The Safest Places During a Hurricane

An unfortunate byproduct of global climate change is increasingly powerful hurricanes. Case in point: Hurricane Helen is currently approaching Florida and the southeastern US, threatening to bring “overwhelming” storm surges in some areas that will be powerful enough to demolish buildings and flood possible escape routes .

It is now a fact of life that anyone living near any US coastline is potentially at risk from such severe storms. But you can protect yourself by following a few simple steps.

Where is the safest place to be during a hurricane?

• First, get out of the hurricane’s path. When a hurricane approaches, the safest place is somewhere else; so you should definitely evacuate when necessary. Hurricanes are not entirely predictable, but they are slow enough that evacuation is usually possible. Don’t be proud; Watch for storms while they’re away and get out of Dodge if you’re in danger. (Information on how to track hurricanes is below.)

• Go to a specially designated shelter. Residents are sometimes ordered to shelter in place as a hurricane approaches. If the civil authorities tell you to go there, do so. An “official” shelter will almost certainly be safer than your home.

• Stay inside your home. If you haven’t evacuated (either because of your stubbornness or because of a “shelter in place” order), stay inside. Hurricanes are powerful and exciting storms, but resist the urge to go outside and experience them or try to batten down the hatches when a storm is bearing down on you. It’s too late. Save yourself, not your garden furniture.

• Stay away from windows . Don’t look out the windows during a hurricane. Storm winds can turn the glass in your windows into flying daggers of death in an instant.

• Go to a small interior room : The safest part of your home is the middle. You’re trying to avoid flying glass shards when the wind blows through your windows, so an interior windowless room is best. This could be a hallway, bathroom, closet, etc. Wherever you sit, make sure there are no heavy objects above you that could fall.

• Stay on the lowest floor . Avoid the upper floors of your home because the higher you go, the stronger the wind, and during severe hurricanes, roofs can be blown off or destroyed by blown debris. The first floor (or better yet, the basement) is stabilized by the foundation of your home.

• Stay in your home even longer : be patient and don’t be fooled if there is a calm during the storm. You’re likely right in the eye of the hurricane, and strong winds are likely to pick up again. Listen to the radio and wait for local authorities to say it’s okay to go outside.

Being trapped in your home is the most dramatic and harrowing possibility of a hurricane, but you don’t want to end up there, so take some hurricane preparation measures.

Learn how hurricane emergency alerts work

If you stay informed, you and your family will be safe. You will know whether you need to evacuate or whether it is safer to stay put. Make sure your phone and backup burner phone are set to receive wireless emergency alerts (WEA) from FEMA through the Integrated Public Alert System (IPAWS) . These are free, 90-character text messages that local authorities can send to mobile devices within range of any cell towers in the affected area. There is no need to register; just make sure your phones are updated and charged.

For more hurricane information, sign up for local public alert systems.

Then search for your jurisdiction’s public alert system, such as : “[town, city, or county name] + emergency alerts” to find out how you can sign up. It’s also a good idea to contact your local emergency management or public safety department. You can also receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service via NOAA Weather Radio . Make sure everyone in your family can receive warnings and notifications, not just you.

What is the difference between hurricane “advices”, “watches” and “warnings”?

Warnings won’t do much good if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a quick overview of hurricane and tropical storm warnings from FEMA :

• Hurricane Warning : The National Weather Service (NWS) issues this when it expects a storm to cause significant disturbance that may be dangerous, but not life-threatening.

• Hurricane Watch : The NWS issues this alert when a hurricane is possible within the next 48 hours. If you see a watch issued, tune into NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, television or another news source to stay informed. Double check your emergency supplies and travel bag in case you have to hunker down or evacuate.

• Hurricane Warning : The NWS issues this warning when a hurricane is expected within the next 36 hours. Do everything in the Surveillance section and then prepare to evacuate if you are ordered to do so.

These warnings could very well save your life, so take them seriously.

How to prepare to evacuate during a hurricane

It is possible that local authorities will order you to leave the area, so you will need to be prepared to leave at any time. Here’s what you need to do to be prepared:

• Make an evacuation plan : Either study your community’s evacuation plan or develop your own using suggested routes on your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management websites.

• Find where to go . Let family or friends know who you may be staying with, or find the nearest emergency shelter using the FEMA mobile app . Decide on a meeting place for everyone in case you get separated.

• Prepare your car : Fill up your gas tank, load your car with basic essentials, and make sure it’s ready to go.

• Bring a travel bag : Fill your travel bag with useful emergency items and keep it handy. Make sure every member of your family has one. If you don’t have one, do this. try your best to get them together now.

Make sure your evacuation plan takes into account all members of your family, including pets. If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

How to protect your home from a hurricane

If you have time, prepare your home for high winds , heavy rain, and flying debris. This means strengthening doors and protecting windows. If you don’t, the wind can literally rip off your roof or collapse your walls. Or at least destroy the inside of your home.

All windows, skylights and sliding glass doors must be closed. Plywood is the cheapest option, but it must be installed correctly. Florida knows a lot about hurricanes, so here’s the state’s guide to properly installing plywood for hurricane preparedness .

DO NOT tape up your windows in hopes of protecting them. This is not very effective, and this method can result in larger, more dangerous pieces of glass if it breaks.

How to prepare your yard for a hurricane

Once you’ve covered all openings, bring in any loose items that are in the yard: lawn furniture, trash cans, bicycles, toys, gardening tools, etc. If anything is too large to bring inside, secure it as it can be better. you can outside. Make sure your trees are trimmed to prevent branches from cutting into your home. Turn off electronics and be sure to unplug any propane tanks.

Last but not least, prepare your home and property for the possibility of flooding. Clear gutters and downspouts of debris, raise the heating system, water heater and electrical panel, and do not store easily damaged valuables in the basement or low areas.

What to do after a hurricane

The danger will not pass when the wind stops blowing. Here are some things to keep in mind after the hurricane has passed.

• Stay away from flood water : Do not walk or drive through flooded streets. Don’t think it would be funny to pull out a surfboard. This water is likely laced with hazardous chemicals, human and animal waste, and possibly cholera.

• Stay away from damaged buildings : Structures damaged by a hurricane may collapse.

• Beware of Downed Power Lines : High winds can knock over power lines, and power lines can electrocute you. Avoid.

• Use generators safely. If you lose power but have a generator, make sure you know exactly how to use it safely. Don’t run it inside or the CO2 can kill you.

• Stay away from strange animals : Storms can release pets that may be roaming the post-apocalyptic wasteland that was once your neighborhood. Don’t feed them, pet them, or do anything other than call the authorities.

• Make sure your food and water are not contaminated . Throw away food and drinks that have been in contact with flood water, smell or look suspicious.

• Follow authorities : Listen to emergency radio broadcasts and be prepared to follow instructions from authorities.

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