Merriam Webster dictionary defines hurricane as an extremely large,
powerful, and destructive storm with very strong winds that occurs especially
in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. Thursday, October 1, 2015 hurricane
Joaquin was battering parts of Bahamas. Three years ago (October, 2015),
hurricane Sandy destroyed New York and New Jersey. When Sandy attacked it left
in its trail more than 120 people dead and property worth $70 billion damaged.
Joaquin is the third hurricane in the 2015 Atlantic season.
Another name for hurricane is tropical cyclone. In the
Northern Atlantic Ocean, the hurricane season occurs between June 1 and
November 30. The statistical high for the season is September 10.
When a hurricane alert is given what then should be the
practical proactive things to do? Since hurricanes are seasonal, the following
to-do list should always come in handy.
1. EVACUATION
Leave a storm surge
area when a hurricane alert is given. A storm surge is abnormal rise of water
caused by wind during a hurricane. When the hurricane attacks it destroys
property and kills people. Some people have emotional attachment to their homes
so they find it difficult to leave. If you leave outside a storm surge area
still take safety precaution. Please note that during a hurricane it is not the
wind that causes major damage, it is flood from tidal surge which to a large
extent kills people and damages property.
2. EMERGENCY
SUPPLIES
Buy some basic needs in
advance and keep them nearby. The things you should have with you should
include water, food, blanket and clothing. You could use a cell phone to inform
your relatives and friends to assure them of your safety and/or whereabouts.
The US Department of Homeland Security includes the following in their
hurricane kit:
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight and batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Local map
3. INSURE
YOUR PROPERTY
It will be wise to
insure your property against flood. With this done it should be easy for you to
restore or replace your damaged property. In Accra, Ghana, on June 3, 2015,
when we had a big flood, many people lost their uninsured property. Because of
that many were emotionally devastated. Some had to start all over again to
replace properties they have acquired in their lifetime. There are many
insurance companies in Ghana that could help you insure your property against
such disasters.
4. COPY
YOUR DOCUMENTS
Make copies of your
important documents; copies of certificates, investment papers, citations,
papers relating to your house itself etc. and keep them outside of the danger
area. If you could not copy them, and it becomes critical, stuff them in a
water-proof bag and tie it to a place in the room to secure it, maybe the
second floor of the building.
5. PROTECT
YOUR HOUSE
Fortify your house.
Board up your windows and, secure your furniture. Nail down loose roofing sheets.
Plug any gap in the building. Loose parts of the building provide opening for
the hurricane to rip apart the building. Secure objects in your yard likely to
be blown away by the hurricane. Turn off gas to prevent gas leaks from broken
gas lines.
6. BACK
UP ELECTRONIC GADGETS
Store data and information in your gadgets on another device in advance, and keep them well outside the area to be hit by the hurricane. Keep batteries and chargers nearby. Better still take the gadgets out of the danger zone. If you should stay in the house, and in a storey building, take your electronic gadgets to the top floor.
Abide by this saying: a stitch in time saves nine.
Reference:
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/six-ways-to-prepare-for-tropical-storms-hurricanes-atlantic-season/46771146
Comments
Post a Comment