Emergency Fundamentals will prepare people for emergencies at home from natural or man-made disasters by giving them access to emergency preparedness information. They will also be able to purchase products and kits to prepare for these emergencies.

HURRICANES - Nature's Greatest Storms

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, a term used for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The ingredients for a hurricane include a pre-existing weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture, and lights winds. A typical cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms, and in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

• Tropical Depression - An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less. Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft above the surface.
• Tropical Storm - An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph.
• Hurricane - An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.

Scientists can now predict hurricanes, but people who live in coastal communities should plan what they will do if they are told to evacuate.

HURRICANE FACTS

• The center of a hurricane is known as the eye. It is a 12-40 mile wide region of relatively clear and calm conditions brought about by descending air.
• Hurricane season lasts June 1 through November 30. It is rare, but hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic as early as March or as late as December.
• 36% of all U.S. hurricanes hit Florida.
  76% of Category 4 or higher hurricanes hit Florida or Texas.
• Since 1900, just three Category 5 storms have hit the continental U.S. There have been 15 Category 4 storms in that time, including Hurricane Charley.
• The last time the U.S. was hit by two hurricanes of Category 4 or above in the same year was 1915. That year a Category 4 storm hit Galveston and another one hit New Orleans.
• Category 5 storms since 1900 (in order of intensity): 1) Unnamed storm hit Florida Keys in 1935, killing 408 people, 2) Hurricane Camille hit Mississippi in 1969 and 3) Hurricane Andrew hit southeast Florida in 1992.
  

BEFORE:

1. Know the terms used to describe a hurricane threat.

• Hurricane Watch - Hurricane storm conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours.
• Hurricane Storm Warning - Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.
• Short Term Watches and Warnings - These warnings provide detailed information on specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

2. Know and practice your emergency plan.

3. Have your 3-day emergency kit readily available as well as a small emergency kit in your vehicle. Click here for ideas on how to put one together yourself.

4. Listen to radio or television stations for current information.

5. Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves.

6. Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.

7. Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Dead limbs or trees could cause personal injury property damage.

DURING:

1. Have your 3-day emergency kit wherever you are.

2. Continue to listen to local authorities.

3. Secure your home. Close storm shutters. Secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors. Moor your boat if time permits.

4. If staying at home, gather several days' supply of water and food for each household member. Water systems may become contaminated or damaged. Sterilize (with diluted bleach solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water) and fill the bathtub to ensure a supply of safe water in case you are unable or told to evacuate.

5. If you are evacuating, take your disaster supply kit with you to the shelter.

6. Prepare to evacuate. Make sure you keep the tank of your car at least 1/2 full at all times. Service stations may be closed after the storm.  If you do not have a car, be sure you have made arrangements for transportation with a friend or relative in your emergency plan. 

7. Evacuate to an inland location, if:

• Local authorities announce an evacuation and you live in an evacuation zone.
• You live in a mobile home or temporary structure.
• You live in a high-rise.  Hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• You live on the coast, on a floodplain near a river or inland waterway.
• You feel you are in danger.

8. When authorities order an evacuation:

• Leave immediately.
• Follow evacuation routes announced by local officials. Don't take short-cuts.
• Stay away from coastal areas, riverbanks and streams.
• Tell others where you are going.

9. If you are not required or are unable to evacuate, stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors. Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull, it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.

• Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities.
• If not instructed to turn off, turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting and keep closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.

10. If strong winds, follow these rules:

• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.
• In a two-story residence, go to an interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom or closet.
• In a multiple-story building, go to the first or second floors and stay in interior rooms away from windows.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

11. Avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies. Local authorities need first priority on telephone lines.

AFTER:

 1. Administer first aid to those in need. Be aware of symptoms of stress and fatigue.

2. Stay where you are if you are in a safe location until local authorities say it is safe to leave. If you evacuated the community, do not return to the area until authorities say it is safe to return.

3. Don't go sightseeing in the damaged areas. Stay away.

4. Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

5. Drive only when necessary. Streets will be filled with debris. And roads may have weakened and could collapse.  Do not drive on flooded or barricaded roads or bridges. Closed roads are for your protection. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle - two feet of water will carry most cars away.

6. Stay away from riverbanks and streams until potential flooding has passed.

7. Stay away from moving water. Moving water only six inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.

8. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company. Report broken gas, sewer or water mains to local officials.

9. Don't use candles or other open flames indoors. Use a flashlight to inspect damage.

10. Contact your insurance agent. An adjuster will be assigned to visit your home. To prepare:

• Take photos of your belongings and your home or videotape them.
• Separate damaged and undamaged belongings.
• Locate your financial records.
• Keep detailed records of cleanup costs.