Hurricane season is here. Are you ready?
"Be Prepared.”
Hurricanes are the most violent storms on Earth, according to NASA. They’re fueled by just two ingredients, heat and water; and they have sustained winds linked to categories starting in category 2 to 5 (Saffir-Simpson scale)
This season there is a 70% chance of 9 to 15 storms, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes, and 2 to 4 major hurricanes (according to NOAA).
Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1 and runs until November 30. However, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says, that most of these storms impact between August and October.
Be prepared with these recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):
- Sign up with a local emergency management office to receive emergency alerts, and monitor local news in reliable sources for information.
- Listen to the local public health departments for vaccination and personal protection recommendations after an emergency.
- Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, AED, shelter-in-place location, and emergency exits at work.
- Know the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning, and what to do in response to each.
- Develop an Emergency Action Plan, including two ways out of each room in a house fire, with your children.
- Know your flood risk and know whether landslides or debris flows have occurred in your area.
- Protect important documents. Make sure IDs and relevant documents are secured in waterproof containers.
Be ready with emergency supplies like a basic disaster kit. Ready.gov basic disaster kit includes:
- At least 3 gallons of water per person per day.
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food.
- A battery-powered.
- A flashlight with extra batteries.
- A first aid kit.
- Dust mask.
- Moist towelettes, garbage cans and plastic ties for sanitation.
- A wrench or pliers.
- Cellphone chargers.
If you need more information or to learn how to make an emergency plan for you and your family, follow the Ready.gov steps: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
