Survive a Hurricane

A hurricane can be defined as a tropical storm with winds at a speed of 74 miles per hour or more. The winds usually blow in a circular pattern around a central eye with a radius of approximately 20 to 40 miles, and the storm generally has a 200 to 400 miles radius. Hurricanes form over large water bodies, and they occur usually between June and November. The dangers that are usually accompanied by a hurricane are high winds, heavy rains, and storm surges. When a hurricane hits a place, it can last for up to 2 weeks or even more over open water. It is much easier to survive a hurricane as compared to surviving a tornado, since tornadoes give little warning.  Hurricanes can be detected three or more days before they occur, although preparing for a hurricane backlash can take a longer period. This paper focuses on the hurricane preparation process since when one is well prepared for a hurricane; it becomes quite easy to survive the damage caused by the storm.

Preparing for a Hurricane

Preparing your house for a hurricane needs strapping the roofs and boarding the windows. One should close doors, windows, and hurricane shutters. Closing and boarding up of the windows and doors with plywood should be done only when one lacks hurricane shutters. The hurricane shutters provide maximum protection from strong winds, while strapping of the roofs assists in the provision of resistance to the wind forces.  

The first important step involves listening to a NOAA Weather Radio in order to get appropriate information from the National Weather Services. This and other forms of Alerts will help people in hurricane prone areas to have ample time to prepare for a hurricane backlash.

Secondly, in case of a confirmed hurricane landing, one should prepare for evacuation to a safer destination. Preparation includes packing food essentials and clothing.. The planning of an evacuation plan actually helps reduce the chances of confusion and tension during the event of a hurricane. During an evacuation, people should follow instructions given by the local authorities about evacuation plan. In addition,  people in areas on the coast or raised buildings and those who stay in a temporary structure should be given the priority of evacuating.

In preparation for a hurricane, it is crucial to be aware of how the community will respond to the issue. Some of the community members respond by registering family members who may need special medical attention or by planning safe routes to local shelters. Working as a community when preparing for a hurricane is important as it helps to track down each and every person easily.s

Adding a safe room can be a splendid idea when preparing for a hurricane. Addition of a safe room in your home or simply modifying one existing room to be a safe room will withstand the dangers that may come along with the hurricane, such as strong winds, cyclones, and debris. The best location for a safe room in a person’s home is at the basement.

Preparations for a hurricane should not only be done before it takes place but also after the hurricane since just because a hurricane has passed does not insinuate that one is fully safe. Hurricanes tend to be quite destructive; therefore, there are chances of being injured by the weakened structures, collapsing walls, and falling tree branches. There also may be faulting power lines and burst gas lines.

Before one gets out of the safe zone, they should be well prepared for the dangers that may occur; for instance, in the case of broken glass, one should have proper footwear. In the event of moving debris of items, one should have heavy work gloves. Before moving out of the safe zone, one should also check on the health and safety hazards, such as gas leaks, power lines failure, and fire hazards.

After the end of a hurricane, one should check on their neighbors and begin to assess the damage done to a person’s property. Taking a headcount of people whom one knows is important if done immediately to help launch search and rescue missions. Wasting time in search and rescue may lead to more losses and even death of those who are trapped or lost including children.

Surviving a Hurricane

Before leaving, one should know the intended destination that is safe and should carry with them hurricane survival kits for safety. When evacuating to safer destination, one should be careful when moving as there may be the washed out bridges and flooded roads.

Early in the season before a hurricane occurs, one should have their hurricane survival kit fully packed. The kit should be packed with packed foods that do not need refrigeration, flashlights with extra batteries, required medication, clothing, propane stove among others. It is also important to update the insurance premium before the hurricane season begins. Even though the insurance premium will not cover for everything one loses in the hurricane, the little coverage that will be made by the insurance company will enable one to start a new life.

In preparing for a hurricane, it is recommended to have a safe house; but in case one lacks a safe house, they can follow various steps for them to survive a hurricane. Some of the steps to be followed include: staying indoors away from glass doors and windows during the hurricanes, closing of the interior doors and taking refuge in a smaller interior room on a lower level during the hurricane; and also one should lie on the floor under a table or a sturdy object.

Lastly, in order to survive winds that may reach 40 MPH, one should never use open flames when the wind is blowing. People should try to stay away from windows that are not protected and turn off circuit breakers in case power blinks off and on, while remembering to make emergency contact.

Conclusion

Hurricanes come along with devastating damages to infrastructure as well as to the health and safety of individuals. Therefore, one should properly prepare for a hurricane. Once weather and local authorities order an immediate evacuation, people should try to leave the area as soon as possible. Flooded roads and washed out bridges should be avoided during evacuation, and homes should be left secure by unplugging electrical appliances.