As many Americans discovered after Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, it is vitally important to prepare for a hurricane well ahead of its landfall. By the time a strong Category 3, 4 or 5 storm strikes an area, there's very little anyone can do to prevent or minimize widespread damage. Surprisingly, much of the damage caused by a hurricane is caused by flooding, not by the high winds accompanying the initial storm. Preparing for a hurricane is like preparing for a tornado, a power failure and a major flood all at the same time.
One way to prepare for a hurricane is to generate two separate survival plans - one for evacuation and the other for remaining at home. You should purchase and stock enough supplies to make either plan workable within a day's notice. Since a hurricane is a slow-moving weather event, most coastal areas have time to prepare for a hurricane's arrival. If the strength of the storm is sufficiently high and a direct hit is predicted, officials may issue a mandatory evacuation order for citizens living in the affected area.
To prepare for a hurricane evacuation order, you should be aware of all shelter options available. You may need to move your family in with a relative or friend living outside the projected path of the hurricane. Since highways tend to become congested after a mandatory evacuation is ordered, it's best to make the trip as soon as you've secured your home. Be sure to pack a generous supply of self-contained foods and drinking water. Fill up your vehicle's gas tank at the first sign of potential weather trouble. Hotels tend to reach full capacity quickly, so make reservations sooner rather than later.
If you are planning to remain in your home during a Category 1 or 2 event, then you must prepare for a hurricane with a different mindset. Most homeowners use sheets of plywood to board up windows before the high winds arrive. A portable electric generator powered with gasoline is also a wise investment. If the power should fail after the hurricane has passed, you should be able to keep vital appliances such as refrigerators and medical equipment operating. A generous supply of drinking water and canned foods should also be kept on hand for the days after the storm.
When you prepare for a hurricane, you're preparing for the worst case scenario and hoping for the best case scenario. You may want to check on elderly or physically challenged neighbors to make sure they have a means of surviving or escaping the hurricane. Gather important documents and photographs and store them in waterproof containers. Make sure you have sufficient supplies of food and clean bedding for pets, since it may be several days before stores can reopen. Check the batteries in radios and flashlights and be sure to keep a set of replacement batteries for all devices.
Above all else, to prepare for a hurricane, watch the local and national television broadcasts for current information and forecasts. Do not rely solely on the opinions of seasoned neighbors, even if the conditions don't appear threatening at the moment. Hurricanes can change direction and intensity without warning, so prepare for a hurricane by becoming proactive with your survival plans. As survivors of major hurricanes can attest, defying an evacuation order can be the last poor decision you ever make.
