Storms And Hurricanes: You're All Wet If You Wait
Posted: Sunday, October 02, 2011
by Octavia Hansen
Octavia Hansen
The National Weather Service is watching out for you 24/7. They watch every storm, map every temperature, know enough about weather to predict very accurately what can happen anywhere. Any kind of storm will delay you, can hurt you, can change everything around you. In this day and age of instant communication and forecasting, you do not have to be taken by surprise. There are things you can do before a storm, steps to take during a storm and survival afterwards. There is always a margin of error in any predictions -- for a storm, always consider a worst case scenario. Over prepared is almost an impossibility. And, being prepared means you can stay prepared for the next storm, and there will be one.
The first to go is electricity, water and communications. For a lot of people, this is all it takes to panic. This does not mean you are in danger. For advanced as technology is, these things can still happen. Sometimes, it can happen with an earthquake, sometimes it just takes an accident taking out a telephone/power pole to sever contact. You can still be all right. Panic means you are out of control. With a little forethought you won't have any problem.
Forewarned is forearmed, and you need to practice these simple rules:
Fill up your car. When power goes out, that means gas pumps won't work. Even in a worst case scenario, if the car is damaged, gas can be syphoned out and into a working vehicle, or into a generator. Don't bother with gas cans. In a bad situation, they can rupture and leak, causing more damage than the storm.
Stockpile water. Do this any time, all the time. Don't bother with small bottles. Get the gallon, three, five or ten gallon sealed water in containers, store them in a safe place and mark the purchase date on the outside with a permanent marker. Don't keep water for more than a year. Have at least ten gallons for each person. Drinking only. No washing. Don't think you will hear a storm warning and then find water on the store shelves. If the water is more than a year old, open it and boil it or filter it before use. Don't waste water, ever.
Have one week's worth of medications ready. After most storms, there will be a few days of confusion, don't compound that with missed medications. This includes even simple things as sinus tabs, aspirin, vitamins, eye drops or cough medicine.
Have cash ready. You don't have to empty your account, but just like gas pumps not working, ATMs will be useless.
Canned food, flashlights, batteries, sheets of plastic, duct tape, pens and paper, book or diversions that don't take electricity. In the event of a bad storm and lengthy clean up, even when the storm is passed, you may have a few days without water or electricity. For all the processed foods, you don't have to go hungry and don't need to heat anything. Try not to use an open flame, you never know what's leaking or how things will burn. Writing things down and reading a book will keep you calm and busy while life returns to normal.
Plywood, nails and screws. Don't wait for a storm. Wood panels should be on the side of your house, in your garage, in an attic, a basement or stacked inside a storage area of an apartment. If a door or window blows out, you have to be able to cover it. They don't go bad. Stock up early. Again, don't think you're gonna fight the crowds before a looming storm. Even if you have used the boards, store them again for the next use.
If you are in a flood area, make plans to get out early. Better to lose a day at work than get caught in the mass exodus and probably in the storm as everyone is leaving. If the water comes up faster than you can get out or the evacuation route is blocked, get to higher ground or into a higher place in your house. Don't try to save furniture. Save important papers, computer disks, family photos, things that are small and easily packed or carried. Stock up on zip bags and put these things inside, duct tape the closure for added waterproofing and security. Put these bags into the tops of closests (NOT on high shelves anywhere in the house), then lock the door or jam it closed with carpets or sticks. Even if the water rises, the things will stay inside. If they float around, they won't float away. You cannot save everything. If you are insured, take digital photos of everything you own before anything happens, burn onto disks and save those disks. Be sure to take plenty of photos IMMEDIATELY after any kind of damage.
If family members are not at home when a storm hits, have a plan. Our family plan was to get yourself safe, contact the family later. No heroics. This meant no one went out into a storm trying to save anyone. People have to be smart enough to save themselves, leave their cars and find shelter.
Know that a storm is coming. If not now, then certainly later. Things that don't have an expiration date should be stock piled and ready. When a storm is on the way, take an inventory and do what you need to immediately. Survival in any situation depends on keeping your head and being prepared. Start NOW!
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