Hurricane Season is upon us, and KISS 105.3 wants to make sure that you
are over-prepared for these active next few months. Below are some links
to websites that will give you up to date weather information; some
information on what to do in order to be prepared and also what to do
after the storm; plus some basic knowledge for the curious.
You can get the latest storm and community resource information for
Alachua County by dialing 3-1-1.
Check out the current weather conditions:
National
Hurricane
Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
In order to be fully prepared for a hurricane, there are a few things that should be done.
Here is all the information you will need to get ready to keep your family safe:
Putting together a Disaster Supply Kit is simple. Here are some things you should
make sure to include:
Water (at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days)
Food (at least enough for 3 to 7 days)
~ non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
~ foods for infants or the elderly
~ snack foods
~ non-electric can opener
~ cooking tools / fuel
~ paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets, pillows, etc.
First Aid kit/medicines/prescription drugs
Toiletries/hygiene items/moisture wipes
Flashlight and batteries
Cell phones(fully charged cellular phone, and a traditional, non-cordless
telephone)
Cash(with some small bills) and credit cards(banks and ATMs
might not be available for extended periods of time)
Toys, books and games for the children
Important documents, such as insurance documents, social security
cards,etc.(make sure to keep these in a waterproof container or a
water-tight resealable container)
Tools(keep a set with you during the storm)
Pet care items
~ proper identification, immunization papers, medications
~ good supply of food and water
~ carrier, cage or crate
~ muzzle and leash
And don't forget to make sure all vehicles have plenty of fuel,
since the gas station pumps will most likely be down after a bad storm
Discuss a family plan
1.
Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your family.
Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
2.
Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for
each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas
may not be your home but within your community
3.
Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.
These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
4.
Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family
members have a single point of contact.
5.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to
evacuate.
6.
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually
covered by homeowners insurance.
7.
Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
8.
Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every
6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
Very important is the securing of your home.One of the best ways to protect your
home from damage in wind storms is to install impact-resistant shutters over all
large windows and doors. They can reduce damage caused by sudden pressure
changes when a window or door is broken. Laminated window systems(plastic
bonded to glass) is another good choice. In past hurricanes, many homeowners
upon return have found that their temporary plywood shutters have
blown off because they were not adequately fastened.
If your residence has permanent shutters, evaluate their effectiveness. If you
are not sure if they are strong enough, take these precautions:
~ Install head and foot bolts on the inactive door of double-entry doors
~ Make sure your doors have at least 3 hinges and a dead bolt security
lock which has a minimum of 1inch bolt throw length
~ On double entry doors, check the connections at the header trim or threshold
Another thing that you don't want to forget is the protection of the furrier members
of your family. 90% of unidentified pets never see their owners again, so a good
idea might be to get them microchipped. Other than that, here are some things
to remember for before, during and after the storm.
Before the storm:
~ If you will be dropping off your pet at a shelter, make sure
to work that into your evacuation route.
~ Make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccinations,
because pet shelters will most likely require proof of vaccines.
~ Have a current photograph
~ Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash
on hand to control your pet.
~ Have a properly sized pet carrier for each animal- carriers
should be large enough for the animals to stand and turn around.
~ Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet
~ Find out which hotels outside your immediate area accept pets,
and find out what restrictions there are regarding size, number of
pets, and breeds.Also, ask if "no pet" policies can be lifted during
an emergency.
~ Go to www.petswelcome.com to search for pet-friendly hotels
and motels.
~ Make sure to discuss with a neighbor the possibility of them
picking up your pet should an evacuation be ordered and you are
not home.
During the storm:
~ Service animals that assist those in your family with disabilities
are allowed in Red Cross shelters
~ Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: proper
identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all
belongings, a carrier, a leash, ample supply of food and water,
water and food bowls, medications, specific care instructions
and newspapers and trash bags for clean-up.
After the storm:
~ Animals will be disoriented with the area after a storm because
familiar scents landmarks will no longer be around, so walk them
around on their leash to get reacquainted. Make sure to be
careful of down power lines, reptiles brought in with high water, and
debris.
~ If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact your local
animal shelter to see if your pet has been recovered. Make sure to
bring a current picture of the missing pet with you.
~ After a disaster, animals can be aggressive or defensive, so make
sure to monitor their behavior.
Here are some more websites for further information on disaster preparations for
your pets:
Florida State Emergency Response Team: www.floridadisaster.org
Humane Society of the U.S: www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/
In case you would like to contact your local Office of Emergency
Management for more information, here are the websites for each
respective county:
Alachua: http://www.alachua-em.org/
Columbia: http://www.columbiacountyem.com/
Dixie: http://www.dixieemergency.com/
Gilchrist: http://gilchrist.fl.us/
Levy: http: http://www.levydisaster.com
Putnam: http://www.putnam-fl.com/brd/PCPS/EmergencyService.htm
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And just in case you tend to get confused by what exactly the different related terms mean,
here are a few definitions:
What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally
forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere,
a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface.
Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum
sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less
Tropical Storm
An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained
winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots)
Hurricane
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and
maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher
Severe Weather Watch
A severe weather watch indicates that the probabilities of a particular severe weather storm are high,
and is an alert to the public of such severe weather conditions
Severe Weather Warning
A severe weather warning indicates that a particular severe weather storm has actually been sighted
in an area or indicated by radar, and serves notice to the public that severe weather conditions are
almost certain to occur.
