Every family, business, and individual should have a hurricane preparation plan. This can be broken down into things to do now, once under a hurricane watch, once under a hurricane warning, during the storm, and immediately after. This advice is not extensive – remember to take your own unique situation into account.
Now
Emergency contact information: Gather your local police, fire, ambulance, and shelter contact information. Write down the contact details of every member of the family. (Cell phone numbers, land line numbers, business name/address/phone number, school name/address/phone number.) Write down reliable radio station frequencies and phone numbers.
Nominate an Emergency Contact: Share your hurricane preparation plan with them. Consider someone off island who will be able to communicate on your behalf as well as someone on island.
Find your nearest shelter: Find out what shelter covers your neighborhood, even if you have a strong room. If you have a shelter/strong room at home, make sure it is structurally sound and at a high enough elevation to avoid storm surge and flash flooding.
Prepare a basic emergency kit: A Minimum of three days water, food, first aid, and means of communication.
Insurance: Check that your insurance (Home, car, life, medical) policies are up to date. Put copies of your policies and contact information in a safe place.
Check Shutters: Now is the time to check shutters, generators, and cistern pumps. Make sure everything is in working order.
Prepare your property: Trim Trees and make sure you have a plan for outdoor furniture. Remove debris.
Make a list of items for your Hurricane Preparation Kit: What special items will you need? How long do you need to be self sufficient for? Is 10 days enough?
5 Day Cone
The National Hurricane Center issues a 5 day cone showing the expected track of a storm. The accuracy of the predicted track is getting better every year, however, don’t ignore a storm that is tracking a little south or north of you. During the 2017 season, the track accuracy was excellent, but the intensity forecasts were off, particularly for Irma and Maria. Don’t be under-prepared!
Check the NHC website (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) frequently to track developments which may affect you.
If you are in the cone, start preparing your property for a storm.
Review your hurricane preparation plan: Have any contact details changed?
Prepare your property: Put up any shutters that take extra time. Check trees are trimmed back sufficiently. Check for debris. Fill Cisterns, Fill gas tanks.
Gather your Hurricane Preparation Kit: Traffic will only get worse the closer you get to the storm. Prepare as early as possible.
Hurricane / Tropical Storm Watch
A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours before the expected onset of tropical storm force winds in an area. Your shutters should be up and your hurricane preparation kit should be complete.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Finalize your property: All shutters up, cisterns fill, supplies someplace secure.
Top up: Car, generator, cooking gas, phone credit – all the prep work uses up resources faster than normal!
Hurricane / Tropical Storm Warning
A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours before the expected onset of tropical storm force winds in an area. By now you should be focusing on life safety. Continue checking official forecasts and evacuation notices.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Prepare your shelter: Make sure your shelter is secure, and contains at least three days of essential supplies for every member of the family. Don’t forget towels, pillows, and entertainment. Let your emergency contact person know where you are taking shelter.
Charge up: Charge your batteries and have spares on hand. This includes phones, entertainment for the kids, power tools, fans, lights, radios, cistern pump batteries.
Understand the storm: The storm’s speed, direction, and path can all help you prepare. A slow moving storm will last longer. A direct hit will have strong winds from the north, followed by a lull in the eye, and then strong winds from the south. Tornadoes are always possible, bringing strong winds from any direction. If the winds change to the east or west, you can tell if the storm has gone north or south.
During the Storm
Don’t leave your shelter unless absolutely necessary. If the eye passes over you, things may appear calm. Large gusts are still possible within the eye, and the hurricane could restart from the opposite direction without notice. The feeder bands can also bring tornadoes and unexpectedly strong winds before or after the storm.
After the Storm
Do what is necessary to secure your immediate safety. Make sure the breakers are off so the power doesn’t come on unexpectedly.
Begin the long task of cleaning up, and don’t forget to check on your neighbors. Some tasks are easier when done together.
Stay off the roads wherever possible to let the emergency crews do their job.
Asses the situation: Do you have your immediate needs met? Shelter, water, food, communication.
Make contact: When possible and safe, contact your nominated emergency contact person. Make a list of immediate needs to pass on. Don’t forget to preserve your phone battery and credit.
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Part of a series:
Basic Emergency Plan
Hurricane Preparation Plan
Basic Emergency Kit
Hurricane Preparation Kit
Permaculture and Emergency Preparation
