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What to Do in Case of Hurricane Before, During, and After

Hurricanes can be scary and disastrous, but that doesn’t mean you cannot prepare for them. With the proper preparation, you can ready yourself for before, during, and after the storm. By knowing what to do in case of hurricane events, you can keep your family safe and sound. Please take a look at the list we’ve provided below of safety tips and tricks to follow in preparing for a hurricane, staying safe while it’s happening, and dealing with its aftermath.

What to Do Before a Hurricane

With prior warning, there are a lot of precautions you can take to prepare for a natural disaster. Here’s what to do in case of hurricane warnings, to help you prepare the best way you can.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

emergency kit bag

Emergency kits are great for any type of disaster or emergency, but in the event of a hurricane, they can be vital. Your emergency kit should include at least 1 gallon of water per person (per day, for at least 3 days), a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, batteries and a radio, flashlights, a first-aid kit, whistles or flares, extra clothes, maps, medications (if necessary), supplies for your pet/s, and a warm blanket/sleeping bag for each person, according to FEMA.

Should you lose power or are forced to evacuate, your basic supplies should be ready-to-go. Including a disposable or digital camera with extra film/batteries could also be beneficial, to ensure you can document damage properly.

Make a Plan

Be sure to communicate with your family and discuss a plan that is understood by each member. Each member of the family should know their role and know exactly what to do in case of hurricane emergencies.

Educate Yourself and Secure Your Property

Try to figure out the elevation of your property, which areas are flood-prone, and determine which areas of your property will be most affected. Also, ensure that you know your community’s evacuation routes. You should cover all your home’s windows (preferably with permanent storm shutters or plywood). Remove all loose items from your property and exterior of the home, reinforce your garage door/s, and install generators. Preparing your home can help minimize damage.

Stay Alert

Epica Digital Emergency Solar Hand Crank AM/FM/NOAA Radio

A battery-operated radio is a great way to always get up-to-date information on emergencies. Listen carefully for instructions, and always follow your family’s plan as well as the community’s.

When Told to, EVACUATE

If there is ever an emergency-alert, advising you to evacuate, it is imperative you do so. Evacuations are only issued when the hurricane-threat is extremely dangerous and staying behind could mean risking your property and life.

What to Do During a Hurricane

It is essential to know what to do in case of hurricane emergencies, because quick-thinking is invaluable. When you’ve finished preparing and the hurricane arrives, follow these steps:

Always Stay Inside

If asked to evacuate, you should follow your community’s evacuation routes and remember to take your emergency kits with you. If you have not been asked to evacuate, you may not be out of danger yet. When the hurricane arrives, be sure to always stay indoors. Stay away from windows, doors, and other areas of the house that are more susceptible to damage. Try hunkering down in an interior room on the lower level of the home.

Do not go outside for any reason. According to The University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, there could be periods of calm, followed by periods of extreme wind and hurricane-force. It is essential to stay indoors unless alerted to do otherwise.

Turn off Your Electricity

Turn off Your Electricity

Often in emergencies, it can be easy to panic and forget simple things. When the hurricane has arrived, be sure to turn off your electricity at the main breaker, to avoid fires and other dangers. Also, do not try to use any power-driven appliances or devices during the hurricane.

Don’t Forget Your Essentials

No matter where you are, whether it be hunkered down in your home or in an evacuation shelter, always make sure your emergency kits are easily accessed and can be easily carried with you in a moment’s notice. Use your kits sparingly, because it is better to be prepared for future-need.

Listen to Emergency Broadcasts

Emergency broadcasts will be your lifeline during a hurricane, especially when you have lost power. Having your radio handy can alert you to evacuations, rescue efforts, and tell you when the danger has passed. Always listen to these broadcasts for the most up-to-date instructions.

What to Do After a Hurricane

It can be hard to determine what to do in case of hurricane emergencies, after it has passed. Following these steps can help make for an easier transition after the hurricane has hit:

Keep Your Guard Up

Just because the worst of the hurricane is over, doesn’t mean all the danger has passed. Always listen to your broadcast system or the local news for the latest updates and follow instructions promptly. If you were asked to evacuate, only return when officials deem it safe.

Keep Away from Danger

Stay away from flooded areas, including roads and washed out bridges. Follow safety routes outlined by officials, and always stay away from loose power lines and electric wires. According to The American National Red Cross, you should avoid drinking or using water until you know it is no contaminated, check food for spoilage, and wear protective clothing during clean-up.

Document Everything

No matter how small the damage may appear, you should document and photograph every bit of your property and home. This will come in-handy when it comes to reporting your damage for insurance claims.

Start to Rebuild

rebuilding after hurricane

For serious damage, you’ll want to seek professional help. For most people who have insurance, your hurricane-damage should be covered. Before serious construction can be done, you can ensure windows are covered with wood, and clean up the best you can. Try to keep all of your receipts, report your losses as soon as possible, and return all necessary claim forms.

Summing Up

Knowing what to do in case of hurricane disasters can mean the difference between life and death. With the proper preparations before-hand and the correct actions during the storm, you can endure and keep your family safe. Always remember to educate yourself, be prepared, listen to local broadcasts, and think smart.

What do you think of our hurricane preparation list? Feel free to share your emergency experiences and tell us what you would add.

Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4

5 Facts about the Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge

Many people remember seeing the images of the Hurricane Katrina storm surge rage through New Orleans several years ago while watching the TV from the comfort of their homes. This event took place on August 29, 2005, and it is among the most damaging and deadly events of its kind. While many watched the events unfold on TV, many others lived through the event firsthand. As publicized as this event was, many people are not fully aware of the actual facts surrounding the Hurricane Katrina storm surge. By analyzing the facts of the event, you may gain more insight about what actually happened.

Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge Facts

Hurricane Katrina
Image Source: Wikipedia

A Mandatory Evacuation Order Was Issued for New Orleans

The day before the Hurricane Katrina storm surge hit New Orleans, the city’s mayor, Ray Nagin, issued a mandatory evacuation order. This was the first mandatory order of its kind. Approximately 80 percent of the city’s population had followed the mayor’s instructions and had evacuated by the evening hours. He also set up the Superdome as a refugee area for those who could not leave the city. With a population of close to 500,000 residents, approximately 112,000 could not gain access to a car. This included the disabled, elderly and impoverished citizens. However, only 10,000 initially sought refuge in the Superdome. Most others decided to remain in their homes despite the mandatory evacuation order.

The Storm Surge Was Intense and Rapid

The hurricane initially hit the coast of Louisiana early in the morning on August 29. You may be aware that the levees that kept storm surges out of the inhabited areas were breached during the Hurricane Katrina storm surge. You may not be aware that by only 9 AM that morning, many of the levees had been breached, and water was rapidly surging into the area.

Many miles from the coastline, the water level was so high that residents who decided to remain in their homes had to climb on top of the roofs of their home. In fact, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of the area was under water by this time. The residents who remained in their homes essentially were trapped and urgently needed help from first responders.

Hurricane Katrina storm surge flooding
Image Source: History.com

The Storm Weakened before Hitting Louisiana

Hurricane Katrina rolled through the Gulf Coast during a very active hurricane season. The hurricane originally struck Florida on August 26 as it made its way into the Gulf of Mexico. At that time, it was a weak Category 1 hurricane. It caused two deaths in Florida and moderate property damage.

Because of how active the hurricane season was, this hurricane did not initially receive much attention. However, Hurricane Katrina stalled in the Gulf of Mexico. As it churned, it grew to a massive Category 5 hurricane on August 28. On that day, the National Weather Service stated that there would be tremendous damage throughout the Gulf Coast region and that many areas may be uninhabitable for days.

The storm actually weakened to a Category 3 hurricane before it hit New Orleans head on. While the hurricane damage was moderate, the real impact of the storm came from the devastating Hurricane Katrina storm surge that took place because the levees broke.

The Death Toll Could Have Been Much Worse

Hitting the coast as a Category 3 hurricane, the storm weakened quickly. Within six hours, it was downgraded to a tropical storm. However, the aftermath of the storm was chaotic and deadly. Approximately 1,833 people lost their lives because of this hurricane. The storm surge was as high as 28 feet in some areas.

As deadly as this storm was, it is important to note that it could have been much worse. For example, the storm increased in size rather quickly, and the mayor acted rapidly to issue the mandatory evacuation order. The majority of the city’s residents followed the order. If these two factors were not in place, the death toll may have been exponentially higher. Furthermore, if the storm had struck land as a Category 5 hurricane and if it had not weakened so quickly, the devastation may have been much more significant and widespread.

Houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
Image Source: FEMA.gov

The Controversy Surrounding the Hurricane Continues

While this storm hit ground more than a decade ago, many people still feel its effects and hold resentment over certain aspects of the event. For example, the levees were breached because of incompetence by the Army Corps of Engineers that built them. Furthermore, everyone from the FEMA director to the national, state and local governments were criticized for responding slowly in providing assistance to the victims. There was even an investigation into the matter by the U.S. House of Representatives, and they ultimately determined that there was a failure of initiative in this matter.

While more than 300,000 residents have moved away from New Orleans since the hurricane, the city has improved in many areas. For example, new levees have been built that are now taller; they are implanted as much as 65 feet into the ground for stability. There are also better plans in place to assist with removing the elderly and disabled from the city when an evacuation is issued. Nonetheless, the city continues to be rebuilt, and as long as signs of the devastation remain, the controversy surrounding the storm remains.

Summing Up

When a devastating event such as the Hurricane Katrina storm surge hits, mass casualties often cause people to point fingers. However, it is important to note that there was a huge relief effort that continued on for years to help the victims of this tragedy. This includes an initial response from the American Red Cross, the Coast Guard, FEMA and others. It also includes FEMA housing and relocation assistance for those who needed long-term support after the incident. Some are continuing to rebuild their lives, and the lessons learned from this event may prevent future tragedies from occurring.

What to Do if Caught in Severe Storms: Essential Survival Tips

Severe storms come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s no surprise that people get confused about the safest course of action. What’s good for one severe storm situation isn’t always good for the next.

This article will explain the safest courses of action for the most common types of severe storms: floods, hail, lightening, high winds and tornadoes, and blizzards. You are often faced with several of these emergencies at once, but if you know what to do in each situation, you can keep your cool and find a safe place to ride it out.

5 Types of Severe Storms and How to Stay Safe

Flooding

man pushing his car through flood waters
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Flooding killed 126 people in 2016 alone. It is by far one of the most dangerous consequence of severe storms that a human can face, and also one of the most preventable causes of death. This is because most flooding deaths occur when a driver tries to move through shallow water and is swept away. The truth is that it only takes 18 inches of water to carry away a small car. Once you are in deeper water, you’re at great risk of drowning because flood water flows so fast it’s like trying to swim through a riptide.

If you are in this situation:

  • Remain calm.
  • Immediately unlock your doors.
  • Remove your seat belt and roll down your windows.
  • If you are wearing a heavy jacket, remove it because it will make it harder to swim.
  • Climb out through the windows if you can and get to high ground.

If you can’t open your windows, you must wait for the car to fill with water to open the doors. Don’t waste your energy trying to open the doors before the water pressure equalizes. You will need that energy to swim. Instead, stay very calm, look for the nearest safe location to swim to. Take a very deep breath at the last minute and push hard on the doors, they will open when the water pressure has equalized.

Hail

how hail looks like
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Hail can reach near 100 mph by the time it hits the ground. That means that even small hail can kill if it hits your unprotected head. So, during severe storms, make sure you find shelter before the hail starts. If you are in a building, stay away from windows as sideways falling hail can shatter them and injure you severely.

If you are out in the open with no better shelter, get in your car. DO NOT try to shelter under a lone tree as it will draw lightening. A stand of several trees can be safer if there is no other option. If you are in an open field without even this possibility, get down on the ground in a crouching or fetal position and cover your head and the back of your neck to protect them. Shield your spine as well, even if you can only do so by lying on your side with your hands over your face and neck.

Lightning

how to crouch in the lightning strike safety position
Image Source: Outdoors.StackExchange.com

Believe it or not, you can survive a lightning strike, but the best bet is not to get hit in the first place. The obvious is to seek shelter immediately when the storm approaches and wait inside until 30 minutes after you year the last sound of thunder. Lightning can travel for miles.

If you are caught in the open, DON’T hide under a lone tree. If you can hide in an area that is lower than and near to but not too close to a dense growth of trees, this can help, but never hide near a tall isolated object. Also, don’t lie flat on the ground. It just increases surface area for damage.

Instead:

  • Move away from anything metal so you aren’t touching it.
  • Crouch low as you can.
  • Lift up your heels so only the balls of your feet are touching the ground to minimize contact.
  • TOUCH YOUR HEELS TOGETHER (this helps the electricity to only arc from one foot to the other instead of entering your entire body).
  • Cover your ears with your hands to protect them from hearing loss.

Should the hair on the back of your neck stand up, you need to assume the above position immediately.

High Winds or Tornadoes

car facing a tornado
Image Source: Reliable-Remodeler

First, if caught outside during these types of severe storms, do not try to seek shelter under a highway overpass. As the wind is pushed through an overpass, it actually increases in velocity, which increases your chances of being swept away.

If you are driving and you can still safely drive, don’t try to outrun a tornado because they can travel at 70mph, which is not a safe speed to drive in a severe storm. Instead, if you are still safely driving, angle away from it at 90 degrees.

If the storm is catching you, you need to exit the car and find shelter. If none is available, you should lie in a ditch as far away from trees, cars and large objects as possible. Protect your head and spine in the same way as you would during a hail storm.

The same advice goes for high winds, AKA straight line winds, which can be almost as dangerous as a tornado. Straight line winds knock over cars and people, so if you are facing these, you need to lie flat in a ditch till they pass.

Blizzards

car stuck in snow after a blizzard
Image Source: SafeBee.com

Prevention and preparedness are key to surviving these types of severe storms. If you are caught in your car, turn off the engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and break out your emergency kit which should include prepackaged snacks, water and lots of blankets, boots, gloves and coats. It should also have a well sealed container for melting snow in case you run out of water. You must stay hydrated to stay warm.

You can turn the engine on every few minutes to warm the car and keep it from locking up; just don’t run it continuously. If you are on the side of the road, keep your seat belt on and turn on your hazards. You can still be hit by someone else who is trying to drive through.

If you are not in a car, seek shelter out of the wind and keep moving to keep your body warm. Remember, hydration is the most important thing you will need in this situation. Your body can stay warm more easily if you are well hydrated.

A Word of Ending

These are only basic beginners tips for surviving severe weather. However, they cover the leading causes of death in each situation. All are a very good starting point that you should learn and memorize. The National Weather Service also has a great deal of information on this topic. Weather.gov is another great source. Ultimately, the way to survive severe storms is to stay calm, think clearly and take decisive action to protect yourself at the first sign.

Do you have any severe weather tips that you would like to share? Please comment below!

Where and How Do Hurricanes Form?

Among the most aggressive storms on Earth, hurricanes can reach as far as 600 miles wide. These storms form along the equator over temperate ocean waters and typically last over a week. Hurricanes require specific conditions to form and play an important role in moving heat from tropical regions to more temperate zones. Understanding where and how do hurricanes form is crucial to efficiently predict their impact and navigate the potential cataclysmic effects they can render.

satellite image of a hurricane

What Is a Hurricane?

Also known as tropical cyclones, hurricanes are storms that form over tropical and subtropical waters. The storms are comprised of groups of organized thunderstorms with no fronts. To be classified as a hurricane the storm front must follow a rotating motion and be part of a low-pressure system. When these storms have surface winds less than 39 miles per hour, they are known as tropical depressions. As they pick up speed and reach win speeds of 39 miles per hour, they become known as tropical storms.

After a tropical storm reaches a maximum wind speed of 74 miles per hour, it becomes known as a hurricane. Hurricanes are classified by their relative wind speed using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which has a numerical rating from 1 to 5. The higher the number or category a hurricane is given, the greater potential it has for damage.

In theory, hurricanes may occur nearly any time. However, they are most common during “Hurricane Season” between June 1 and November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center predicts and tracks these storm systems. It has found that they often occur around 12 times per year in the Atlantic basin.

How Do Hurricanes Form?

Tropical cyclones require specific conditions to form. The first component needed for a hurricane to begin forming is warm, moist air. This air serves as the “fuel” needed for the storm to engage and further develop. The warm, moist air needed only forms over warm ocean water, which is why these cyclones form almost exclusively in the tropics regions where the ocean temperature is warmer – typically 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to warm, moist air, the storm also needs wind to form. This wind must pass over the ocean’s surface, causing water to evaporate and rise. This movement and the subsequent rising of the water vapor causes it to cool and condense into water droplets. The condensation forms large cumulonimbus clouds that are one of the first indicators that a storm is brewing.

Meteorologists who study how do hurricanes form have divided the development of hurricanes into four stages: tropical disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm, and tropical cyclone.

How Do Hurricanes Form

1. Tropical Disturbance

As water vapor that arises from warm ocean water condenses, it forms clouds and releases heat into the air. This heated air rises and forms columns of clouds. Evaporation and condensation persist and build the columns of clouds taller and wider. A pattern begins to develop, and wind begins circulating down the center. As this moving formation broaches additional clouds, a cluster of thunderstorms is formed, which is known as a tropical disturbance.

2. Tropical Depression

As the group of thunderstorm clouds grows ever taller and wider, air at the height of the cloud column begins cooling, making it unstable. The process of cooling water vapor releases heat energy, so the air at the top of the column becomes warmer. This increase in temperature as increases the air pressure, making winds move outward and away from the high pressure area. Continued movement and warming forces the pressure at the surface to drop. This creates a cycle in which the air at the surface shifts toward the lower pressure areas, rises, and generates additional thunderstorms. Wind in the columns begins spinning faster, creating a circular spinning motion. As the winds reach speeds between 25 and 39 miles per hour, the storm becomes known as a tropical depression.

3. Tropical Storm

As the storm picks up additional speed and winds reach a rate of 39 miles per hour, the depression develops into what is known as a tropical storm. The winds also begin blowing faster and start twisting and turning around the eye, or the still center, of the storm. In the northern hemisphere, wind direction moves from west to east, and in the southern hemisphere, it moves east to west. This unique phenomenon is known as the Coriolis Effect.

4. Tropical Cyclone

As the storm continues to pick up speed reaches wind speeds of 74 miles per hour, the storm officially becomes known as a tropical cyclone. At this point, the storm is likely at least 50,000 feet high and nearly 125 miles across, and the eye is between 5 and 30 miles wide. The movement of the wind and the force of the pressure in the air, create a mound of water at the base of the storm, which can cause catastrophic storm surges as the storm moves inland.

Where Do Hurricanes Occur Most Often?

hurricane taking place

Knowing how do hurricanes form is not the only thing that helps understand these storms. Knowing where they occur is also important.

To form, hurricanes need all of the right “ingredients.” As such, these tropical storms occur near shores and coastlines. In particular, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans produce the largest number of tropical cyclones. More specifically, the West Pacific tends to generate far more hurricanes than the Atlantic. Depending on where the storm generates, a number of areas may be impacted, including the Philippines, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the southern United States, including Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

To date, only one hurricane has ever formed in the South Atlantic – Hurricane Catarina – because of how do hurricanes form. Most Atlantic cyclones form between August and September.

In any case, the atmosphere has a lot to do with the creation of tropical storms because of how do hurricanes form.

To form, the right conditions must align, including:

• Warm sea-surface temperatures, typically greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Weak vertical wind shear.
• Moist, unstable atmosphere.
• Appropriate distance in relation to the equator.

Hurricanes are unique storm systems that form under very specific atmospheric conditions. They occur in the tropics and most often in the Pacific. A tropical storm develops through four stages before becoming a full-fledged hurricane. Once formed, hurricanes often continue moving until they encounter a force that slows them down.

In many cases, that means that the storm will continue moving until it meets land where it is no longer being fed by the energy necessary to drive them. Recent weather research and tracking has given meteorologists more information on how do hurricanes form, allowing them to predict and even mediate tropical storms more effectively.

IMAGE SOURCE: 1, 2, 3

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poisonous snake lying on the rock