, and forecasters have predicted an above-average year: 13 to 17 named storms, with seven to 10 of them becoming hurricanes and three to five of those major ones of at least Category 3 strength with winds above 111 mph (179 kph). One forecaster said odds were high that a major hurricane would hit the U.S. this year.

 

......

 

Here we are three days into the official hurricane season and we've already had two named storms - named storms aren't alway a bad thing - Barry provided some much needed rain but there still remains the chance of a big one out there.

 

I continue to be amazed at how little attention people pay to hurricane preparation. If you read the rest of the article it indicates that Floridians tend to prepare more than others - we also have a higher probability of getting hit. I still remember how people complained after Wilma because the government hadn't brought them ice and water - they didn't even bother to put gas in their cars before the storm hit or fill up bottles with water from their faucets. And then it was the government's fault. People drink water from their faucets every day but somehow after a storm they need bottled water - filling up a bottle with tap water before the storm is simply unacceptable. Okay declining personal responsibility is another issue.

 

Issue at hand - are you prepared? Everyone - hurricane areas or not should have a disaster readiness kit (aka 72 hour kit etc). Both FEMA and The American Red Cross in addition to other emergency preparedness organizations provide assistance in getting your kit together. At a minimum you should have three days of non-perishable food, water, change of clothing, hygiene supplies and copies of important paperwork all in an easy carry container. (backpacks are ideal for this) This should be ready to go if you're called to evacuate. (aside from hurricane this could be tornado, wild fire or hazard chemical spill etc)

 

Even if you don't live in a hurricane prone area you could still be affected - if a major storm ever hit our Gulf Coast refineries we would all feel it - in either prices or food not getting to the shelves (or both)

 

You really should have two weeks supply of non-perishable food and water on hand in case you don't evacuate but an emergency still cuts off vital services.

 

For resources:

FEMA

[Kor37 9]

Those are some excellent suggestions,UH! We don't get many hurricanes up here but we do get some nasty storms that knock the power out so it never hurts to be prepared.