How to Survive Hurricane Season

Hurricane strikes terror in the heart, particularly since Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. High winds and floodwaters destroyed entire communities. We don't control the power of the storm, we can take steps to be safe and survive hurricane season. In an area where hurricanes are common, take these steps to assure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

In General

1. Be aware that hurricane season starts May 1 and ends November 1. Storms can form before and after the official season, but named hurricanes will fall within the season. So be prepared by May 1.
2. Get familiar with the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which details the potential damage from the storm's winds. Hurricanes rate in increasing strength from 1-5 based on wind speeds.
3. Listen to directions from officials. If a mandatory evacuation is given, gather up your family and pets and hit the road. Have a pre-set destination like the home of a friend or family member.
4. If you don't have hurricane shutters, fit sheets of plywood over the windows. Draw the curtains and stay away from the windows. Taping the panes has proven ineffective and messy to clean up afterwards.
5. Make sure that everyone knows where the shut-offs are for the gas, electric and water.

Evacuation

6. Create an evacuation plan for your family. Keep the cars full of gas during hurricane season. If you have pets, think twice about leaving them behind. Purchase a cat kennel, a small litter box, and travel bowls for your dog or cat.
7. Keep cash and an open credit card on hand if possible. When an evacuation order is given, it is common to find cash is unavailable in ATMs.
8. Designate a meeting place or a central contact to prevent your family from separating. A hurricane will often take down the cell phone towers. Make sure everyone is informed before you get busy preparing for an impending storm.
9. Keep important documents, prescription medicine and spare keys together in a waterproof container. Each adult in the household should know where this container is kept.

Riding Out the Storm

10. Pick up a gallon of bottled water every few weeks throughout the year. Don't wait for the storm warnings to start buying bottled water.
11. Have a supply of canned tuna, chicken, potted meat; bread and crackers; packets of condiments; juice boxes; dried or fresh fruit; pre-packaged snacks. Make sure you have sufficient baby formula and diapers, as well as plastic untensils, paper plates, trash bags, paper towels and toilet paper.
12. Stockpile fresh batteries and candles. Fill up the bathtub and use the water to "flush" the toilet if the area's water supply is interrupted.
13. If you live in a flood area, keep an axe in your attic. In the event that water rises in your home, you can cut through to the roof and escape.
14. Stay in a secure room during the storm. Stay away from the windows and do not use the phone. Listen to the radio and do as instructed.

After the Storm

15. Make sure that the skies are clear and that the storm has passed completely. Do not let the serenity of the eye of the storm fool you into thinking it's over.
16. Before anyone goes outside review any damage. Report downed power lines and stay away from them. Check on neighbors, but stay close to home.
17. Be patient. Restoration of services takes time; plan to wait for things to get back to normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Hurricane Juan in 1983 was a Category 1 storm. Nonetheless, flood damage exceeded $2 billion dollars, making Juan among the most expensive storms to hit the U.S.
• Hurricanes are the world's worst storms and are the only weather disasters to be given individual names.
• A hurricane "watch" means that conditions exist in the specified area for a hurricane within 36 hours. A hurricane "warning" means that hurricane conditions could appear in the area within 24 hours.