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Hurricane Preparedness

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Careful planning and preparation might save your life when the Big One comes howling ashore, and it surely will help keep your misery index to a minimum in the dreary aftermath.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking it won't happen here, that somehow that whirling wall of wind and rain will steer clear at the last moment. "People in South Florida thought the same thing before Hurricane Andrew: 'It can't happen to me.' That's a fact of life that indeed it is going to happen someday," said Bob Sheets, retired director of the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables. "You may be one who's not affected. But the consequences of not preparing for it can be catastrophic."

Sheets, who spent 30 years in the hurricane forecasting business, said people in South Florida and coastal South Carolina know full well the destructive power of a hurricane after Andrew in 1992 and Hugo in 1989. But people living on the fringes of those areas might not fully appreciate what such massive storms can do. So, being ready is the key to getting yourself and your family through the storm with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

Before the Storm

This is the critical time. You should begin planning even before a storm threatens, though realistically, many final preparations will be made as the hurricane nears shore. Typically, there is adequate warning, but beware that some hurricanes form or change course quickly.

There are many things to consider when making a plan for the safety of your family and your home.

For starters, be aware of where you live and whether it is likely you will need to evacuate. If you live on a barrier island, near the coast, in a flood zone or in a mobile home within the warning area, there's a good possibility you'll need to leave. If so, figure out in advance where you will go - either to a shelter, the home of a friend or relative, or perhaps a hotel farther inland. And don't forget to make plans for pets. Most storm shelters don't allow them.

To protect your property, check your insurance policy to make sure coverage is adequate. Also, storm panels or shutters are not a bad idea. That isn't something you can do at the last minute. Taping windows doesn't protect glass, but might prevent deadly shards of broken glass from flying through the house. Next, you'll need provisions to carry you through a chaotic week - or more - after the storm. Remember, there may be no electricity or clean water for days. And downed trees will keep you from traveling far.

You should begin assembling a hurricane kit at the beginning of the season. Some things you will need: a radio and batteries, flashlight, manual can opener, first-aid kit, toiletries, eating utensils, masking tape and zip-lock bags to keep valuables safe from water.

The most important thing will be food and water. You'll need about a gallon of water per day for each family member, for drinking and brushing teeth. Plan for at least three days. It's a good idea to sterilize the bathtub and fill it with water just before the storm.

Buy plenty of nonperishable foods, because there won't be any refrigeration. If you have food in your refrigerator and freezer, turn the temperature to the coldest setting possible, and when the power goes out, open the doors as seldom as possible.

You'll need a way to cook, so a portable, non-electric stove or grill is a good idea. Or, a supply of Sterno is helpful if you have a fondue pot or chafing dish to use. Generally, though, buy food that doesn't need cooking.

Finally, as the storm approaches, gas up the car and get plenty of cash. You'll need it. This is something many people forget. Banks will be closed, automatic teller machines won't be working and credit cards will be useless.

Think also about entertainment. Stow a few games in the hurricane kit to fight boredom.

One last hint before the storm comes: Shop early. Grocery stores will be packed with frenzied customers and shelves will be emptied quickly.

Recommended Grocery List:

Should you Evacuate?

Who should evacuate? And when? These are questions that invariably arise whenever a hurricane is bearing down on the coast.

The answer depends on a variety of factors, including where you live, what type of home you have, whether you can miss several days of work, and how strong the storm is. But there are some general rules to remember.

The first is: You should evacuate to avoid high water, not wind.

"Ninety percent of the people who lose their life in a hurricane lose it because of storm surge. That is the killer,'' said Larry Gispert, director of Hillsborough County Emergency Planning Operations.

There's an important exception to this rule, however. If you live in a mobile home or manufactured home, you should always leave when an evacuation order is given, regardless of how far you are from the coast.

Staying tuned to the radio or television for an evacuation order is crucial, Gispert said. Be familiar with the hurricane evacuation map for your area. These typically can be obtained free at public libraries, fire stations and post offices. Also, the map is printed in most telephone books, in the front of the white or Yellow Pages.

The map shows which areas would be flooded in each of the five categories of hurricanes. If you know, for instance, that your neighborhood would be flooded by a Category 3 storm, you should to be ready to leave if an evacuation order comes for a storm of that strength.

"The barrier islands and some of the immediate coastal areas, where the waves are going to be breaking, that's where you get buildings destroyed,'' said Bob Sheets, retired director of the National Hurricane Center. "Those are the high-risk people.''

Residents in these high-risk areas and mobile homes should consider leaving even before an order is given. This will help them avoid clogged highways. Finding an inland hotel room can be impossible for people waiting until the last minute to evacuate.

"If you're one who has the freedom to make those kind of choices two to three days in advance, then it's a good time to go visit the children in Atlanta or wherever,'' Sheets said. ``But you have a very high false alarm rate.''

People living in mobile homes simply may want to move across the street into a neighbor's house, provided they are well away from the coast.

If you don't live in an area facing storm surge - as shown on the map - and you don't live in a mobile or manufactured home, chances are you can ride out the storm at home. "If you live in a well-constructed house and you have covers for the windows, and you're away from the water problem, personally I would stay right there,'' Sheets said.

As a last resort, go to a local shelter. There isn't enough space in shelters to house everyone, and it won't be comfortable there, so if at all possible, find an alternative.

Don't Flee Unnecessarily

Florida emergency management officials are trying to curb the disturbing trend of too many people trying to flee an approaching hurricane.

A survey done after 1995's Hurricane Opal found two out of three people who used public shelters in Santa Rosa County did not live in an evacuation zone. There even were cases of people who lived in the northern part of the county - out of harm's way - who drove south toward the Gulf of Mexico and the hurricane to spend the night in a crowded school.

What officials are trying to prevent is turning evacuation routes into parking lots. In addition, the state has such a shelter deficit that there is no way to accommodate all the people fleeing a storm.

"If you're going to evacuate, evacuate early,'' said Larry Walker, emergency operations coordinator with the Florida's Department of Transportation. "It is a tough decision to make.''

Turning interstates or Florida's Turnpike into one-way evacuation routes is not the answer either, Walker said. It would take 579 law enforcement officers to man the turnpike for 36 to 40 hours to close exit and entrance ramps and make sure traffic was routed safely in one direction.

Using the shoulder as a traffic lane also is a bad alternative, he said. Because there are so many bridges that don't have a shoulder, traffic would have to merge back with the normal lanes.

Make every effort to be sure that your decision to flee a storm is the right one.

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During the Storm

If you have evacuated, then you should be safe and secure somewhere. But most people ride out the storm in their homes.

First and foremost, find the safest room in the house to hunker down when things get really rough. Turn off the electricity.

"Generally, an interior closet would be the best place," Sheets said.

A bathroom might also work. The key is to find a place with no windows or exterior doors. The closer to the center of the house the better. Find some way to reinforce the door to keep the wind out. And take food, drinks, a flashlight and any medicine you need with you into the room. The storm could last up to 12 hours. Keep a radio handy so you'll know what's going on outside. You might also consider some games or books.

"Also, it's important, I think, not to be alone," Sheets said. "If there's family or friends around, you're going to get through it a lot better than if you're alone and frightened."

When things finally grow quiet outside, be careful. The eye of the hurricane is probably passing over. If you venture outside, you could be in trouble. The 'eye wall' surrounding the calm eye typically has the strongest wind and soon will hit.

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After the Storm

If the storm was bad, the next few days will be something you'll never forget. Obviously, you'll want to ensure that family members are OK. Then, try to secure the house as best you can to keep out looters and rain. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.

Be careful when you go outside. Stay away from dangling power lines or metal fences to avoid electrocution. Be extremely careful on the road if you try to drive. If you begin cutting branches away with a chain saw, again, take caution.

"Amazingly, a large number of people lose their lives after the event," Sheets said.

Avoid high water. You can be swept away from fast-flowing streams, either in your car or on foot. High water also may harbor snakes, alligators or other wild animals.

If possible, take care of yourself and don't rely on emergency relief. There may be others out there who need it worse, Sheets said. But if you do need help, it's on the way. Expect an outpouring of support in the way of food, blankets, diapers and water. But lines will be long, and you can expect to wait for hours in the hot sun.

Some things will cost you, hence the need for cash. You might have to pay someone exorbitant prices to cut the tree down from your roof or patch it up to keep the rain out. A bag of ice will bring premium prices, maybe $10.

It could be days before there are working telephones, so out-of-town relatives might not know your status. When you do finally get a line, call one relative and let that person call the others. This will avoid tying up telephone lines and keep others around the country from wondering whether their loved ones survived.

Tips for After the Storm

Other precautions to remember are to use disinfected water for brushing teeth, cleaning contact lenses and washing hands. This is important in preventing the spread of disease.

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