How to Keep Yourself Safe During a Hurricane
Hurricane Harvey sweeps over the Gulf of Mexico and plans to land ashore in Texas. It could be the first Category 3 hurricane to hit this part of the United States in nearly 12 years . Here’s what you need to know to stay safe during a storm.
Sign up for emergency alerts
By staying in the know, you and your family will be safe. You will find out if you need to evacuate or it is safer to stay put. Make sure your phone and phone with a backup recorder are configured to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from FEMA through the Integrated Public Alert System (IPAWS) . These are free 90-character texts that local authorities can send to mobile devices within the reach of any cell towers in the affected area. No need to register, just make sure your phones are up to date and charged.
Then search the public address system in your jurisdiction, for example , “[city, city, or county name] + emergency alerts” to find out how you can register. It is also a good idea to contact your local emergency management or public security service. You can also receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service via NOAA Weather Radio . Do your best to ensure that all family members receive warnings and alerts, not just you.
Know the difference between advice, supervision and warning
Warnings are not very helpful if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a quick breakdown of hurricane and tropical storm warnings via FEMA :
- Advisory Message : The National Weather Service (NWS) issues this message when it expects a storm to cause significant inconvenience that may be hazardous but not life-threatening.
- See : The NWS issues this when a hurricane is likely in the next 48 hours. If you see the watch is out, turn on NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, television, or other news source to stay updated. Double check your essentials and bag in case you need to squat or evacuate.
- Warning : The NWS issues this when a hurricane is expected within the next 36 hours. Do whatever is indicated in the Observe section, then prepare to evacuate if instructed to do so.
These warnings may well save your life, so take them seriously and watch out for them.
Get ready to evacuate
It is possible that the local authorities will tell you to leave the area, so you should be prepared to leave at any time. Here’s what you need to do to be ready:
- Make an evacuation plan : Study your community’s evacuation plan, or develop your own using suggested routes through your state Department of Transportation or Emergency Management websites.
- You’ve got where to go : let family or friends know who you might be staying with, or find the nearest emergency shelter using the FEMA mobile app . Set up a meeting place for everyone in case you drift apart.
- Prepare your vehicle : Fill your gas tank, load your vehicle with basic emergency supplies, and make sure it’s ready to move out.
- Take your travel bag : Fill your travel bag or insect repellent bag with useful emergency supplies and keep it close at hand. Make sure everyone in your family has it. If you don’t have it, do your best to collect it now.
Make sure your evacuation plan includes all your family members, including pets. If authorities order you to evacuate, do so immediately.
Protect your family
If you have time, prepare your home for high winds, heavy rainfall and garbage. This means strengthening doors and protecting windows. If you don’t, the wind can literally blow your roof off or cause walls to collapse. Or at least destroy the house from the inside.
All windows, skylights and sliding glass doors must be closed. Plywood is the cheapest option, starting at less than $ 20 per 4 x 8 foot sheet, but needs to be installed correctly. According to Bob Sheets , former director of the National Hurricane Center, here’s how to do it right:
You should use 5/8 “outdoor plywood and add 8” to the width and height of the window to accommodate the 4 “overhang. Attach to the house with anchor bolts and anchors. Bolts should enter the wall and window frame by at least 1-3 / 4 “for small windows and 2-1 / 2” for large windows. For brick houses, use dowels and galvanized dowels.
DO NOT tape the windows in hopes of protecting them. This is not very effective and this method can actually lead to the formation of larger and more dangerous glass shards if they break.
After you have closed all openings, bring any loose items in the yard: garden furniture, trash cans, bicycles, toys, lawn tools, etc. If something is too large to fit inside, secure it as can be better outside. Make sure your trees are trimmed too to prevent branches from bumping into your home. Unplug electronics and be sure to unplug all propane tanks.
Last but not least, prepare your home and property for potential flooding. Clean out debris from gutters and gutters, raise the heating system, water heater and electrical panel, and do not store easily damaged valuables in the basement or lowlands.
Duck down and weather the storm
If you choose not to evacuate, or are in an area where evacuation is not mandatory, go inside and escape. Make sure that wherever you are, in the event of a flood, you will be on a higher level. Gather all the essentials and food you need andfill the tub with water so you have extra supplies on hand in case you need them.
Stay away from doors and windows, even if they are boarded up, and go to the windowless room at the very bottom of the house. This could be a basement, bathroom, storage room, or even a hallway. If possible, lie on the floor under a table or sturdy object during the worst periods of the storm. It’s also a good idea to have a mattress or pillow with you to protect your head.
Be patient and don’t be fooled if there is a lull during the storm . Wait longer than you think. You’ve probably just hit the eye of a hurricane and the strong winds are likely to pick up again. Listen to the radio and wait for the local authorities to tell you to go outside.
Bonus: Hurricane Prep Checklist
It quickly goes over the many important things you need to prepare and take care of ( via FEMA ):