Well I now have had enough time to process Ike and all of the aftermath, and I've taken a deep breath and counted to ten before starting this post. So here it goes...
As I watched the drama that was Ike unfold in the Houston area in the week or two after the storm, I was struck with the victim mentality that has infected so many of my fellow Houstonians. I was surprised that within 24 hours of Ike clearing our area, we had news reporters and citizens complaining that FEMA and our local officials hadn't managed to get ice, water, and MRE's to everyone impacted by the storm. The mentality seemed to be that if one didn't emerge from their home Saturday morning to find a FEMA rep in their front yard with coffee and a doughnut there was a significant breakdown in the system. UNBELIEVABLE!
How many times have we been told to be prepared to survive for 72 hours without assistance...72 hours...not 4 hours, not 12 hours, not 36, but 72 hours. Every hurricane tracking chart that the news stations distribute, every Red Cross handout, all of the disaster preparedness advice...everything says 72 hours worth of water, food, batteries, clothes, etc. Why do we expect our government to provide for us immediately after a storm of this severity? What happened to the American Spirit? Where is our grit and determination?
Although it sounds cold-hearted, just because someone didn't take the time, expend the effort, or care enough about their family to be prepared, doesn't mean that it's the government's (taxpayers, all of us, everyone else's) responsibility to spend millions of dollars, use thousands of man-hours, hundreds of gallons of fuel, etc to bring them daily deliveries of ice, water, and food until they have power and fuel again.
What about those of us that planned ahead, headed the warnings, prepared food and water for our families?? Year after year we prepare, quietly and dutifully, sometimes without incident, sometimes -as with Ike- for good reason, where's the reward for proper preparation? It only exists in forums like this where a fellow responsible citizen takes the time to say "Thank You" for lessening the burden on the system by stepping up to the plate and doing your part.
The responsible ones don't get their 30 seconds on TV to chastise FEMA for not getting them Ice quickly enough, they don't get boxes of free food and cases of free water...they stay at home and help their neighbors, they go to work as firefighters, paramedics and police officers, they quietly go about the business of recovery.
What would Ike have been like if all of us were properly prepared?? How much money and effort could have been diverted to recovery in the hardest-hit areas? How much less financial stress would there have been on our local food banks, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross? What a great success story it could have been , and what a shining example we could have set for the rest of the country. Instead, we seemed to have confused "survival" with "convenience" and "comfort". Consider this...Survival is just that...keeping yourself from being dead. In situations like Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, etc...we must focus on, and be prepared to, survive for 72 hours. It will neither be convenient, nor comfortable, but with proper preparation, it is certainly possible.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Post Ike living
Well a lot has happened since my last post. Ike blew through the Houston area late Friday night/early Saturday AM back on 9/12/08. We lost power around midnight (00:08) when the first significant gusts started for us on the North side of town. The worst of the storm hit us between 03:00 and 06:00 Saturday AM.
All was going according to plan as I stayed up listening to my emergency radio (TV was simulcasting on a popular FM radio station) and I had my scanner on listening to the fire/EMS traffic. We had plenty of food, water, and batteries to last us a good long time, and my 2 year old was fast asleep (until about 06:00).
Our best friends, whom we were talking to via cell phone off and on throughout the storm didn't lose power until 08:30, and got it back around 19:30 that evening, so we spent the night with them. After that, my Mother-in-law got power and we stayed there until our power was restored...15 DAYS LATER! I was not prepared for 15 days without electricity. We ended up using the battery packs that I had for clean-up around the house in the folowwing 2 weeks, and i did use the solar panel to recharge them - it worked pretty well.
We are definitely going o have to look into other options in the near future if we are looking at prolonged outages like 2 weeks.
Next blog will be about personal responsibility and the victim mentality that has overtaken our "American Spirit".
All was going according to plan as I stayed up listening to my emergency radio (TV was simulcasting on a popular FM radio station) and I had my scanner on listening to the fire/EMS traffic. We had plenty of food, water, and batteries to last us a good long time, and my 2 year old was fast asleep (until about 06:00).
Our best friends, whom we were talking to via cell phone off and on throughout the storm didn't lose power until 08:30, and got it back around 19:30 that evening, so we spent the night with them. After that, my Mother-in-law got power and we stayed there until our power was restored...15 DAYS LATER! I was not prepared for 15 days without electricity. We ended up using the battery packs that I had for clean-up around the house in the folowwing 2 weeks, and i did use the solar panel to recharge them - it worked pretty well.
We are definitely going o have to look into other options in the near future if we are looking at prolonged outages like 2 weeks.
Next blog will be about personal responsibility and the victim mentality that has overtaken our "American Spirit".
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Disaster Kit, Solar power, & hurricane IKE
I want to talk today about adding solar power to my disaster kit. I looked into several options, and I decided (for cost mainly) to start with a small portable solar panel from Brunton, and a Xantrex 300 portable battery.
The theory here is that I will charge the power pack from the wall before the storm hits, and then use it to re-charge my cell phone, digital camera, laptop, etc while the power is out. Then after the storm, I can use the solar panes during the day to re-charge the battery pack to be used the following night.
I know that I'm using a solar panel that can't completely re-charge the battery pack in one afternoon, but at least it will extend it's life significantly. I've played with this set-up a few times this season, and I found that with my 15 watt folding solar panes (it looks like a notebook when it's folded, but when you open it, there are 3 panels inside the notebook) I can take the battery pack from 1/3 to 1/2 full to full in about 6 hours of good sun.
Eventually, I'd like to have 1 or 2 Solaris 52 solar panels and 3 or 4 battery packs. I won't be able to run my fridge or AC with it, but fans, lights, and communications should be easy. Where I live here in Houston, we were without power for 3 to 4 days with Alicia in 1983, and for 24 hours with Rita. I'm curious how well we do with Ike.
Any input on solar / battery set-ups would be much appreciated!
Good luck to all in South Texas this weekend!
Patrick, President, www.MyDisasterplan.com
The theory here is that I will charge the power pack from the wall before the storm hits, and then use it to re-charge my cell phone, digital camera, laptop, etc while the power is out. Then after the storm, I can use the solar panes during the day to re-charge the battery pack to be used the following night.
I know that I'm using a solar panel that can't completely re-charge the battery pack in one afternoon, but at least it will extend it's life significantly. I've played with this set-up a few times this season, and I found that with my 15 watt folding solar panes (it looks like a notebook when it's folded, but when you open it, there are 3 panels inside the notebook) I can take the battery pack from 1/3 to 1/2 full to full in about 6 hours of good sun.
Eventually, I'd like to have 1 or 2 Solaris 52 solar panels and 3 or 4 battery packs. I won't be able to run my fridge or AC with it, but fans, lights, and communications should be easy. Where I live here in Houston, we were without power for 3 to 4 days with Alicia in 1983, and for 24 hours with Rita. I'm curious how well we do with Ike.
Any input on solar / battery set-ups would be much appreciated!
Good luck to all in South Texas this weekend!
Patrick, President, www.MyDisasterplan.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Disaster Kit Instructions
Today I'm posting instructions for putting together your 72 hour disaster kit (maybe 96 hour to be more realistic). Any all of that is explained below. This is a nice concise fact sheet discussing the basics of your family disaster kit. As with the previous Hurricane Preparation fact sheet, the original, along with others, can be found at www.MyDisasterPlan.com
Disaster Kit Fact Sheet
Conventional wisdom tells us that in the event of a natural disaster, we should have emergency supplies on hand sufficient to sustain us for 72 hours (three days) without assistance. Recent events have shown that’s some disasters may be of a scope that stretch that time frame given the intensity of the disaster and the ability of government agencies to respond.
This Fact Sheet will help you assemble a 72-hour disaster kit. Understand that by increasing quantities of food, water, medications, diapers and clothes (or ability to wash them) in your kit, you can extend your window of survival.
Our increasing dependence on existing infrastructure for delivery of our food, water, power and transportation needs has left us far more vulnerable to any breakdown in that system. In the “old days” local farmers and community gardens could provide for regional needs even if there was a sizable disaster. In modern times the fragility of our intricate infrastructure is considerable, and is an important reason to ensure that you have a complete Disaster Kit ready at all times.
The items you need to assemble for this disaster kit can be broken down into several broad categories.
Water
Food
First aid
Drugs
Supplies & Tools
Sanitation
Clothing / Bedding
Entertainment
Documents
Special populations (children, elderly, pets)
Don’t let the task of putting together a Disaster Kit seem daunting. Many of the necessary items can generally be found around your house already or added to next week’s shopping list. You might also consider buying a pre-made 72-hour disaster kit, and then adding additional items that you need to make it better for your specific situation.
Water:
Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day. In hot or arid climates, or if you intend to bathe or wash clothes, you will need additional water. The generally accepted formula allows 2 quarts per person per day for drinking, and an additional 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation. This is adequate for survival…not necessarily adequate for living comfortably. This not an item you’ll want to skimp on storing.
You may increase your available water by having the ability to filter and purify water. Those of you who are hikers and campers are familiar with these methods. You can buy small handheld water filters or purifiers that, along with disinfectant tablets, can turn questionable water into drinking water. With these methods, collected rainwater becomes a great source of additional water to extend your survival window.
Water should be stored in plastic containers that are designed for food or drink storage. Do NOT use plastic containers that used to hold chemicals no matter how thoroughly you wash them. You can even find 55 gallon barrels for emergency water storage.
Be sure to refresh your supply at least every six months to prevent having “stale” water after an emergency.
Food:
For a 72-hour disaster kit you need to store three days worth of food for each person you intend to support.
Select foods that do not require refrigeration, require little or no preparation, and little or no water.
Foods should be nutrient dense, not just sugary calories. You should also have a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Here are some good choices:
Meats (canned or in a pouch like tuna)
Juices (canned)
Salt, sugar, spices, pepper, etc (small kits available at camping stores)
Dried fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds
Meals-ready-to-eat (MRE’s) or camping food
Granola or protein bars
Electrolyte replacement powders for water (like Gatorade, Emergen-C, etc.) These supply needed minerals, and can make purified water a little more palatable
Multivitamin / multi-mineral tablets
Make sure you have adequate utensils, can openers, cups, bowls, plates, etc.
First Aid:
You should have a first aid kit in your home, and in each car you drive. You should also consider having a small kit at your office or school.
What you choose to put in your first aid kit will depend on your knowledge and skill level in first aid, but this a list of some basics (increase amounts for groups of more than 4 people):
25 adhesive bandages in various shapes & sizes
10 sterile 4x4” dressings
2 triangle bandages
2 roller gauze
2 rolls cloth medical tape
10 germicidal hand wipes or a bottle of hand sanitizer
6 antiseptic wipes
10 pair non-latex, non sterile medical gloves
2 chemical cold packs
Scissors (trauma shears)
Tweezers (tick tweezers as well)
CPR breathing barrier (plastic barrier for administering CPR)
Medications (non-prescription)
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid
Laxative
Activated charcoal (for use upon instruction by poison control)
KI (potassium iodide – optional for radiation protection)
It is generally recommended that the first aid kit be a separate kit within the disaster kit so it can be removed and used remotely with ease.
Medications:
Make sure that you have an adequate supply of your prescription medications, vitamins and herbs, contact lens solution, glucometer supplies, etc.
Supplies and Tools:
Battery-operated or hand-crank radio, and/or a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assn.)emergency weather radio
Battery-operated or hand-crank flashlights (more than one)
Manual can opener
Pliers
Duct tape
Pocket knife or multi-tool
Shut-off wrench for gas and water
Compass
Whistle
Matches (in waterproof container)
Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
Plastic sheeting (tarps)
Cash (small bills, $50 to $200+)
Aluminum foil
Signal mirror
Signal flare (optional)
Paper & pen or pencil
Emergency sewing kit (small)
Plastic storage containers
Local map
Hammer and roofing nails
Sanitation:
Toilet paper and wet-wipes
Soap and liquid detergent
Plastic garbage bags and ties
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene supplies
Plastic bucket with a tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Clothing / Bedding:
One complete change of clothing and footwear per person
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Rain gear
Sunglasses
Hot or cold weather items as appropriate
Blankets or sleeping bags
Extra socks, underwear, and tee shirts
Camp towels (small, light and very absorbent)
Entertainment:
Simple games for children and adults can help pass the time. Remember that without electricity the regular distractions like television, DVD’s and video games are unavailable. Low tech games and activities are a must to keep children occupied and parents sane.
Documents:
Every agency that makes suggestions for disaster preparedness states that in one form or another, a home inventory, and copies of all of your important documents should be part of your overall Family Disaster Plan, and your Disaster Kit.
Your MyDisasterPlan.com account allows you to easily upload and store these and many other important items onto our secure servers. You can retrieve them in report form at any time from any Internet connection in the world. Many people choose to download their reports as password protected PDF files saved on a flash drive, and placed in their Disaster Kit or “go bag”. Paper copies of these documents (not password protected like the PDF files) may pose a security risk if stored in a Disaster Kit.
Home Inventory:
Flash drive with MyDisasterPlan.com Home Inventory and other reports
Pictures of each room in your home
Pictures of rooms with closets and cabinets open
Pictures of appliances, cars, collectables, jewelry items, etc
Serial numbers of individual appliances and valuable items
Disposable camera to take pictures of damage
Update your MyDisasterPlan.com inventory on a regular basis
Store your inventory in a safe place (water tight and secure)
Important Documents:
Birth certificates
Marriage license
Will
Power of attorney (medical and financial)
Divorce/custody papers
Driver’s license
Professional license
Work related ID
Immigration papers
Special Populations:
Make sure you have appropriate supplies to meet the needs of any infants, elderly, and pets that you will need to care for during an emergency.
Infants will need formula, diapers, wipes, medications, smaller utensils, pacifiers, and small toys.
Elderly family members may need denture supplies, medications, canes, etc.
Pets require food, water, carriers or kennels, shot records, brush, and toys.
Disaster Kit Fact Sheet
Conventional wisdom tells us that in the event of a natural disaster, we should have emergency supplies on hand sufficient to sustain us for 72 hours (three days) without assistance. Recent events have shown that’s some disasters may be of a scope that stretch that time frame given the intensity of the disaster and the ability of government agencies to respond.
This Fact Sheet will help you assemble a 72-hour disaster kit. Understand that by increasing quantities of food, water, medications, diapers and clothes (or ability to wash them) in your kit, you can extend your window of survival.
Our increasing dependence on existing infrastructure for delivery of our food, water, power and transportation needs has left us far more vulnerable to any breakdown in that system. In the “old days” local farmers and community gardens could provide for regional needs even if there was a sizable disaster. In modern times the fragility of our intricate infrastructure is considerable, and is an important reason to ensure that you have a complete Disaster Kit ready at all times.
The items you need to assemble for this disaster kit can be broken down into several broad categories.
Water
Food
First aid
Drugs
Supplies & Tools
Sanitation
Clothing / Bedding
Entertainment
Documents
Special populations (children, elderly, pets)
Don’t let the task of putting together a Disaster Kit seem daunting. Many of the necessary items can generally be found around your house already or added to next week’s shopping list. You might also consider buying a pre-made 72-hour disaster kit, and then adding additional items that you need to make it better for your specific situation.
Water:
Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day. In hot or arid climates, or if you intend to bathe or wash clothes, you will need additional water. The generally accepted formula allows 2 quarts per person per day for drinking, and an additional 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation. This is adequate for survival…not necessarily adequate for living comfortably. This not an item you’ll want to skimp on storing.
You may increase your available water by having the ability to filter and purify water. Those of you who are hikers and campers are familiar with these methods. You can buy small handheld water filters or purifiers that, along with disinfectant tablets, can turn questionable water into drinking water. With these methods, collected rainwater becomes a great source of additional water to extend your survival window.
Water should be stored in plastic containers that are designed for food or drink storage. Do NOT use plastic containers that used to hold chemicals no matter how thoroughly you wash them. You can even find 55 gallon barrels for emergency water storage.
Be sure to refresh your supply at least every six months to prevent having “stale” water after an emergency.
Food:
For a 72-hour disaster kit you need to store three days worth of food for each person you intend to support.
Select foods that do not require refrigeration, require little or no preparation, and little or no water.
Foods should be nutrient dense, not just sugary calories. You should also have a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Here are some good choices:
Meats (canned or in a pouch like tuna)
Juices (canned)
Salt, sugar, spices, pepper, etc (small kits available at camping stores)
Dried fruits, vegetables, and nuts and seeds
Meals-ready-to-eat (MRE’s) or camping food
Granola or protein bars
Electrolyte replacement powders for water (like Gatorade, Emergen-C, etc.) These supply needed minerals, and can make purified water a little more palatable
Multivitamin / multi-mineral tablets
Make sure you have adequate utensils, can openers, cups, bowls, plates, etc.
First Aid:
You should have a first aid kit in your home, and in each car you drive. You should also consider having a small kit at your office or school.
What you choose to put in your first aid kit will depend on your knowledge and skill level in first aid, but this a list of some basics (increase amounts for groups of more than 4 people):
25 adhesive bandages in various shapes & sizes
10 sterile 4x4” dressings
2 triangle bandages
2 roller gauze
2 rolls cloth medical tape
10 germicidal hand wipes or a bottle of hand sanitizer
6 antiseptic wipes
10 pair non-latex, non sterile medical gloves
2 chemical cold packs
Scissors (trauma shears)
Tweezers (tick tweezers as well)
CPR breathing barrier (plastic barrier for administering CPR)
Medications (non-prescription)
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid
Laxative
Activated charcoal (for use upon instruction by poison control)
KI (potassium iodide – optional for radiation protection)
It is generally recommended that the first aid kit be a separate kit within the disaster kit so it can be removed and used remotely with ease.
Medications:
Make sure that you have an adequate supply of your prescription medications, vitamins and herbs, contact lens solution, glucometer supplies, etc.
Supplies and Tools:
Battery-operated or hand-crank radio, and/or a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Assn.)emergency weather radio
Battery-operated or hand-crank flashlights (more than one)
Manual can opener
Pliers
Duct tape
Pocket knife or multi-tool
Shut-off wrench for gas and water
Compass
Whistle
Matches (in waterproof container)
Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
Plastic sheeting (tarps)
Cash (small bills, $50 to $200+)
Aluminum foil
Signal mirror
Signal flare (optional)
Paper & pen or pencil
Emergency sewing kit (small)
Plastic storage containers
Local map
Hammer and roofing nails
Sanitation:
Toilet paper and wet-wipes
Soap and liquid detergent
Plastic garbage bags and ties
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene supplies
Plastic bucket with a tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Clothing / Bedding:
One complete change of clothing and footwear per person
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Rain gear
Sunglasses
Hot or cold weather items as appropriate
Blankets or sleeping bags
Extra socks, underwear, and tee shirts
Camp towels (small, light and very absorbent)
Entertainment:
Simple games for children and adults can help pass the time. Remember that without electricity the regular distractions like television, DVD’s and video games are unavailable. Low tech games and activities are a must to keep children occupied and parents sane.
Documents:
Every agency that makes suggestions for disaster preparedness states that in one form or another, a home inventory, and copies of all of your important documents should be part of your overall Family Disaster Plan, and your Disaster Kit.
Your MyDisasterPlan.com account allows you to easily upload and store these and many other important items onto our secure servers. You can retrieve them in report form at any time from any Internet connection in the world. Many people choose to download their reports as password protected PDF files saved on a flash drive, and placed in their Disaster Kit or “go bag”. Paper copies of these documents (not password protected like the PDF files) may pose a security risk if stored in a Disaster Kit.
Home Inventory:
Flash drive with MyDisasterPlan.com Home Inventory and other reports
Pictures of each room in your home
Pictures of rooms with closets and cabinets open
Pictures of appliances, cars, collectables, jewelry items, etc
Serial numbers of individual appliances and valuable items
Disposable camera to take pictures of damage
Update your MyDisasterPlan.com inventory on a regular basis
Store your inventory in a safe place (water tight and secure)
Important Documents:
Birth certificates
Marriage license
Will
Power of attorney (medical and financial)
Divorce/custody papers
Driver’s license
Professional license
Work related ID
Immigration papers
Special Populations:
Make sure you have appropriate supplies to meet the needs of any infants, elderly, and pets that you will need to care for during an emergency.
Infants will need formula, diapers, wipes, medications, smaller utensils, pacifiers, and small toys.
Elderly family members may need denture supplies, medications, canes, etc.
Pets require food, water, carriers or kennels, shot records, brush, and toys.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Hurricane preparation list
Well it looks like this hurricane season is going to be pretty active for the next couple of weeks. I know that there are lists all over the Internet for hurricane preparations, but in this "fact sheet" I've distilled it down to the most important items / issues from FEMA, The Red Cross, and several other lists (a little bit of my personal experience thrown in there as well). There are other lists for Tornado, Earthquake, Wildfire, Flood, and Disaster kit and "go bag" available for free at www.MyDisasterPlan.com/disinfo.aspx .
Here is the Hurricane information:
Here is the Hurricane information:
Hurricane Fact Sheet
Hurricane season:
Atlantic Hurricane season: June 1 through November 30 annually
Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15 through November 30 annually
Hurricane Strength ratings:
Saffir-Simpson scale:
Tropical depression: Wind speed up to 39 mph
Tropical storm: Wind speed 39–73 mph
Category 1: Wind speed 74-95 mph
Category 2: Wind speed 96-110 mph
Category 3: Wind speed 111-130 mph
Category 4: Wind speed 130-155 mph
Category 5: Wind speed 155+ mph
Hurricane season:
Atlantic Hurricane season: June 1 through November 30 annually
Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15 through November 30 annually
Hurricane Strength ratings:
Saffir-Simpson scale:
Tropical depression: Wind speed up to 39 mph
Tropical storm: Wind speed 39–73 mph
Category 1: Wind speed 74-95 mph
Category 2: Wind speed 96-110 mph
Category 3: Wind speed 111-130 mph
Category 4: Wind speed 130-155 mph
Category 5: Wind speed 155+ mph
Hurricane dangers:
Storm surge: The storm surge usually comes on shore with the bulk of the storm and endangers primarily coastal areas. Storm surges can range from a few inches to 20 feet or more depending on the strength of the storm.
Severe thunderstorms: By their very nature, hurricanes contain strong thunderstorms. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a severe thunderstorm as having winds of at least 58 mph or hail greater than ¾" in diameter (that’s about dime-sized). A storm that spawns a tornado is obviously also considered severe. Lightning strikes are also common with severe storms and can cause considerable damage to people and property.
Wind damage: As the wind speed of a storm increases, so does the potential for wind damage. The fastest winds usually exist close to the eye of the storm and they tend to be progressively weaker as you get farther from the eye.
Flooding: In addition to the dangers of the storm surge, flooding with any tropical system can be wide spread and devastating. The slower a storm moves, and the wider it is determines the amount of rainfall that can be expected over a given area. In general, the majority of the damage inflicted by tropical systems is secondary to the flooding associated with these storms.
Tornadoes: Many hurricanes spawn multiple tornadoes within their rain bands as they come ashore. These tornadoes can cause small pockets of intense local damage within the hurricane’s path, but do not account for the majority of the damage inflicted.
Appropriate actions:
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are expected to occur within 24 to 36 hours. During a hurricane watch, you should do the following:
· Listen to hurricane progress reports (radio, TV, Internet, etc) and have your NOAA emergency weather radio on hand.
· Heed all evacuation recommendations from local officials
· Check your emergency supplies and make any last-minute additions you need to your disaster kit, “go bag” etc. (see our fact sheets on disaster kits and “go bags”)
· Review the back of your emergency wallet card from MyDisasterPlan.com for your Family Disaster Plan summary
· Fill your car’s fuel tank and any spare fuel containers you have (store them properly)
· Secure your outdoor belongings like patio furniture, potted plants, etc.
· Board up windows, close shutters, and secure outdoor antennas
· Consider turning refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings and only open them if absolutely necessary
· Gather drinking water in clean containers and tubs and sinks
· Review your information in MyDisasterPlan.com, ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date
· Download reports from MyDisasterPlan.com in PDF or print forms and keep in your disaster kit (see our fact sheets on Disaster Kits and “go bags”) especially the home inventory, family disaster plan, property report and wallet cards.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less. During a hurricane warning, you should do the following:
· Continue to monitor weather conditions; have a battery-operated TV or radio ready like a NOAA emergency weather radio.
· Get out of mobile homes if at all possible, find a safe structure or evacuate
· Secure valuables and papers in waterproof containers on the highest level of your home or in your disaster kit
· Call your out-of-town contacts listed on your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan and let them know where you plan to be during the storm
During the storm:
· Stay inside and stay away from windows
· Use flashlights as needed, but avoid open flames like candles if at all possible
· Once electrical power is lost, consider un-plugging major appliances to avoid power surges as the power returns later
· Periodically call your out-of-town contact ( from your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan) to provide updates if possible
After the storm:
· Give first aid as needed to your family and neighbors
· Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger, wait for trained rescuers if at all possible
· Check for gas leaks, downed power lines, and sewage leaks; avoid these hazards at all cost
· Watch for snakes and insects displaced by the storm
· Take pictures of the damage to compare to your MyDisasterPlan.com Property Report and Home Inventory (this will be valuable when dealing with your insurance agent)
Storm surge: The storm surge usually comes on shore with the bulk of the storm and endangers primarily coastal areas. Storm surges can range from a few inches to 20 feet or more depending on the strength of the storm.
Severe thunderstorms: By their very nature, hurricanes contain strong thunderstorms. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a severe thunderstorm as having winds of at least 58 mph or hail greater than ¾" in diameter (that’s about dime-sized). A storm that spawns a tornado is obviously also considered severe. Lightning strikes are also common with severe storms and can cause considerable damage to people and property.
Wind damage: As the wind speed of a storm increases, so does the potential for wind damage. The fastest winds usually exist close to the eye of the storm and they tend to be progressively weaker as you get farther from the eye.
Flooding: In addition to the dangers of the storm surge, flooding with any tropical system can be wide spread and devastating. The slower a storm moves, and the wider it is determines the amount of rainfall that can be expected over a given area. In general, the majority of the damage inflicted by tropical systems is secondary to the flooding associated with these storms.
Tornadoes: Many hurricanes spawn multiple tornadoes within their rain bands as they come ashore. These tornadoes can cause small pockets of intense local damage within the hurricane’s path, but do not account for the majority of the damage inflicted.
Appropriate actions:
Hurricane watch: A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are expected to occur within 24 to 36 hours. During a hurricane watch, you should do the following:
· Listen to hurricane progress reports (radio, TV, Internet, etc) and have your NOAA emergency weather radio on hand.
· Heed all evacuation recommendations from local officials
· Check your emergency supplies and make any last-minute additions you need to your disaster kit, “go bag” etc. (see our fact sheets on disaster kits and “go bags”)
· Review the back of your emergency wallet card from MyDisasterPlan.com for your Family Disaster Plan summary
· Fill your car’s fuel tank and any spare fuel containers you have (store them properly)
· Secure your outdoor belongings like patio furniture, potted plants, etc.
· Board up windows, close shutters, and secure outdoor antennas
· Consider turning refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings and only open them if absolutely necessary
· Gather drinking water in clean containers and tubs and sinks
· Review your information in MyDisasterPlan.com, ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date
· Download reports from MyDisasterPlan.com in PDF or print forms and keep in your disaster kit (see our fact sheets on Disaster Kits and “go bags”) especially the home inventory, family disaster plan, property report and wallet cards.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less. During a hurricane warning, you should do the following:
· Continue to monitor weather conditions; have a battery-operated TV or radio ready like a NOAA emergency weather radio.
· Get out of mobile homes if at all possible, find a safe structure or evacuate
· Secure valuables and papers in waterproof containers on the highest level of your home or in your disaster kit
· Call your out-of-town contacts listed on your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan and let them know where you plan to be during the storm
During the storm:
· Stay inside and stay away from windows
· Use flashlights as needed, but avoid open flames like candles if at all possible
· Once electrical power is lost, consider un-plugging major appliances to avoid power surges as the power returns later
· Periodically call your out-of-town contact ( from your MyDisasterPlan.com Family Disaster Plan) to provide updates if possible
After the storm:
· Give first aid as needed to your family and neighbors
· Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger, wait for trained rescuers if at all possible
· Check for gas leaks, downed power lines, and sewage leaks; avoid these hazards at all cost
· Watch for snakes and insects displaced by the storm
· Take pictures of the damage to compare to your MyDisasterPlan.com Property Report and Home Inventory (this will be valuable when dealing with your insurance agent)
Monday, September 1, 2008
Gustav, Hannah, and Ike???
Well I guess the Republican party must have offended somebody important to have this type of distraction from their convention. Honestly, I think the political conventions are 90% hype anyway but I'm sure there's another blog all about that; back to the topic at hand.
I live in Houston, and it looks like we've dodged another bullet so-to-speak this season. I wonder how much more complacent everyone gets each time this happens. I have my Family Disaster Plan (www.MyDisasterPlan.com), disaster kit, and "go bag" ready, but hopefully I won't need them this season.
It looks like LA fared a little better than expected although all of the damage assessments aren't in yet. I hope the Carolina's (Hannah) and wherever Ike goes do just as well. I like a good storm as much as any disaster buff, but they can really be a disruption (at the least).
I remember living through Alicia back in 1983 (?) and we just had tree damage mostly, but we were without power for 3 or 4 days...HOT! Anyway I feel for those folks in LA.
Well this is the first post on my blog...look for much more substantive posts in the near future, I just couldn't resist babbling a little this evening. Let me know what's on your mind, and we'll get into the good stuff!
I live in Houston, and it looks like we've dodged another bullet so-to-speak this season. I wonder how much more complacent everyone gets each time this happens. I have my Family Disaster Plan (www.MyDisasterPlan.com), disaster kit, and "go bag" ready, but hopefully I won't need them this season.
It looks like LA fared a little better than expected although all of the damage assessments aren't in yet. I hope the Carolina's (Hannah) and wherever Ike goes do just as well. I like a good storm as much as any disaster buff, but they can really be a disruption (at the least).
I remember living through Alicia back in 1983 (?) and we just had tree damage mostly, but we were without power for 3 or 4 days...HOT! Anyway I feel for those folks in LA.
Well this is the first post on my blog...look for much more substantive posts in the near future, I just couldn't resist babbling a little this evening. Let me know what's on your mind, and we'll get into the good stuff!
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