There are some simple things you can do to prepare for a hurricane and none of them include running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The last thing you want to do is panic. Here are some guidelines of preparedness that will keep things running smoothly during a storm and the days that follow.
1. Plan on not having any power. One of the most important things you will need is light sources. Have two or three flashlights on-hand with plenty of batteries. I recommend a headlamp, it is extremely useful during power outages, mainly by freeing up your hands for other things. Another light source is candles. Make sure you have at least one in every room you will be living in during the storm and the days following it. Keep matches and lighters in a safe, dry place.
2. Have a plentiful supply of bottled water. If you live on well water it could be weeks before you can use you water again. I recommend having gallon jugs as well as smaller, refillable bottles.
3. When it comes to a food supply, buy only non-perishable canned and dry goods. Your fridge is not going to work so don't fill it before a storm. That goes for your freezer too. Some good non-perishable foods are: any kind of canned food or juice, bread, crackers, peanut butter, nuts and dried fruits, potato chips, pretzels, and dried meats (jerky). If you are going to be cooking perishable food I recommend having a cooler that can be filled with ice and plenty of zip-lock bags and tupperware. Make sure you have plenty of propane or charcoal for your grill, most all cooking can be done on it.
4. Keep a first aid kit fully stocked and easy to access. A basic first aid kit should have band aids, adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, scissors, anti-burn ointment, Tylenol or aspirin, a thermometer, tweezers, and some antibiotic ointment. It is also good to keep plenty of towels and blankets available and in close proximity with you first aid kits.
5. Have a plan in case you need to leave your home. You never know when you will need to evacuate so it is good to have a bag or suitcase ready to go. Pack enough clothing and personal provisions for a few days. Contact your local shelters for information regarding evacuation. Fill you gas tank and any other canisters with extra fuel. Keep a profusion of cash on-hand (smaller bills if possible), many businesses that are open may not be able to run their credit card machines.
6. If you live near the water you will most likely experience flooding. If anything important is stored in your basement it is good to move them to an elevated area to prevent water damage. If you have a sump-pump, make sure it is functioning properly. Park your car in a elevated area away from possible flood zones. If you live in a wooded area, take precautionary action to minimize damage from falling trees. If possible, board or tape you windows and secure any areas of your home that may be damaged by high wind, loose debris and water.
7. Your mobile phone will be an important resource during and after a storm. Keep it fully charged and make sure you have a car charger for it (it may be the only way to charge your phone for several days).
8. Have your favorite books and board/card games ready! Your TV and computer won't be functioning so get ready to entertain yourself the old fashion way.
9. If you are completely power dependent, plan on purchasing a generator. Generators can come in handy for running your lights and fridge, or if you plan on hosting any kind of 'hurricane party'. They are also good to have just in case you need to run any power equipment during post-storm clean-up.
10. Be ready to lend a helping hand. Some people may have it much worse than you and everyone can use a little help during times of disaster. Do what you can to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
One of the worst things you can do is under estimate an oncoming hurricane. Be ready to weather the storm many days ahead of time, don't wait until the last minute. If you can, document the storm and any damage with photographs. This will help you insurance company assess the damage and get you back up and running as soon as possible. Once again, don't panic. Stay calm and think before you act. Most of all - stay safe.
Hello Drake,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I would like to comment on your format for this 'how-to' guide for hurricane preparation. I like the use of numerical bullets because it feels like a check-list almost, which is vital for emergencies.
I found one error in the sentence; "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off"; 'it's' supposed to be 'its' as in belonging to.
Other than that, I found this post to be great, an interesting read and more importantly, helpful and informative. Cheers.
You offer good, solid advice on a subject, which, unfortunately, you are all too familiar with. It comes through loud and clear in your writing! Personally, I’d rather be reading hurricane-preparedness instructions from someone like you, who actually lived through one recently (or was it a tropical storm after hitting land?), than, say, some anonymous person writing for a government agency.
ReplyDeleteYou seemed to have covered all the bases, and though I already knew many of the tips on the list, I liked the way you elaborated on each, like when you spoke about first aid: “A basic first aid kit should have band aids, adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, scissors, anti-burn ointment, Tylenol or aspirin, a thermometer, tweezers, and some antibiotic ointment.” Also, I liked the tip about the cellphone: “Keep it fully charged and make sure you have a car charger for it (it may be the only way to charge your phone for several days).” I don’t recall hearing that one too often.
I suppose you could have also added hand-cranked radios and flashlights to the list (I learned that from living in South Florida), and maybe warned people about the dangers of indoor barbequing (believe it or not, some people actually try this).
I’m glad that you addressed evacuation, too, but I would have liked to gotten a little more advice on when it’s time to evacuate — how do people gauge the situation? You and your family opted to stay and ride the storm out, but others didn’t. How do you know when it’s time to leave?
That’s all, really thorough job. Thanks.
I was just writing to Julia about tips versus instructions. Maybe I should be clearer about this in my assignment instructions, but the difference between tips and instructions is similar to the difference between anecdote and data.
ReplyDeleteI like this piece, especially because of your experience, as Sadie also points out. It might be helpful to bring more of that experience into the piece. Sadie asked when should a person evacuate and that was something your family struggled with. If you are going to write anecdotally, than let people learn from your story.
You could also add more facts.
The difference between tips and instructions is precisely how much water I should have. How many gallons of water should I have on hand per member of the household?
Tips suggest. Instructions tell me exactly what to do. That is important for this assignment because instructions give you a concrete idea of how well you are writing. If the reader can learn how to do something based solely on your words than you are reaching them. If they can sort of make it through a storm, it could have been your tips or just luck.
Everything you write is a set of instructions for the reader on how to follow your thoughts. And we lose people far more often than they let us know.
The success of software, an algorithm or app, depends on how user-friendly we make the process for the audience. Again, it is about putting ourselves in their shoes and making sure we don’t miss any steps so they don’t become lost.
A user can either use your software or not. Then a user can either want to use your software or not. It is the same test with writing. Are your essays a pleasure or a pain to read?
Try a few sets of instructions. See if you can teach a person how to change a tire by handing them a tire iron and your algorithm on paper. It becomes serious when you realize the car could fall on them if you miss something or relate it poorly.
It is another way to proofread everything you write –always making sure your train of thought makes sense and that the reader can follow it.
There are at least three yous in here that should be yours. Proofread your work aloud if you must. Make sure each sentence sounds correct.
This piece is engaging, but it could be more exacting. Good effort.