The term hurricane is used to define any tropical or subtropical storm with winds exceeding 120 km / h. This atmospheric phenomenon can develop suddenly from small thunderstorm agglomerations during the hurricane season (generally, from late summer to early autumn); for that reason, it pays to be prepared. To survive a hurricane, you should know how to plan ahead, how to weather the storm, and what precautions to take once it has passed.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Early
Step 1. If you live in one of the hurricane-affected regions, you should always be ready
If you are in the United States and specifically in areas such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina or North, you should receive alerts from government agencies (such as FEMA and NOAA) to prepare for the arrival of hurricane season, that is by 1 June. You should organize a family plan for natural disasters and prepare survival kits that each family member should be able to grab quickly in case of need.
- A family plan for natural disasters defines what to do in an emergency; for example, it must establish the escape routes taking care to organize different alternatives in case the main ones are unusable. Arrange a meeting point in case the family separates.
- Organize drills to teach each family member to shut down the water, gas and electricity systems; make sure even the youngest can call emergency services.
- The survival kit must be ready when the alert is received. It should contain the basic elements to ensure the survival of the whole family for at least 72 hours, such as food, water, first aid kit and flashlights.
- When the winds reach tropical storm intensity, it is impossible to prepare and your only concern will be to survive.
Step 2. Consider purchasing a generator
This machine ensures a supply of electricity after the hurricane subsides and until the high voltage lines are restored. Store it away from rain and possible floods; learn how to use it and check that there is good ventilation in the room.
- Make sure it is always firmly attached to the ground and in a dry area.
- Never plug a portable generator into a normal socket and never plug it into your home electrical system as it could trigger a back current.
- To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, always light it outdoors, away from doors and windows.
- If you have any doubts, when you buy it, ask the shop assistant to show you how to use it.
- Generators must be tested regularly and subjected to constant maintenance; remember to follow the instructions so as not to discover that the device does not work when you need it most.
Step 3. Purchase dynamo flashlights and radios
It is very likely that the electricity supply will be cut off during a severe hurricane, and you may not have access to the media or light. Consider having battery-powered or manual dynamo devices available.
- Your best bet is a battery operated device that receives all of the disaster warnings issued by NOAA; don't forget spare batteries. This radio allows you to listen to all the updated news and weather forecasts broadcast by government organizations; set it to "alert mode" during danger and make sure it always has power.
- Purchase high-efficiency battery-powered flashlights or kinetic-energy activated flashlights. There are several models that are capable of lighting a small area for several days with just three AAA batteries. Kinetic energy flashlights use a mechanical device, such as a crank, and never run out.
- Lightsticks are a safe alternative. Due to the risk of gas leaks during such a disaster, you should be wary of candles.
- Also keep a large supply of regular batteries in watertight containers.
Step 4. If possible, create a "safe room" in the house
It is a facility designed to meet government-defined safety requirements in the event of a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane. Generally, it is built inside the house, in the innermost environment. People who take shelter in these certified rooms have a great chance of surviving unscathed situations of climatic danger.
- Residential security rooms are reinforced. In other words, they are improved to withstand intense winds thanks to thicker ceilings, floors and walls or stabilized with concrete.
- You can add this room to your home or modernize one with these characteristics; you also need to make sure it is accessible, with water supply and moderately welcoming. For this purpose, people often choose the bathroom.
- If you can't afford to build this room, you can find out if there are any grants from the state or other organizations.
Step 5. Secure the property well in advance
The greatest damage caused by the hurricane is generally attributable to the winds that tear and carry away anything that is not well anchored. To minimize this possibility, take precautions before hurricane season.
- Since strong winds can detach branches and cut down trees, prune each plant near your home beforehand before hurricane season; it also eliminates any other debris that could fly off during a storm.
- Restructures the roof, windows and doors of the house to ensure greater protection; for example, you can install high-strength windows, armored doors, and hurricane-resistant shutters to minimize property damage.
- You can also hire a construction company to reinforce the roof with hurricane-proof metal brackets, brackets, and clips.
Step 6. Prepare the house during pre-warnings and alarms
If you know a hurricane is coming, take extra precautions. Even if you've remodeled your home, there are steps you can take before the elements set in.
- If you have hurricane-proof shutters or shutters, close them; if not, cover doors and windows with panels and adhesive tape. Opt for non-slip duct tape instead of ordinary one; plywood boards are perfect for these operations.
- Secure the gutters and downspouts, clean them of obstructions and debris; remember to close the valves on the propane tank.
- Check that the garage doors are closed and secure. Do not leave them open and seal any gap between the doors and the ground using panels; if the garage or shed rises into the air, they can destroy the house.
Step 7. Stock up on food and water
When the electrical supply is interrupted, the refrigerator turns off; as a result, meat, dairy and other perishable foods rot. Water may also no longer be available. To ensure the best chance of survival, organize a good supply of canned and non-perishable foods, as well as bottles of water; make sure you have at least three days of autonomy.
- Fill the bottles with drinking water and store them in the shelter. You need about 4 liters of water per day per person, plus that for cooking and washing. Make a note on the calendar to make sure that the water has not expired and that it is regularly replaced.
- Prepare a supply of long-life food sufficient for at least three days; this means arranging canned, freeze-dried or jarred food. Don't forget to stock up on supplies for pets as well.
- During the phase preceding the danger, disinfect and fill the bathtub and some large demijohns with water; these supplies can be indispensable for drinking, washing and flushing the toilet after a storm.
Part 2 of 3: Overcoming the Storm
Step 1. Evacuate the area
If possible, make your way to areas that will be hit by the hurricane only after it has lost intensity. For example, if you are in South Florida, flee to Georgia or move inland if you are in North or South Carolina at the time. It is much easier to keep the family together (including pets) and safe away from the country. dangerous area rather than facing the hurricane.
- Stay with others; leave the house in a group and, if possible, take only one car.
- Always obey evacuation orders. It should be an extra priority if you are in a motorhome or caravan; these vehicles can be destroyed by even the weakest hurricanes.
- Carry only the essentials, such as your cell phone, documents, cash and some spare clothes. Don't forget a medication and first aid kit.
- Fill up on fuel and give yourself plenty of time; Not you absolutely must get caught by the hurricane while you are in the car.
- Don't abandon pets; they are unable to shelter from rubble, flood or objects that are blown up by winds and could die or suffer serious injuries.
Step 2. Find shelter
If you are staying in the area, you need to find a safe place to protect yourself, family and pets during the storm. The shelter must have neither windows nor skylights; if it is located in the house, close all internal doors and secure or barricade the external ones.
- Hopefully you have prepared yourself as described above; in this case, you should have a safe shelter and everything you need.
- If not, try your best during the time available. Choose the interior room with the strongest walls and no windows; for example, a blind bathroom or a closet may be fine. You can even protect yourself inside a ceramic bathtub by covering the top with plywood.
- Alternatively, seek out community-provided shelter. Areas often hit by hurricanes (such as Florida) have state-provided shelters that are opened during storms. Find one near the area you are in and take your medications, insurance policy, identification documents, as well as bedding, torches, some snacks, and something to pass the time with you.
Step 3. Find shelter at least two hours before the storm sets in
Don't move at the last moment, but make yourself safe before the situation escalates. Bring a battery-powered radio and a supply of batteries with you to stay up to date (listen to the news every 15-30 minutes); at this point, the external front of the hurricane should have already started hitting your location.
- Have an emergency kit for natural disasters on hand.
- Always stay indoors even if the situation seems to have calmed down. The climatic conditions during a hurricane improve and worsen rapidly, especially if the eye of the hurricane passes through the area you are in.
- Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors; the greatest risk during these climatic events is represented by flying debris and broken glass.
- For added safety, lie on the ground under a sturdy object such as a table.
- Water and lightning can put you at risk of electrocution. If you lose the power supply or if your home is at risk of flooding, turn off the main switch and large appliances; do not use electrical devices, telephone and shower.
Step 4. In case of an emergency
don't go away but call for help. A lot of things can happen during an intense hurricane; you could be in danger from flooding, injured by rubble, or faced with other medical crises. What should you do in such situations?
- Unless you are threatened by the waters, the best thing to do is to stay indoors and in the shelter; very strong winds and flying debris could hurt and even kill you.
- Call emergency services if you or a family member are in danger of life. However, remember that several phones may not be working and the ambulance may not be available; for example, during Hurricane Katrina, thousands of 911 calls went unanswered.
- Take advantage of the resources at your disposal. Heals wounds best with the first aid kit; if you are able to contact an ambulance, the operator may tell you how to proceed.
Part 3 of 3: Begin the Rebuild
Step 1. Make sure it is safe to leave the house
Do not leave the shelter until the authorities (such as NOAA) declare that the situation has been resolved. If the winds have subsided, the area could be in the dangerous eye of the cyclone which is followed by a ring of towering thunderstorms with very intense winds; a hurricane takes hours to pass.
- The area around the eye of the storm is where the winds reach maximum speed and can also generate tornadoes.
- Wait at least half an hour after the eye of the storm passes before entering the rooms with windows; even after this period you should act with caution, as there is a high probability that there will be broken glass.
- Be careful even after authorities declare return to normal. There are several dangers, such as half-felled trees, electrical cables and tampered high voltage lines; do not go near these cables or lines. Call the electricity provider or emergency services to help you.
- Stay away from flooded areas. Be very careful when entering these areas as there may be rubble and other hidden dangers.
Step 2. Be especially cautious when entering buildings
The very strong winds of a hurricane damage several, if not most, structures; do not enter buildings after such an event, unless they are structurally safe. Also, based on safety conditions, evacuate any building that shows serious damage as quickly as possible, as it could collapse.
- If you smell gas, the area is flooded, or the building is damaged by fire, stay away.
- Use the flashlight in place of candles, matches, lanterns, or fire; there could be methane leaks and you could start a fire or explosion. Open the windows and doors to let the gas out.
- Don't turn on the electrical system, unless you are absolutely sure it's safe; check all electrical and methane connections before activating them.
- When you enter a building, look around carefully, looking out for any missing or slippery floorboards, rubble that could fall from above and damaged masonry constructions.
Step 3. Take stock of the damage suffered
The priority during a hurricane is to keep safe with family and pets; only after you have guaranteed your own safety and that of loved ones, can you begin to check for material damage. Inspect the house for structural problems; if there is something causing concern, contact the authorities as soon as possible and do not approach until the problem is resolved.
- Clean and disinfect anything that may have come into contact with sewage residues, bacteria or chemicals. Throw away spoiled food; if you are unsure about the safety of certain food items, throw them away.
- Keep the water system running and safe. For example, have the ruined septic tank repaired and test the well water to make sure it is not contaminated with chemicals.
- Start dismantling and replacing wet drywall and any other panels that may become moldy.
Step 4. Pump the water out of the basement
You should never enter this flooded venue; in addition to the danger of electrocution, the water could hide debris or be contaminated with bacteria from the sewers. Then use a pump to gradually reduce the water level by about a third each day until it is completely gone.
- Insert a vacuum cleaner in a secure socket on the upper floors and start eliminating the water; keep the cable dry and wear rubber boots as a precaution.
- If you have a large fuel pump, insert the hose into the basement through the window.
- If you can't clear this room safely, call the firefighters to take care of them.
Step 5. Contact the insurance company
If you have an insurance policy that covers damage caused by floods, winds and storms, you may be able to recover some of what you have lost from your home and property; call the agency as soon as possible and submit a claim.
- Prepare a damage report for the insurance report. Take photos and record videos, keep invoices for repairs, materials and even the hotels you've stayed at until your home is back in use.
- If you have had to leave your home, make sure the insurance agent knows how and where to contact you. Try to call him; many companies have a toll-free number that answers 24 hours a day.
- Some people who have found themselves in serious trouble and have lost everything have even painted their address and the name of the home insurance company to attract the attention of the appraisers.
- Try as much as possible to prevent further damage; for example, protect floors with waterproof sheets and cover openings with plywood, plastic or other materials.
Advice
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Here are the various hurricane seasons in the United States:
- Atlantic Basin (Atlantic coast, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico) and Central Pacific Basin: from 1st June to 30th November;
- Eastern Pacific area (up to latitude 140 ° west): May 15 to November 30.
- If someone needs your help, such as the elderly and the sick, call in to get them to a safe area.
- Go outside only if it is absolutely essential; generally, there is no reason to leave the house until the storm has passed.
- Stay alert throughout hurricane season. Government agencies provide free weather forecasts and likely hurricane trajectories, while local media are an excellent source of information to learn about the storm's possible path, its intensity and the impact it could have.
- Don't forget the pets; make sure they have identification devices, such as a dog tag or collar to increase the chances of finding them if they get lost.
- The houses built in the hurricane zones all have a basement. This is the safest room to take refuge in. Watch the news on the forecast TV channel to find out if a hurricane is coming. Stock up on food and put something in front of the windows; make sure you have flashlights and a battery-powered radio to keep you informed of what's going on outside.
- During a hurricane Not take refuge underground! You have to stay high to avoid floods. If you live on the higher floors of a building, go down to the lower ones, but if it's not too late it's better to go to smaller buildings.
