While living along the American coast gives you access to beautiful water and beaches, it also puts you at risk for some of the world’s most dangerous storms – hurricanes. And if you live in one of these ocean towns or cities, you must be prepared for them. These massive ocean storm systems cause flooding, storm surges, and high winds, and can even spawn tornadoes. They’re destructive forces and if proper precautions are not taken, they can be deadly.
What Is a Hurricane?
Hurricanes are powerful storms that start at sea. They
occur in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but tend to hit coastal lands more in the east. Every hurricane starts as a tropical storm and grows in size and strength. If and when the storm’s sustained winds reach 74 mph or more, the storm is classified as a hurricane. Once a storm has reached this level, it is named and categorized one through five using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
- Category One: Sustained winds of 74-95 mph
- Category Two: Sustained winds of 96-110 mph
- Category Three: Sustained winds of 111-129 mph
- Category Four: Sustained winds of 130-156 mph
- Category Five: Sustained winds of 157 mph or higher
These massive storms can grow up to 600 miles across and take over a week to subside, as they only move 10 to 20 mph. Even category one hurricanes cause severe destruction, damaging roofs, snapping power lines, and toppling trees. And when the strongest storms hit, the damage is catastrophic. Homes are destroyed. Almost all trees are fallen. Those who don’t evacuate are often left completely isolated with no way in or out. It can take months for these areas to become livable again, and some never do.
Hurricane Preparedness Plan
When preparing for a hurricane, it’s important to start well before there’s a storm in sight. And the first step in preparing for any type of disaster is to have a plan. Your hurricane
preparedness plan should include when and how to get to safety, a checklist for what needs to be done before you leave, and phone numbers for out of town contacts. You should create two plans, one for if you evacuate and one for staying home during the storm. Once you have your hurricane disaster plan, here’s how you prepare for a hurricane:
Have a Disaster Preparedness Kit
A hurricane disaster preparedness kit provides you with the necessary things you need in case of an emergency. Be sure to have at least three to five days worth of supplies, as it can take days after a hurricane before flooding resides and emergency personnel are able to get streets open and safe. Here’s what your kit needs to include:
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- 1,200 calories of nonperishable food per person, per day
- Flashlights and batteries
- Battery or crank-style radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
- Blankets
- Manual can opener
- Seven days worth of all medication
- First aid supplies
- Hygiene products
- Good, sturdy shoes for each family member
- Money, preferably in small bills
- A spare credit card
- Something for entertainment, such as a deck of cards or puzzle book
- Important documents in a waterproof container; include copies of driver’s licenses, identification cards, birth certificates, social security cards, and insurance information
- If you have pets, be sure to take their needs into consideration, including food, water, and any medical supplies
- If you have a small child, someone with a disability, or an elderly individual living with you, include items for their specific needs
Prepare Your Home
If you live in an area that’s at risk for hurricanes, it’s important to prepare your home for tropical storms before the season hits. Here’s what should be done:
- Remove all dead, dying, or dangerously hanging limbs from nearby trees
- Check gutters to ensure they’re secure and free from clogs and debris
- Retrofit to secure and reinforce the roof, windows, and doors on your home, garage, and other outbuildings with a minimum of ⅝ inch exterior or marine plywood
- Keep a functioning generator and start it every three months to ensure it’s working properly
- Design and build a safe room in the interior of your home
Continue reading How to Prepare for a Hurricane: A Survival Guide for Tropical Disasters at Ammo.com.
