Reprinted from June 2005 CIO Customer Services Newsletter
 Summer brings the warming of Atlantic waters that spawns tropical storms, many of which will develop into hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June through November with the storms typically becoming more frequent and more powerful toward the end of the season. However, that does not mean we can be lulled by the lazy, hazy days of summer. Hurricane Katrina gave us an object lesson that even early season storms can be devastating.
The best time to begin preparations for a hurricane is long before one approaches. There are things to buy, plans to make and habits to develop to give you a head start when a hurricane warning comes.
PURCHASES to Consider
- S.A.M.E. Radio or NOAA Weather Radio – The S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoder) radio is a digital weather and all hazards alert monitor with specific area message encoder that replaces the old emergency weather broadcasts. It automatically "wakes up" and alerts of emergency broadcast information. Check the radio frequency for your location at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/sc/slsc.htm. The National Weather Service radio frequency for the greater Columbia area: 162.400 MHz.
- Battery-Operated TV – A battery-operated television will give you access to emergency information broadcasts while the power is out. Make sure to get spare batteries.
- Power Generator – A power generator is a necessity if someone depends on a power-driven medical aid such as a compressor that drives an inhalation unit. Acquire the fuel and check the supply regularly.
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DC to AC Power Inverter – Buy the largest you can afford. A 600W minimum with battery low shutdown allows you to run a few electrical devices like a radio, television and some lights from your car battery (or other stand-alone batteries). Get the Watt requirements of most common household appliances at http://www.nbpower.com/en/commitment/safety/safety.aspx.
Spare Gas Containers – Purchase only containers that are designed to store gas and keep them full. Also, you will need a funnel that fits into your vehicle’s gas tank access. Remember that gas station pumps will not operate during a power outage.
Basic (old fashioned) Telephone – Basic telephones which plug into the telephone socket only (i.e. they have no power plug) will operate during an electrical outage.
Propane Heater and Full Propane Tank – The propane heater throws off a tremendous amount of heat in any environment; however, like kerosene heaters, they’re not recommended for indoor use because they will consume all of the oxygen in well insulated smaller areas. Keep the propane tank full.
Emergency Tool Kit – Assemble these emergency tools and keep them in an easily retrievable place; store in an easy-to-carry box in case you have to evacuate or relocate:
R duct and masking tape
R garbage bags
R plastic sheeting
R shovel (multiple uses, and also if a make-shift latrine must be built)
R hammer and nails
R wrenches and pliers (to shut off connections, e.g. gas pipelines)
R string or cord and scissors
R  paper and pens or pencils (to write down emergency information, write messages)
Laptop Battery and Car Lighter Power Adapter – Keep your laptop battery charged and remember to take backups of your data regularly.
Spare Cell Phone Battery and Car Lighter Power Adapter – Keep in mind that in an emergency your cell phone may not operate.
Fire Extinguishers and Battery Operated Smoke Alarms – Keep fire extinguishers in ready reach and make sure everyone knows how to operate the fire extinguishers in your home. Consider installing battery-operated smoke alarms which will work when the power is off and check the batteries yearly on an anniversary date, e.g. every New Year’s Day.
PLANS to Make
- Plan an Evacuation Destination and At Least One Alternate – Research routes, including alternate routes. Collect together (or purchase) local, county and city maps to assist in getting out of a stricken area. Remember that bridges are especially susceptible to damage from disasters.
- Have a "Connect Up" Plan with Family Members – Know what your schools’ evacuation plans are. Know where and how to get your school children. Be sure the school has an up-to-date list of adults that may pick up your children.
 Make a List of Battery Requirements – Make a list of all appliances that can use batteries, which type of batteries they use and how many. When warned of a disaster, this list will allow you to quickly know what batteries you should purchase.
- Keep an Old Cell Phone Handy (even if you do not have current cell phone service) – By law, all cellular phones must be able to dial 911 even when not actively subscribed to a service. Put an extra in the trunk of your car along with the car lighter adapter or AC power adapter.
- Collect/List Valuables – Make a list to collect or collect together all valuables you will need to take if you have to evacuate the area or relocate because of damage to your home. Include all important papers, insurance policies, safe deposit box keys, irreplaceable pictures, pin numbers and address/telephone information for relatives, insurance agencies, credit card companies and others you may need to contact. Put all items in a waterproof bag that is easy to carry.
- Plan to Secure Your Property – Install storm shutters or purchase and store window storm covers or plywood (these are often in short supply and may be expensive to purchase when a disaster looms). Keep masking tape on hand; then, if you can’t cover the windows, tape them to reduce shattering (tape regular size windows in an “X”; use multiple cross strips on very large windows). Plan how you will (and purchase the materials to) securely tie down outdoor items (lawn furniture, antennas, satellite dishes, etc.) that can’t be brought indoors.
- Prepare Today – Use the Internet for information – Look up any needed information such as wattage requirements of household appliances, how to purify water using bleach, etc. Expect that the Internet will not be available for prolonged periods because of cyber attacks. Visiting the following sites today and print appropriate material:
http://www.nbpower.com/en/commitment/safety/safety.aspx
http://www.metrokc.gov/prepare/default.aspx
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030207-10.html
HABITS to Develop
 Prescriptions, OTC Medicines and First-Aid Supplies – Get in the habit of refilling prescriptions before they run out. Keep over-the-counter medicines stocked and current – check expiration dates. Keep fully supplied first-aid kits at home and in all cars. Purchase extra batteries for medical aids, e.g. hearing aids.
- Fill Up When Gas Reaches Half Full – Get in the habit of refilling the gas tank when it reaches half full. Also fill gas containers (those designed for gas) and refuel motorbikes, motorized bicycles and other vehicles such as motor boats.
- Lighting – Keep a supply of flashlights with extra batteries, candles, lighters and matches.
- Take Data Backups – Set up a program to take regular backups of home computer data or other electronic storage and make sure to take the backups off site.
- The Clear Desk Habit – Get in the habit of clearing off your desk when you leave. Protect important papers by stowing them in drawers and cabinets, or place them in binders stored on shelves making sure the shelf is full so there is no room for the binders to be easily lifted by wind. Snugly stored binders also resist movement in low level earthquakes.
- Keep Food Pantry Stocked – Keep plenty of food on hand, especially nonperishable items, and ready-to-eat foods which do not require cooking or the addition of water. Purchase a hand-operated (non-electric) can opener. Stock several cans of Sterno (solid heating fuel that comes in cans suitable for use under chafing dishes and fondue pots).
- Stock Plenty of Water for Drinking and Other Purposes – People need to drink an average of one gallon of water a day. Sports drinks also balance electrolytes. Buy and keep bottled drinking water on hand. When storing tap water, use purified containers such as those which once contained purchased drinking water and fill containers with tap water ahead of time. Also, store water for other needs such as washing and flushing toilets. At disaster onset, fill bathtubs.
If you have other tips you’d like to contribute, please send them to:
Paul Creede
Disaster Recovery, CIO
(803) 896-0680 |
