|
|
A Guide to Hurricane
Preparedness - FEMA
KNOW YOUR RISKS FOR HURRICANES
One of the most dramatic, damaging and potentially damaging weather
events that occur in this country is a hurricane. Fortunately, there are
measures that can be taken by individuals and communities before a
hurricane strikes to reduce vulnerability to hurricane hazards. During a
hurricane, homes, businesses, public buildings, roads and power lines
may be damaged or destroyed by high winds and floodwaters. Debris can
break windows and doors. Roads and bridges can be washed away by flash
flooding or blocked by debris. The force of wind alone can cause
tremendous devastation, toppling trees and power lines and undermining
weak areas of buildings. These storms costs USA millions, if not
billions, of dollars in damage annually. But there are ways to offset
such destruction. Simple construction measures, such as placing storm
shutters over exposed glass or installing hurricane straps on roofs,
have proved effective in lessening damage when hurricanes strike.
Communities can reduce vulnerability to hurricanes by adopting and
enforcing building codes for wind and flood resistance. Sound land-use
planning also can ensure that structures are not built in high-hazard
areas.A goal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA is to help
prevent future damage from disasters by providing information as well as
direct, hands-on help when needed. Building disaster-resistant
communities is an achievable goal. It requires action by individuals,
businesses and local governments. Working together, we can reduce the
number of lives, property and businesses lost the next time a hurricane
strikes.
THE POWER OF HURRICANES
Walls torn from concrete buildings, 15-foot trees ripped from the earth,
20-foot waves crashing to shore. The power of hurricanes is
awesome.Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes. Floods and flash floods are
generated by torrential rains that accompany hurricanes. Even more
dangerous is the storm surge -- a dome of ocean water that, at its peak,
can be 25 feet high and 50-100 miles wide. The surge can devastate
coastal communities as it sweeps ashore.A hurricane is a tropical
weather system with winds that have reached a sustained speed of 74 mph
or more. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm
center, known as the "eye." The eye is generally 20-30 miles wide, and
the storm may extend outward from it for 400 miles.
As a hurricane approaches, the sky darkens and winds strengthen. As it
nears land, it can bring torrential rains, high winds and storm surges.
A hurricane can stretch the entire length of the eastern seaboard. The
74-160 mph winds can extend inland for hundreds of miles.Hurricanes are
classified into five categories according to wind velocity. Category 1
is the mildest, with
winds from 74-95 mph. Category 5 is the strongest, with winds above 155
mph.August and September are peak months of hurricane season, which
lasts from June 1 to November 30.
We can depend on hurricanes to arrive each year along our eastern,
southern and Gulf coasts, but we cannot depend on luck or chance to
protect us. The power and strength of hurricanes demands respect, as
anyone who has seen up close the terrible devastation they can cause can
attest. Hurricane winds can topple trees, tear homes from their
foundations and toss boats around like toys. But wind is often not the
worst damage hurricanes bring. The ocean surge and flooding that follow
in its wake can do even more harm. Storm surges have been known to go 25
miles inland, submerging cars and flooding houses in its path.There is
nothing we can do to prevent hurricanes from forming year after year,
but there is a lot we can do to reduce or even prevent the damage they
cause. This newsletter contains some helpful information on how to
better prepare and protect your family and property from the ravages of
a hurricane.
I hope you will assess the risks you face and take steps to limit those
risks. These preventive measures are some of the best investments you
can make, and they will allow you to face the next hurricane better
prepared, knowing you are ready to weather the storm.
WEATHER TERMS USED FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Part of staying informed about weather conditions is understanding the
different terms used by weather forecasters.
Following are some of the most common terms:
Advisory: Hurricane and storm information is disseminated to the public
every six hours.
Special Advisory: Information is disseminated when there is significant
change in storm-related weather conditions.
Gale Warning: Sustained winds of 35-54 mph and strong wave action are
expected.
Storm Warning: Sustained winds of 55-73 mph are expected.
Hurricane Watch: There is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36
hours.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane is expected to strike within 24 hours or
less, with sustained winds of 74 mph or more and dangerously high water.
Tropical Disturbance:A moving area of thunderstorms is in the tropics.
Tropical Depression: An area of low pressure, rotary circulation of
clouds and winds up to 38 mph is identified.
Tropical Storm: A storm characterized by counterclockwise circulation of
clouds and winds 39-73 is brewing.
PREPARE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN NOW
A well-thought-out plan of action for you and your family can go a long
way toward reducing potential suffering from any type of disaster that
could strike. With hurricane season upon us, preparing your family
disaster plan is the first step.
Household emergency plans should be kept simple. The best emergency
plans are those that are easy to remember.
Maintaining a link to the outside can be crucial. Keep a
battery-operated radio and extra batteries on hand as part of your
disaster supply kit. Make sure family members know where the radio is
kept. Be sure to include pets in your family disaster plan.
Post emergency numbers (fire, police, ambulance) by the phone. Teach
children how to call 911 for help.
Teach responsible family members how to turn off the utilities in your
home.
Identify family meeting places in case you are separated. Choose a place
in a building or park outside your neighborhood. Everyone should be
clear about this location. Develop an emergency communication plan. Ask
an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family's contact.
Make sure everyone knows the telephone number of this contact.Be
familiar with escape routes in case you need to evacuate your
neighborhood. Plan several escape routes for different contingencies.
For more information visit www.ready.gov on the Internet or, for printed
information, call 800-BE-
READY.
ACTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE -- AND AFTER -- A HURRICANE
The hurricane warning system is increasingly effective in providing
warnings in time for people to move inland when hurricanes
threaten.However, it is becoming more difficult to evacuate people from
densely populated areas. Roads are easily overcrowded, particularly
during summer tourist season.The problem is compounded by the
complacency of people who do not understand the awesome power of the
storm.
Complacency and delayed action could result in needless loss of life and
damage to property.
Before a Hurricane Strikes
Plan a safe evacuation route that will take you 20-50 miles inland.
Contact your local emergency
management office or Red Cross chapter and ask for the community
preparedness plan.
Have disaster supplies on hand, including:
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Emergency food and water
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes and a change of clothing
• Copies of important papers, including bank accounts, insurance and
household inventory records
Make sure your family goes over the family disaster plan (see page 2).
Make plans for protecting your house, especially the roof, windows and
doors (see page 4).
Trim dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance. Homeowners policies do not cover damage from
flooding that often
accompanies hurricanes. Call your local insurance agent for information
or the National Flood Insurance
Program at
800-720-1090 (see page 6).
When a Hurricane Watch
or Warning Is Issued
Listen to radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Follow
instructions if ordered to evacuate.
Check your emergency supplies. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs,
jugs, bottles and cooking utensils.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools;
anchor objects that cannot be
brought inside but that could be wind-tossed. Remove outdoor antennas,
if possible.
Secure your home by installing hurricane shutters or precut plywood.
Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings if not
instructed by officials to turn off utilities.
Fuel your car. Review evacuation routes and gather your disaster supply
kit in case you are instructed to
evacuate.
Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container.
After a Hurricane
Return home only after authorities say it is safe to do so. Keep tuned
to your local radio or tv station for
recovery information.
Beware of downed or loose power lines.
Report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department.
Enter your home with caution. Open windows and doors to ventilate or dry
your home. Do not use candles
or open flames in doors. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing
noise, quickly leave the building and
leave the doors open. Call the gas company.
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or frayed wires,
turn off electricity at the main fuse
box. If you have to step in water to reach the electric box, call an
electrician for advice.
Check for sewage and water-line damage. If you suspect there is such
damage, call the water company. Do
not drink or prepare food with tap water until notified it is safe to do
so.
Take pictures of the damage for insurance claims and contact your
service agent.
If Evacuation Is Necessary
If officials order evacuation, leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded
roads and watch for washed-out
bridges.
Secure your home. Unplug appliances and turn off electricity and the
main water valve. If time permits,
elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or move it to a higher
floor.
Take your pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm, protective clot
Surviving the Storm is a special edition of the Recovery Times
newsletter, developed by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security/FEMA.
Copies of Surviving the Storm are available on the FEMA Web site:
www.fema.gov
Aileen Cooper, Editor, DHS/FEMA
Office of Public Affairs.
STRENGTHENING YOUR HOME
After Hurricane Andrew, which caused large- scale destruction in parts
of southern Florida
in 1992, a team of experts examined homes that failed and ones that
survived. They found four areas that
should be checked for vulnerability
to strong winds: the roof, windows, doors and garage doors. Measures can
be taken to strengthen each of
these areas of your home.
Roof
The roof of your house is most vulnerable to damage from high winds.
Proper roof con-struction is
essential. A small investment made before a storm hits can save
thousands in
future damage.
The connection between the roof and walls
must be strong enough to resist the "uplift" effect of strong winds.
Roof trusses or rafters should be tied
properly to exterior walls with metal hurricane connectors or straps.
Have a building professional use specially designed metal connectors to
attach the roof
to wall plates, which are already well
connected to wall studs.
You may choose instead to use metal strapping or connectors to tie the
roof truss to both the wall top plate
and the wall studs (see Figure 1).
pecial connectors also are available to attach a roof to a masonry wall.
Gable-end roofs are more suseptible to damage from high winds than hip
or flat roofs. Bracing for trusses
and rafters can add protection to your home.
n choosing the appropriate connectors for your walls, check with
lumber-supply outlets, a building
professional or local building and planning officials.
Windows
Installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass
surfaces is one of the easiest and most
effective ways to protect your home. Cover all windows, French doors,
sliding glass doors and skylights.
There are many types of manufactured storm shutters available. Before
installing shutters, check with local
building officials to find out whether or not a permit is required.
Plywood shutters that you make yourself, if installed properly, can
offer a high level of protection from
flying debris during a hurricane. Plywood shutters can be installed on
all types of homes.
Doors
If you have double-entry doors, one is active and one is inactive. Check
to see how the fixed half is secured
top and bottom. The bolts or pins that secure most doors are not strong
enough to withstand hurricane
winds.
Check with your local building supplies retailer to find out what kind
of bolt system will work for your
door. Doors with windows will need additional protection from flying
debris.
Garage Doors
Double-wide (two-car) garage doors can pose a problem during hurricanes.
Because they are so large, they
wobble as high winds blow and can pull out of their tracks or collapse
from wind pressure.
Certain parts of the country have building codes requiring garage doors
that withstand high winds. Some
garage doors can be strengthened with retrofit kits. Check with your
local building supplies dealer.
More detailed information on protecting your home from wind is available
in the FEMA publication
Against the Wind:Protecting Your Home from Hurricane Wind Damage. You
will find it on the FEMA
web site:
www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/agstwnd.pdf
MOBILE HOMES REQUIRE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to hurricane-force winds.
Anchor the mobile home with over-the-
top, or frame, ties. When a storm threatens, do what you can to secure
your home, then take refuge with
friends or relatives or at a public shelter.
Before you leave, take the following precautions:
• Pack breakables in boxes and put them on the floor.
• Remove mirrors and tape them. Wrap mirrors and lamps in blankets and
place them in the bathtub or
shower.
• Install hurricane shutters or precut plywood on all windows.
• Shut off utilities and disconnect electricity, sewer and water lines.
Shut off propane tanks and leave them
outside after anchoring them securely.
• Store awnings, folding furniture, trashcans and other loose outdoor
objects.
MAKE PLANS FOR YOUR PETS
In planning for the hurricane season, do not forget your pets. If you
evacuate your home, do not leave pets
behind.
The Humane Society of the United States urges pet owners to make
arrangements to evacuate their animals.
Be sure you have up-to-date identification tags, a pet carrier and a
leash for them. Assemble a disaster kit
that you can provide to whomever assumes care of your pet during a
disaster.
Most emergency shelters will not accept pets. In the event of
evacuation, make alternative arrangements for
pets, such as with family friends, veterinarians or kennels in safe
locations. Send medicine, food, feeding
information and other supplies with them.
PLANNING COULD SAVE YOUR BUSINESS
If a hurricane is threatening the area where your business is located,
you can take
actions ahead of time that will save damage and lost productivity.
Clear out areas with extensive glass frontage as much as possible. If
you have shutters, use them;
otherwise, use precut plywood to board up doors and windows.
Remove outdoor hanging signs.
Bring inside or secure any objects that might become airborne and cause
damage in strong winds.
Secure showcases. Use plywood to protect glass showcases or, if
possible, turn the glass side toward an
inside wall.
Store as much merchandise as high as possible off the floor, especially
goods that could be in short supply
after the storm.
Move merchandise that cannot be stored away from glass and cover it with
tarpulins or heavy plastic.
Secure all goods in warehouses off the floor, and place sandbags in
spaces where water could enter.
Remove papers from lower drawers of desks and file cabinets and place
them in plastic bags or containers
on top of the cabinets.
Turn off water heaters, stoves, pilot lights and other burners.
DANGER: FLASH FLOODS
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are automobile related.
Water weighs 62.4 lbs. per cubic foot and typically flows downstream at
6 to 12 mph.
When a vehicle stalls in water, the water's momentum is transferred to
the car. For each foot water rises,
500 lbs. of lateral force are applied to the car.
But the biggest factor is buoyancy. For each foot that water rises up
the side of the car, the car displaces
1500 lbs. of water. In effect, the car weighs 1500 lbs. less for each
foot water rises.
Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles.
|
|
