Preparing for emergency

California has earthquakes and the southeastern part of the country has hurricanes and tropical storms. It is important to be prepared in the event you live in an area where hurricanes and tropical storms occur.

These storms cause tremendous damage and can threaten not only your home and belongings but your life itself as well. If nothing else, the vast majority of hurricanes and/or tropical storms leave many without power and lots of flooding.

A hurricane is defined as a tropical cyclone that contains winds of 74 miles per hour or greater as well as immense amounts of rain, thunder and lightning. 

A tropical storm is defined as a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of 35 to 73 miles per hour that, like hurricanes, contain rain, thunder and lightning.

Let’s look at some safety tips that are important in regard to hurricane and tropical storm safety.  As the Emergency Control Operation centers all say, preparation is the key to safety.

Safety Tips:

• Keep flashlights and candles with matches on hand.
• Make sure you have plenty of your medications. Refill them if needed prior to the storm arrival.
• If you are ordered to evacuate--evacuate.
• Have a propane grill or stove available to cook on.
• Stock up on non-perishable, canned foods that don’t require refrigeration.
• Stock up on plenty of bottled water.
• Have lanterns available.
• Make sure and have plenty of food and bottled water on hand for your pet.

One only needs to remember the pictures and visions of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to appreciate the need for preparation.  Over 450,000 families were forced out of their homes and another unknown number were able to stay in their homes but did not have enough or the appropriate supplies on hand and thus they were left to suffer. 

Safety is all about being prepared.  Make sure you take the necessary precautions and heed our safety tips.