The first thing you must decide is whether you stay or go.
Depending on how close to a body of water, the strength of
your home, especially the roof, you decide. And act.
Many people die because they "can"t leave' their homes.
These homes might not stand up to hurricanes, but make good
coffins.
The force of the wind, especially when it turns everything
in lifts into a lethal weapon, the power of the rain, as it
turns a gentle stream into a raging river, can kill you.
Once the roof goes, everything in the house will be
destroyed, but the walls are likely to remain standing and
closets or slabbed roofed rooms make good shelter.
If the roof doesn't blow off, then the walls may blow in
and the house collapse.
Concrete structures are only as strong as the iron in
their construction. How much iron is in your walls? There
should be one iron rod for every concrete block. Many
builders
cheat. That means the walls will fall in on you.
If the house is well made and water tight, if a hurricane
hits, the pressure inside the house will be so great it
might blow out the windows and doors.
In short, a hurricane is a dangerous and deadly natural
enemy. If there is any way you can get away from it, do
it. It is an experience you don't need.
In Cuba, they have evacuation plans which begin early in the
life of a hurricane. Moving a quarter of a million people one
hundred miles is not unusual. In Jamaica, public buses cease
to run, "chartered" by the government to move people to
shelters.
Not being there when the hurricane is should be first choice
unless your house has already withstood a hurricane and you
know it is sound and safe.
There are many web sites which allow you to track a
hurricane, use all of them. Some are much more helpful than
others.
Most predications as to the course are often spot on, twenty
four, even forty eight hours in advance. Hurricanes usually
move on a west/north west path then turn and move north,
north east.
Looking at older tracking maps will give you a very good
understanding of a path; as those that form at certain
latitudes tend to strike certain areas, and those that
form at others may move harmlessly out to sea.
If you live in a hurricane zone it is a matter of life and
death that you make yourself as hurricane wise as you can.
If you have pets and are leaving your home and can not
take them, release them. Animals are very good at survival.
Locking them in the house, or in a yard, might mean death.
Everything that has value to you should be wrapped in plastic
and put in a safe place.
Your refrigerator is an excellent place. When electricity
goes, so does your food.
If you are staying, cook everything. Leave out some things
to eat today or tomorrow. Turn the fridge to the highest
and do not open it.
At the highest setting, unopened, the food inside your fridge
will keep for two days. After that, it gets real hot inside.
Fridges are pretty sturdy so should survive the hurricane.
Store water. You never have enough water. Save your plastic
bottles and fill and cap them. Once the water goes, the
toilet can not flush, hence using a plastic bag to collect
wastes, which you can dispose of after the storm is a way
to keep yourself safe.
You can "bathe" with a cup of water.
Wet a rag, wipe yourself with it, wring it out, wipe again.
Use the tiniest amount of soap that is easily washed away
with a few drops of water.
If you are unsure of the water, pour a little Listerine
into it. If you have caught rain water, put a little oil,
cooking oil is good, on the top to prevent bugs from using
it. Do not drink rain water. You can bathe with it, (using
your Listerine) but never trust it.
When you are unsure of the water, put two drops of bleach
in each half gallon container and let it sit for a half
hour. It will purify the water.
When the hurricane is eminent, if your area has not shut
off electricity, shut it off yourself. Unplug everything,
turn off the electricity.
Block up all windows. Stay away from them. A hurricane
may begin with rain, thunderstorms, wind, you'll know when
it is there. It is absolutely terrifying.
If you hear a hum, or pressure is increasing, find a window
away from the storm and open it a little bit. You may have
to close it periodically, but that escape of pressure will
protect you.
When the eye passes, this means the hurricane is coming back
in the other direction. You may have fifteen minutes to do
whatever you need to do.
You may have to patch a roof, move something, rescue someone
or something, but move fast. Make sure you wear the stoutest
shoes you have. Avoid any wires. They might be live.
Then get back inside and wait.
A hurricane lasts from twenty four to twelve to eight hours.
It depends on it's size and it's speed. Some linger for
weeks, pouring rain on an already saturated ground.
During a hurricane, do not ever attempt to cross a river.
Evacuate before it starts. During is not wise. You will
be swept away.
Make a plan before the hurricane starts as to where you will
shelter in case of emergencies. In case your house blows
down, you might have a chance to get there
