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Article Series: Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
What
Do I Do in the Midst of a Hurricane?
Much has been written about what to do before a hurricane makes
landfall in your area. Undoubtedly you have received leaflets
that outline the various emergency preparedness procedures
you need to take before June 1st hits, and perhaps you
have already followed all this advice. Your flood insurance
policy is in place and paid up, you have a family disaster
plan, you have an emergency survival kit and you even have
a plan that includes your pets. You might have already
cleaned up your landscaping to ensure that no dead trees
or tree limbs are threats to your roof or the roofs of
your neighbors.
Nonetheless, you may wonder what – if anything – you should
be doing when you find yourself in the midst of a hurricane.
After all, your survival depends as much on your actions during
a hurricane, as it depends on your wise preparation and planning
before the hurricane ever makes landfall.
- Make sure your battery-operated radio is on and you are listening
to the emergency broadcasts to keep you informed.
- Turn off the water, electricity and gas to your home. If time
permits, fill your bathtub with water to ensure that you have
water available after the storm.
- Remain indoors at all times. There is plenty of footage of
television reporters and those who just simply want to see
the storm surge up close and personal, yet it is important
to realize that this is extremely dangerous, and you should
not join them. Instead, stay inside, and make sure your door
is securely locked, and your windows are closed and shuttered
as well.
- Also go ahead and close all the doors inside your home. This
will prevent any potential glass that might be broken in one
room to affect you in other rooms as well.
- Go into your safe room. This room should not have any windows
or doors that lead outside, but instead it should shield you
from the breaking glass that can occur if something hits your
windows. If you do not have such a room, a closet will do.
- If you are really in a pinch, simply take coverage under a
sturdy table.
When
there is a sudden calm, do not run outside to survey the
damage. This may simply be the eye of the storm that is
passing over your home, and the storms and winds will soon
resume. Being caught off guard will do you more harm than good.
As you can see, it is important to realize that while appropriate
preparations before the storm are important, your behavior
during the storm is just as vital to your safety and survival.
Too often the best laid plans are thwarted, simply because
during the actual emergency event someone may suddenly panic
and decide to go against all of the preparedness plan procedures
she or he put into effect. Similarly, it sometimes happens
that someone who has decided not to evacuate but to remain
in her or his safe room may suddenly decide to leave the home
and follow those who evacuated earlier. The danger during this
period of time – especially considering that the original time
for evacuation may well have passed – is simply the fact that
it is not possible to outrun the storm, and thus you may find
yourself caught up in the pelting rain or twirling tornadoes.
As a matter of fact, the sudden abandoning of your safety
plan will probably put you into more danger than you would
face from simply sitting out the storm itself. If you are unsure
if your plan is sound, go ahead and consult with a first responder,
such as the local fire department or your police department.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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