Hurricane preparation

Hurricane Preparation List: A hurricane is an intense, rotating oceanic cyclone with tropical origin possessing maximum sustained winds exceeding 119 km/hr or 74 mph.  It is smaller than storms in mid-latitudes, but intensifies over tropical oceanic regions with air spiraling inward around a relatively calm center called the eye in a counterclockwise direction. It becomes weaker with height, and turns into anti-cyclonic outflow near the top of the storm. The sky becomes dark and the strength of the winds rises when the hurricane approaches. It will also bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surge. Hurricane hazards are dangerous and require disaster prevention which includes both being prepared as well as reducing damages. During hurricane season, those who live near the Coastal areas will be forced to evacuate their houses to escape from the Hurricane devastation. The houses with plywood shutters are less prone to hurricane disasters. There are certain things which are important to remember and carry during evacuation. The Florida hurricane at http://www.floridahurricane.net/ provides a lot of information on hurricane preparation. There are also many preparation guides available freely online. A separate list on each category consisting of things to do and carry can be prepared to avoid problems.

·        List of things to carry

·        List of food supplies

·        List of hardware things

·        List of baby needs

·        List of kitchen supplies

·        List of items in the first aid box

·        List of important personal and financial information to carry

·        List of phone numbers, mail, email addresses and important contacts

·        List of things to secure home

·        List of people to communicate before hurricane

·        List of instructions to follow before evacuation

The list of important personal and financial information should consists of Social Security cards, identification cards, Birth certificates, Bank-account records, Marriage certificates and divorce decrees, Titles, deeds or registrations for property and vehicles, Mortgage and other loan information, Insurance policies, Investment records, Credit-card statements, and Income-tax information. The list of important contacts must consists of the details of Banks and other financial institutions, Employers, Insurance agents, Power, light, gas and other utility companies, Relatives, close friends and other emergency contacts.

Hurricane Preparation Kit: The Hurricane preparation kit must consist of certain basic items necessary to carry at the time of evacuation. It is useful to keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of the car and the items should be placed in airtight plastic bags.

• Basic medical supplies or a first aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Bottled water
• Credit card and cash
• Personal identification
• Matches in a waterproof container
• A change of clothes
• Bedding, including sleeping bags and pillows
• Nonperishable food and a hand-operated can opener
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight
• Car keys and maps
• Signal flare
• Portable generators
• Emergency phone numbers

Hurricane Preparation Checklist:  The hurricanes can be dangerous killers. So planning well ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage. A checklist can be prepared with a list of action items, steps or elements required at the time of disaster. It also serves as a record. A separate checklist can be prepared for preparation before a hurricane and also for after hurricane actions.

Katrina Hurricane Preparation: The hurricane Katrina caused severe disasters due to poorly designed levees and the worst civil engineering failure. In spite of predictions and various plans to prevent the catastrophe, the hurricane resulted in heavy loss and disaster. Over 80% of the people were evacuated which saved the lives of thousands. But there was an inadequacy of evacuation plans made in time to evacuate the people who stayed back. The government was blamed for the lack of preparedness. The Louisiana Superdome which was the shelter of last resort did not meet the safety standards of Red Cross shelter. Thousands of people were trapped inside with inadequate provisions for food, water, sanitation, medical and crowd control. Even with the National Response Plan being invoked with the transfer of emergency authority to the Department of Homeland Security, the civil order broke down, infrastructure failed, and around 80% of the city was flooded.