Hurricane season is just around the corner and will last from June to November. ABC News reports that over 1.8 million homes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at the greatest risk of receiving damage caused by hurricanes. The amount of homes in this at-risk zone is three times greater than those in flood zones defined by the federal government, according to CoreLogic. This means that two-thirds, or 66%, of the homes that are most likely to receive storm damage from a hurricane are outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones. The ABC News report states that the homes with the most risk of experiencing hurricane damage include those in New Orleans, La.; Tampa, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Long Island, NY and Miami, Fla.
In addition to damaging high wind speeds and rain, hurricanes can cause storm surges and extensive water damage. Storm surges are when sea or ocean water breaks through structures designed to prevent flooding. Surges can cause massive flooding and can carry harmful debris. However, the states most vulnerable to a direct hit from a hurricane, according to ABC News, are Texas and Florida.
In the last ten years, eight Category 5 hurricanes (the strongest kind) in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea made landfall in North and Latin America. Colorado State University researchers predict there is a 72 percent chance that U.S. will experience the devastation of at least one major hurricane during the 2011 hurricane season.
“LARGE HURRICANE EARL CONTINUES RELENTLESSLY TOWARD THE NORTHWEST…POSES A THREAT TO THE MID ATLANTIC COAST…” This statement tops the National Hurricane Center’s section on Hurricane Earl, the latest tropical storm to hit the U.S. Hurricane Earl is expected to make landfall on the East Coast within the next 48 hours, promoting thousands of residents and tourists in the coastal areas North Carolina and the surrounding states, such as Virginia, to evacuate.
“Earl’s effect on the East Coast will depend on when it makes its expected turn to the northeast.
“A later-than-expected turn could mean the storm’s eye makes landfall on the extreme eastern tip of North Carolina as a Category 3 storm late Thursday or early Friday.
“If that happens, hurricane-force winds also could reach New York’s Long Island and Cape Cod in Massachusetts.”
The National Hurricane Center recommends you take the following actions when a hurricane is predicted for your area:
BEFORE a Hurricane:
Put your emergency disaster kit together. Make sure they are in one location in your home.
Write out your emergency disaster plan. Discuss the plan with your family, nominate an out-of-town family contact, and decide on an evacuation area and meet-up spot should you get separated.
During a Hurricane WATCH:
Double-check your emergency disaster kit. Replenish anything in it that may be low, such as water, medications and batteries for flashlights and radios.
Take protective and preventative measures that may take extra time. Such measures may include filling your car with gas, securing your boat or boarding up the windows of your home or place of business.
During a Hurricane WARNING:
Have your emergency disaster kit ready to grab and go.
Put your emergency disaster plan into action. Decide on the safest location to wait-out the hurricane.
A look at the weather map shows three storms swirling in the Atlantic Ocean today: Danielle, Earl and the latest, Fiona. Danielle, once just a tropical storm, is now a category 4 hurricane—the first major one of the season. Hurricane Danielle is reported to have 135 mph winds and a path that leads it east of Bermuda at the moment. Tropical Storm Earl only has 45 mph winds, but MSNBC reports its path looks a little more problematic and is worth watching closely. Tropical Storm Fiona just developed off the east coast of Africa and few details are known about it right now.
Prepare Your Home against Hurricane Water Damage
With storms starting late in the hurricane season, home and business owners need to keep back-to-school preparations and hurricane preparations in the back of their minds. A common misconception about hurricanes is that their winds cause the most damage. However, the truth is that water is a hurricane’s most damaging factor. Two-inches of water flooding a home can cost up to $8,000 in repairs.
‘Tis the season for hurricanes, and it’s up to you to be prepared:
Know the most vulnerable places in your building or home. Find cracks and seal them ASAP, even if the weather forecast is nice. Make sure you focus on cracks around windows and doors since those can make a little bit of water turn into a big problem.
Have sandbags ready. Even if you are not technically in a flood zone, it’s always smart to place sandbags in the areas under the doors of your home and business when the weather is nasty.
Place important items and items you do not want getting wet on the second story of a business or home. If you have heavy furniture, raise it onto cinderblocks.
Cover your belongings with a plastic tarp; your electronic equipment will thank you. Though a room may not flood, there is always the potential for a leak in the roof.
Call a professional ASPAP if there is any water damage after a storm. The longer water damaged items and wet documents sit around, the more damage they will experience. Additionally, bacteria and mold thrive in and on wet or damp items, which could put your family’s health at risk.
It only takes a couple hours of work to protect your belongings from water damage and save you thousands of dollars. Make an emergency preparedness checklist today.
Alex, the first named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Experts think there are good chances the storm could turn into a hurricane as it moves over the Gulf’s warm waters. The Associated Press states, “…the storm’s direction is not on track to hit the BP oil spill on the northeastern end of the Gulf. Maximum sustained winds Sunday night were 45 mph.”
So far, Tropical Storm Alex has proven deadly in the Central American states it has already visited. Meteorologists predict the storm will not make landfall in the United States, but will land in Mexico instead. However, it is important to remember that a tropical storm’s track can suddenly change and/or strengthen.
Be Prepared
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your area, there are some basic hurricane preparedness tips to keep in mind.
Make sure you are covered. Most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by water, whether it is from a burst pipe or flood waters. Get flood insurance before it is too late.
Know the hazards in your community and where to seek shelter. Be aware of areas that are likely to flood when there is heavy rainfall. In addition, create a map with highlighted route in the event you need to seek shelter. Remember to keep in mind possible road closures.
3. Know the safest area of your home.
Have your emergency disaster kit ready to go. This kit should have a list of important phone numbers, insurance policy information, a first aid kit, food and water rations, prescription medicines, flashlights, a radio and extra batteries.
Secure your property. Fill your vehicles with gasoline and park them in a garage. Move valuables away from the windows. Place boards or lower hurricane shutters over windows. Fill all tubs and sinks with water.
The beginning of summer for residents in areas frequented by natural disasters means it is time to start preparing for what may come. Summertime marks the beginning of wildfires and hurricane season. The National Disaster Education Coalition states every person, no matter where they live, should learn what disasters could impact their area(natural and man-made), make an emergency disaster plan, create a list of emergency contacts, make sure they are properly insured and have a pre-made disaster kit.
Summertime Natural Disasters
The most notable natural disasters during the summer months are wildfires and hurricanes. Although experts predict a typical wildfire season this summer, the “Jackson County Floridian” states NOAA weather and emergency management experts expect an active hurricane season with at least five Category 3 storms. The warning prompted Governor Charlie Crist of Florida to write a note to the state’s citizens reminding them to prepare for hurricanes in advance and make sure they have adequate flood insurance coverage now.
Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Being prepared is not expensive and can actually save you money in the end because emergency supplies such as food and water can cost more before, during and after a disaster because they will be in high demand.
The National Hurricane Center encourages you to know and do the following in the event of any type of emergency:
The safest rooms in your home
Know the escape routes out of your home, city, county and state
Appoint a person to be single point of contact that everyone can call in the event of an emergency. This person should not live in the same state as you.
Know what you are going to do with your pets in the event of a disaster
Post emergency numbers near home phones and teach your children how to call 911
Hurricane season is just around the corner and will last from June to November. ABC News reports that over 1.8 million homes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at the greatest risk of receiving damage caused by hurricanes. The amount of homes in this at-risk zone is three times greater than those in flood zones defined by the federal government, according to CoreLogic. This means that two-thirds, or 66%, of the homes that are most likely to receive storm damage from a hurricane are outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones. The ABC News report states that the homes with the most risk of experiencing hurricane damage include those in New Orleans, La.; Tampa, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Long Island, NY and Miami, Fla.
