Alabamians Need to Prepare Now for Gustav

Alabamians have a few valuable days to get prepared for Gustav. Forecasters are predicting that Gustav may be a category III hurricane by the time it comes ashore late Sunday or early Monday.

Homeowners and businesses should be smart and not wait until the storm is just hours away before preparing for wind and rain that will come from the storm.

Hurricanes bring a variety of life-threatening hazards but flooding is usually the worst. With flooding comes power outages, need for clean water, and other problems, just to name a few.
Strong winds can create large areas of devastation, destroying mobile homes, tearing off roads and toppling power lines and trees. Hurricane winds can extend well inland from the coast, with the strongest sustained winds normally in the eastern half of the storm. In addition, hurricanes can spawn tornadoes that add to the destructiveness of the storm.

Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane. Eighty to 90 percent of people living in hurricane-prone areas have never experienced the core of a major hurricane. Many of these people have a false impression of a hurricane’s damage potential. This often leads to complacency and delayed actions that result in injuries and death.

So, what can you do now to prepare for a hurricane? First and foremost, listen to weather reports and heed advice given by weather experts if a storm is headed your way.
.
Plan and map an escape route and keep it in a safe place. Stock up on drinking water, nonperishable foods, canned goods, dog and cat food, medicine and first aid supplies, all size batteries, especially those that fit portable radios, flashlights and cell phones, candles and kerosene lamps and fuel and store a good supply of matches in a waterproof container.

Inventory your possessions inside and outside the home. One smart way to do this is to videotape or take pictures with digital cameras. Homeowners may even want to videotape equipment or things in garage and storage houses on their property. Store the information in water and fireproof containers off the premises when possible. This type of inventory would be helpful to you and your insurance company in case of other disasters, such as fire or flood, or even a theft. Make a list of serial or model numbers on appliances, electronics, furniture and special costly items, such as silver pieces, or antique jewelry, and place it in with the video of items.

Another important step is to review your home insurance policies and make sure your coverage is sufficient. Your home and belongings should be covered to their full replacement cost. While hurricane damage is covered under most standard homeowner’s policies, flooding is not covered. Ask your insurance agent about flood coverage.

Renters should purchase renter’s insurance. It is not expensive and protects your belongings from other dangers as well.

Other things to check or store several days before an expected storm include filling up the fuel tank in your automobile, placing extra bags of ice in the freezer, making sure you have plenty of dry wood for your fireplace, charcoal or full gas container for barbeque grill, blankets, towels and pillows for storm cellar or basement. Also secure or store all outdoor objects, such as hanging plants, patio furniture, trash cans and lawn equipment.

If you are in a mobile home, check the tie-downs. Historically, mobile homes suffer the greatest amount of damage during hurricanes or high sustained winds. These type homes may be less affected by strong winds if they are properly tied down. In most cases, it may be best to leave the mobile home and stay in a shelter or with friends.

If your home or business is in the direct path of the storm and does not have permanent hurricane shutters on windows and doors, consider buying half-inch plywood boards suitable for outside use -- marine plywood is best. Cut the boards to fit the outside frame of each window and door; drill the holes for the screws and install the anchors so you can quickly board up your home if necessary. Write on each board which opening it fits.

Do not tape glass. Taping does not prevent glass from breaking and takes critical time from more effective preparedness measures. When wind enters a home through broken windows, the pressure that builds against the walls can lift a roof and cause walls to collapse.

Because evacuation shelters generally do not accept pets, except service animals, you must plan ahead to ensure that your family and pets have a safe place to stay. Contact relatives, friends, hotels and motels, and other facilities to make a definite plan for sheltering your animals. Many communities are developing emergency animal shelters similar to shelters for people. Contact your local emergency management agency to find out about emergency animal shelters in your community.

Posted by dreynold at August 27, 2008 02:34 PM | TrackBack