Hurricane Awareness Tips

1. Hurricane Awareness Tips

2. What is an Hurricane? An intense tropical weather system with a well-defined circulation and a sustained wind speed of 74 mph or higher.

3. How an Hurricane forms • Hurricanes usually form in the tropical zones north and south of the equator, where warm waters offer ample fuel for storm formation. That's where you see convection, where warm air rises and forms clusters of thunderstorms.

4. Names of Storms for the 2008Hurricane Season • Omar • Paloma • Rene  • Sally  • Teddy  • Vicky • Wilfred • Hanna • Ike • Josephine  • Kyle • Laura  • Marco  • Nana • Authur  • Bertha • Cristobal  • Dolly • Eduard • Fay • Gustav

5. Prediction For 2008 Hurricane Season • 12-16 named storms to form in the Atlantic • 6-9 of those storms are expected to become hurricanes • 5 of the hurricanes are expected to develop into major hurricanes (Categories 3, 4, and 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale) with wind speeds of 111 mph or greater

6. Effects of a Hurricane • Unlike earthquake, hurricane can be planned for and necessary precaution taken. • Primary effects-flooding, landslide, destruction of property, storm-surge

7. Storm Surge A storm surge is a gradual rise in water level along a shoreline produced by low pressure and onshore hurricane winds The combination of storm surge, battering waves, and high tide is the hurricane’s most deadly killer.

8. Effects of Storm Surge Storm surge can cause damage in three ways: • The rising water levels flood areas usually beyond the water line • The breaking waves impact higher along the beachfront and as they crash into the shore they send water rushing even further inland causing property damage. • Storm surges are most likely to erode beaches and undercut sea walls.

9. Storm Surge Precaution • If you live in a coastal area evacuate to a shelter or stay with relatives and friends during a hurricane • Regulate housing development in flood prone areas.

10. What to Do After a Storm Surge • Clean mud and silt quickly while it is wet • If your house was demolished by a storm surge you should rebuild on higher ground

11. Flooding • A flood is caused by excess water in a location, usually due to rain from a storm or hurricane • Can be initiated by an earthquake-induced tsunami, a hurricane's storm surge

12. Reducing Flooding • Keep drains and gully clean of garbage. • Reduce paving of ground surface • Through all garbage in the correct container. • Refrain from cutting down trees, especially on hill slopes.

13. Shelters • A shelter is a facility set up to provide housing for persons unable to their living in there homes as a result of an emergency incident such as flood, earthquake or hurricane • A shelter can be a school, church or a community center. • Please contact your local disaster preparedness coordinator for your nearest shelter.

14. Evacuation It is advise to evacuate your home if: • In an area that continue to flood • Near the coastline • You feel your home is not safe • Advised by the authorities KNOW YOUR EVACUATION ROUTE!

15. Flood Precaution • Learn the quickest way out of your community • Take domestic animals in a place high from flood waters • Wrap all important documents in plastic bags and store away from flood water • Shut off electrical power, gas, water supply in areas in immediate danger of flooding

16. Hurricane Precautions

17. Before the Hurricane Season • Make a thorough check-up of hurricane shutters, hooks and latches. • See that the galvanized sheeting on the roof of your house is properly fastened. • Keep plastics bags, nails, hammers, wire, rope and pliers handy. • Find out how to obtain lumber, plywood, timber, etc., and keep in hand a supply for battening-up purposes.

18. Before an Hurricane (cont.) • Make sure you have emergency equipment • Provision for adequate storage facilities for drinking water • If in a high risk area know of a shelter • Check on your insurance coverage

19. Hurricane WATCH and WARNING • WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours. • WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

20. SURVIVAL SUPPLIES YOU SHOULD HAVE DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

21. SURVIVAL SUPPLIES YOU SHOULD HAVE Portable radio and extra batteries Flashlight and extra batteries First-aid book and kit, including specific medicines needed for members of your household Non electric can opener Fire extinguisher Bottled water (two gallons per day per person Candles and matches(note. No open flame should be lit or electric switches turned on until it is determined that there is no gas leak in the area).

22. Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan • Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. • Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. • Listen to local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. • If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. • Take important items when you evacuate. • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

23. Assembly a Disaster Kit Which Includes the Following Items: • First aid kit and essential medications. • Canned food and can opener. • At least three gallons of water per person. • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags. • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. • Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

24. Prepare for High Winds • Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly. • Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

25. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued • Listen to local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information. • Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.

26. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued • Prepare to cover all windows of your home. • Fill your car's gas tank. • Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

27. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued • Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so. • Complete preparation activities. • If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.

28. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued • Be alert for landslides • Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

29. During A Hurricane • Remain indoors at all times. • Listen to the radio for updates on the hurricane • Keep Children inside as curious children may wonder off • Do not leave candles burning while you off to sleep, use a lamp instead

30. At Home: • Every responsible member of the family should know: • How to turn off utilities (water, gas, electricity) • Basic first aid (contact your local Red Cross branch for information on first aid training) • Where to go when disaster strikes • Whether to vacant the home in favour of a shelter or a relative house • Where to find the nearest shelter (contact your local Parish Council) • Where and/or how to reunite with family members

31. After an Hurricane

32. Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over • Keep listening to local radio or TV stations for instructions. • If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. • Inspect your home for damage. • Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.