Hello Neighbors--                                                          Additional Hurricane Links

 

Hurricane season began as it does every year on June 1. Within 10 days there was a category 1 hurricane bearing down on the Florida panhandle. After Isabel many Queensmill residents talked about preparedness & how unprepared we all were. Since my husband & I are both graduates of CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), I thought that this would be a good time & place to go over some basics. Since this could be pretty lengthy you can find more on the Queensmill website (www.queensmill.org).

 

So as not to overwhelm anyone, let’s take this in steps to ensure that you have the items that may be needed. We are going to prepare a hurricane supply kit.

 

Week One

Hardware Store:
  • containers to hold disaster supply kit (large plastic tub with lid, backpack, etc.)
  • flashlights
  • portable tool kit
  • roll of duct tape
  • utility knife
  • tarp (to cover a leaky roof if necessary)
  • battery-operated radio
  • batteries for flashlights and radio

Purchase or gather from existing household supply:

  • blanket or sleeping bag for each member of the household
  • small pillow for each member of the household
  • towels
  • books or games for entertainment
  • local road map
  • set of extra clothing and shoes for each member of the household

Week Two

Grocery Store:
  • cans of meat for each member of the household (i.e., tuna, chicken, chili, beef stew, corned beef)
  • cans of ready-to-eat soup for each member of the household
  • cans of vegetables for each member of the household
  • cans of fruit for each member of the household
  • box of heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
  • box of zip-lock food storage bags for storing important papers and small items
  • hand-operated can opener

 

 

 

 

Week Three

Drug Store:
  • toothbrush for each member of the household
  • large tube toothpaste
  • bottles of necessary over-the-counter and prescription medications
  • box of sanitary wipes or liquid hand sanitizer
  • feminine hygiene supplies
  • bottle of shampoo
  • family-size first aid kit

Week Four

Grocery Store:
  • gallons of water for each member of the household, including pets (at least one gallon per person per day)
  • containers/boxes quick energy snacks (granola bars, nuts, raisins, trail mix)
  • jar of peanut butter
  • large cans of juice (not concentrate)
  • rolls of paper towels
  • 6-roll pack of toilet paper

If needed, purchase extra items for:
  • pets (food, leashes, toys, etc.)
  • children (baby food, formula, diapers, coloring books, etc.)
  • elderly or special needs family members (hearing aid batteries, medications, special food, etc.)

We had kerosene lanterns & a short wave radio during Isabel & now have a crank style radio.

 

Watch vs Warning:

 

A hurricane watch simply means that hurricane conditions are possible in our area within the next 36 hours.

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in our area within 24 hours. Conditions indicate that winds, surge, waves, flooding or any combination of those typical of a hurricane are probable.

When a watch is issued:

Carefully monitor the Weather Channel & local broadcasts for the storm’s progress, make sure your vehicle is fueled & running properly, fill propane tank for your grill, get prescriptions filled

When a warning is issued:

 

Again, be monitoring the storm, complete your preparation activities (storing loose objects from yards, decks & porches, etc), fill sanitized containers with fresh drinking water, get your supply kit out,  check your perishables, check your flashlights & batteries, prepare evacuation suitcases just in case, freeze water in milk jugs, stay indoors.

Special note: The eye of a hurricane is just a rest until the worst of the storm approaches. Stay indoors until the warning has been lifted!!!

 

Tune to the Weather Channel (Comcast cable channel 25) for constant updates and/or WRVA (1140 am). An NOAA weather radio is worth its weight in gold during weather emergencies. Short wave radios are good as well.

 

Category? What category?

 

Hurricanes are classified in categories. The categories are based on a scale (Saffir Simpson Scale) that rate the hurricanes on their wind speed.

 

            Category 1=Winds of 74-94 mph, storm surge of 4-5’ (Isabel)

            Category 2=Winds of 96-110 mph, storm surge of 6-8’ (Isabel at VA/NC border)

            Category 3=Winds of 111-130 mph, storm surge of 9-12’

            Category 4=Winds of 131-155 mph, storm surge of 13-18’

Category 5=Winds of greater than 155 mph, storm surge greater than 18’ (very rare)

 

Please check out the Queensmill website for additional information.

 

Be safe!

 

Kaye