May 20th, 2005 - Almost a year ago
millions of pairs of eyes were glued
to television sets. It was not a celebrity
trial, an election, or a war event that
triggered such mass attention; it was,
of course, storm coverage. Millions
of residents who experienced last year’s
hurricane season learned a deep respect
for nature. But thousands of new residents
who have moved to central Florida since
then, and the thousands who plan on
visiting, may need our experienced help.
Now is the time to prepare. Remember
the long lines, empty shelves and non-existent
plywood? Are you like me and have long
since eaten your leftover stock of non-perishables?
A few pointers for hurricane
preparation:
The pointers in this article are abbreviated
and are no way intended to fit everybody's
situation; however, we hope this gives
you a good start . . .
1) Create a well-researched checklist.
Gather as much material as you can about
hurricane preparation.
2) Make a family plan that everyone
can understand and execute. This must
include a safe meeting place inside
and outside of your home.
3) Keep your generator outdoors and
in a place where it will remain completely
dry. Garages and attics do not "count"
as outdoors. Obey the manufacturer's
directions for use.
4) Understand your home's insurance
policy. This step is critical, as many
people learned last year. Keep and accurate
inventory of your belongings and keep
the inventory in a safe place (such
as a safe-deposit box).
5) Keep your documents well protected.
When in doubt, secure it. Again, a safe-deposit
box is the best place to store your
important documents, but do not forget
to make copies to keep with you (which
in turn should be kept in an fire-and-water-proof
evacuation box).
6) Get plenty of fuel for your car,
grill or other cooking devices, generator,
etc, and store them safely.
7) Buy your storm-proofing materials
now. Consider what tools you will need
and how long it can take to properly
board a window. Taping an "x"
on your windows is like putting a band-aid
on a severed limb. Just stay clear of
windows at all costs, especially if
you did not get to board them. Flying
glass is extremely dangerous. Clear
the areas around windows of anything
that can potentially become flying debris.
8)
Know your evacuation route and have
two predetermined places to go. If your
think you need to evacuate, evacuate.
If an evacuation is recommended, go.
DO NOT wait for a mandatory evacuation.
We all know I-4, I-275, I-75, SR 301,
and the bridges can get backed up even
on the nicest of days. Leave well in
advance (and don't forget your pets).
9) Trim those suspicious branches as
soon as possible. Be very mindful of
where your car will be parked in the
event that you stay home during a hurricane.
Not only does your vehicle need to be
free from the threat of falling (or
flying) tree limbs, it needs to be parked
away from flood areas.
10) Clear your yard of objects and keep
your pool filled (about a foot from
the top) and well chlorinated.
11) Prepare your home for flooding,
especially if your area is prone to
floods. Be mindful of how many appliances
are plugged into the walls, have bricks
to raise your furniture.
Have an emergency kit:
1) You can never have too much safe
drinking water. Have at least ten gallons
for each member of your household for
drinking, cooking, and cleansing.
2) Have a couple weeks worth of medication.
Get your prescriptions filled in advance.
3) Keep a weeks worth of non-perishable
food and a way to prepare the food (don't
forget pet food).
4) Batteries for flashlights (no candles),
cordless radios, cell-phones and hearing
aids.
5) Have a first aid kit and make sure
every member of your household knows
what is in it.
6) Be sanitary (have toiletries, antiseptics,
bleach, and waste bags) and prepare
for pest control (mosquitoes love a
wet aftermath).
7) Have cash.
Do not overlook the possible
dangers that are present after a hurricane
passes:
1) Have enough food to last a week past
the storm, not just for the storm's
duration.
2) Drive with extreme caution. If you
do not need to venture out in your vehicle,
stay at home! The roads will be littered
with debris, power may be out, and road
rage is guaranteed. If the road looks
flooded, don't take a chance. Be defensive
and respectful. Treating intersections
without power (and without traffic cops)
as four-way stops is not only practical
and safe, it is the law! It doesn't
matter how many lanes your road has,
or how many other vehicles are ignoring
the rule, stop, stop, stop. You can
never know if "the other guy"
will yield. Last year I did have to
venture out to find food, and I noted
how well people observed the stopping
rule on 40th Street, but completely
ignored it on Dale Mabry. Remember,
in the state of Florida, the right-of-way
is never taken, it's given.
3) Other people's calamities are not
tourist attractions.
4) Keep your pet leashed or indoors.
No matter how tired you are of Fido's
whining, a debris-filled landscape is
just as dangerous for him as it is for
you. Be on the lookout for stray and
lost dogs. A minor adjustment to outdoor
surroundings can greatly impact an animal
that gets its bearings from the smallest
landmarks. Animals can become defensive
and agitated as a result.
5) Be mindful of the time taken on the
phone. 2.5 million Tampa Bay residents
will be trying to reach their loved
ones, and phone lines can be jammed.
6) If your property has suffered damages,
take as many pictures as possible, as
soon as possible. If you are returning
home from an evacuation, be on guard
for gas leaks, animals that may have
come indoors, and standing water.
7) You may be the first one to notice
a downed power line, a water line rupture,
or some other dangerous condition. Do
not ignore the danger, and do not try
to rectify a situation yourself. If
you can, please notify the proper authorities.
8) If your power is out, keep your freezer
and refrigerator doors closed. Drink
bottled water.
9) Watch your children. They may be
excited, scared, or both. Dangerous
debris and flooded areas may seem like
the perfect playground in their eyes.
Make sure they understand the dangers
present after a storm.
