UNDERSTANDING HURRICANES AND FLOODS
Earlier than diving into preparedness, it’s essential to grasp the forces we’re coping with. Hurricanes are huge tropical storms that type over heat ocean waters, unleashing highly effective winds, torrential rain, and harmful storm surges. Flooding may end up from hurricanes, extended rainfall, or overflowing rivers, usually making it one of many deadliest features of any storm. Many of us on the East Coast, particularly right here in our area of Tennessee and North Carolina, received first-hand expertise lately with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
1000’s of households misplaced their properties, automobiles, and so forth… Some misplaced every little thing. Many lives have been misplaced, bridges collapsed, energy strains destroyed, and roads and full cities have been utterly washed away. It’s going to take a few years for our residence space to get better from this devastating occasion, and no person ever anticipated such a factor to occur this deep within the mountains.
THE DANGERS OF HURRICANES
- Excessive Winds: Winds in a hurricane can exceed 150 mph, damaging properties, uprooting bushes, and turning particles into harmful projectiles.
- Storm Surge: A storm surge is an increase in sea degree brought on by the storm’s winds, resulting in extreme coastal flooding.
- Heavy Rain: Torrential rain from hurricanes can overwhelm drainage programs, inflicting widespread inland flooding.
TYPES OF FLOODING
- Flash Flooding: Happens inside a couple of minutes or hours of extreme rainfall. These floods are extremely harmful and might lure individuals in automobiles or properties.
- River Flooding: When rivers exceed their banks as a consequence of extended heavy rain or upstream runoff, widespread flooding can happen in surrounding areas.
THE THREE PHASES OF PREPAREDNESS
1. Earlier than the Storm: Preparation
Efficient preparedness requires motion lengthy earlier than you see a storm within the forecast. Right here’s a complete plan to make sure you’re prepared when a hurricane or flood threatens:
Construct a Hurricane and Flood Emergency Equipment:
Each survivalist is aware of that having the fitting gear could make the distinction between life and dying. Your equipment ought to embrace:
- Water: A minimum of one gallon per particular person, per day, for 3 days.
- Non-perishable meals: Replenish on high-calorie meals similar to protein bars, canned items, and freeze-dried meals.
- First-aid equipment: Embrace bandages, antiseptics, any prescription drugs, and over-the-counter meds like painkillers.
- Flashlights and batteries: Energy outages are widespread in hurricanes. Seize a few of our FREE Warlights!
- Transportable climate radio: A NOAA climate radio will hold you up to date on storm developments.
- Multi-tool and knife: For any variety of survival wants, from opening cans to reducing particles. I’m a fan of the Leatherman Wave, and the Gerber Strongarm.
- Waterproof containers: Retailer necessary paperwork like IDs, insurance coverage papers, and money in these containers.
Safe Your Residence:
- Set up hurricane shutters or board up home windows: Flying particles can shatter glass, making your house unsafe.
- Trim bushes and shrubs: Excessive winds can snap branches, inflicting injury to properties and energy strains.
- Clear gutters and drains: Stop flooding round your house by guaranteeing water has a transparent path to movement away.
- Set up sump pumps: For those who reside in a flood-prone space, having a sump pump in your basement or decrease ranges is important.
- Backup energy: Contemplate a generator for backup energy throughout extended outages. Guarantee it’s correctly ventilated to keep away from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Have an Evacuation Plan:
- Know your zone: Examine native evacuation zones to find out should you’re in an space vulnerable to flooding or storm surges.
- Create a route: Plan a number of evacuation routes in case roads are blocked or flooded.
- Pre-pack necessities: Preserve a go-bag prepared with clothes, meals, water, and provides that may final you for at least three days.
- Use WARCOM: Our one-of-a-kind preparedness command heart that features varied preparedness plans, together with an evacuation plan!
2. Through the Storm: Staying Secure
When the storm hits, your precedence is to remain knowledgeable and defend your self and your family members from fast hazard.
Monitor Native Alerts:
- Keep tuned to climate updates: Use a battery-powered NOAA radio or your telephone (if mobile networks are up) to observe climate reviews.
- Comply with evacuation orders: If native authorities instruct you to evacuate, achieve this instantly. Ignoring orders can put your life in jeopardy.
Shelter in Place:
For those who’re unable to evacuate, comply with these steps to remain protected indoors:
- Transfer to greater floor: If flooding is probably going, transfer to an higher flooring, away from home windows.
- Keep away from home windows: Flying particles can simply shatter glass.
- Flip off utilities: If flooding is imminent, shut off electrical energy and fuel to stop fires or explosions.
Flood-Particular Security Suggestions:
- Keep away from driving: Most flood-related deaths happen in automobiles. As little as 6 inches of water could cause automobiles to lose management, and simply 2 ft can carry away most automobiles.
- Don’t stroll by way of floodwaters: Floodwater can include harmful particles, hidden currents, or chemical compounds. Use excessive warning should you should wade by way of water, and put on protecting gear if doable.
3. After the Storm: Restoration
As soon as the storm has handed, the hazard is just not over. The aftermath of hurricanes and floods can nonetheless pose important dangers.
Examine Your Residence Safely:
- Keep away from electrical hazards: Don’t enter any space with standing water should you suspect electrical points. Downed energy strains or flooded shops can lead to electrocution.
- Examine for structural injury: Examine your house for cracks, broken roofs, or compromised foundations earlier than re-entering.
- Sanitize floodwater-exposed areas: Floodwaters can carry micro organism and contaminants. Use protecting gear like gloves and masks to scrub surfaces and eliminate any water-damaged gadgets.
Contact Your Insurance coverage Firm:
- Doc any injury with pictures and hold data of repairs. Contact your insurance coverage firm as quickly as doable to start submitting claims. Doc EVERYTHING. Insurance coverage corporations are at all times on the lookout for a method to keep away from paying out throughout pure catastrophe occasions.
Keep Conscious of Secondary Hazards:
- Ailments: Stagnant water can turn out to be a breeding floor for mosquitoes and micro organism. Be vigilant about sanitation.
- Mildew progress: If your house is uncovered to floodwaters, concentrate on mildew that may develop quickly in humid environments. Correct air flow and cleansing are important.
BUILDING LONG-TERM PREPAREDNESS
Contemplate Upgrading Your Residence:
- Elevate important programs: Elevating your house’s electrical programs and HVAC models can stop flood injury.
- Reinforce your construction: Strengthening your roof and putting in impact-resistant home windows can provide higher safety in hurricane-prone areas.
Be part of the Preparedness Group:
- Take survival programs: Spend money on coaching that teaches you important survival abilities.
- Keep knowledgeable: Subscribe to native emergency alert programs and climate apps to obtain real-time updates on potential hazards.
- Be part of the tribe: Having a stable group of warriors, coaching alternatives, and tactical instruments and assets is priceless.
CONCLUSION
