With the approach of Hurricane Irene and the possibility it could affect up to 65 million people, I thought I’d share some information on hurricane preparedness. If you live anywhere along the east coast (or any area that could be impacted by other storms), it is vital that you be properly prepared well before a storm hits.
If the authorities order an evacuation, even if it’s voluntary, heed the warnings to leave the area. It is best to find safety elsewhere than to be stuck in the path of a storm. When the winds pick up, stay inside since flying debris is very dangerous. Even small objects being blown with hurricane force winds, can be extremely dangerous.
For Irene and any other hurricane, it is best to be prepared so you have adequate supplies. For some great checklists, check out this site: Hurricane Safety Checklists from the National Hurricane Survival Initiative.
Another reason to evacuate if you live near the coast is storm surge. There are many factors that influence the severity of a storm surge, but some of the more devastating surges are over 20 feet higher than normal ocean levels. A storm surge of even a few feet can cause a lot of damage. For a great web site that explains the storm that also has animations, check out Storm Surge from the National Weather Service.
Here are some other useful sites:
During a hurricane (National Weather Service)
Creating a Disaster Supply Kit (National Weather Service
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