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How to Stay Safe During a Hurricane http://ift.tt/2ga3DVK Hurricane Harvey is careening through the Gulf of Mexico and planning to make landfall in Texas. It might even be the first category 3 hurricane to hit that part of the U.S. in nearly 12 years. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe during the storm. Sign Up for Emergency AlertsStaying in the know can keep you and your family safe. You’ll know if you need to evacuate or whether it’s safer to stay put. Make sure your phone and backup burner phone are setup to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from FEMA through the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). These are free 90-character texts that local authorities can send to mobile devices within range of any cell towers in an affected area. There’s no need to sign up, just make sure your phones are updated and charged. Advertisement Next, do a search for your jurisdiction’s opt-in public alert system, like this: “[town, city, or county name] + emergency alerts” to see how you can sign up. It’s not a bad idea to check with your local emergency management or public safety office either. You can also receive alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service with a NOAA Weather Radio. Do your best to make sure everyone in the family is able to get warnings and alerts—not just you. Know the Difference Between an Advisory, Watch, and WarningWarnings aren’t much help if you don’t know what they mean. Here’s a quick breakdown of hurricane and tropical storm warnings, via FEMA:
These warnings may very well save your life, so take them seriously and don’t blow them off. Be Prepared to EvacuateIt’s very possible local authorities will tell you to evacuate the area, so you need to be prepared to leave in a moment’s notice. Here’s what you need to do to be ready:
Make sure your evacuation plan accounts for everyone in your household, including pets. If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately. Protect Your HouseholdIf you have the time, prepare your home for being battered with high winds, heavy rains, and airborne debris. That means reinforcing doors and protecting windows. If you don’t, wind can literally rip off your roof or cause your walls to collapse. Or at the very least, wreck the inside of your house. Advertisement All windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors should be covered. Plywood is the cheapest option, running less than $20 per 4' x 8' sheet, but it has to be installed properly. According to Bob Sheets, retired director of the National Hurricane Center, here’s how to do it right:
DO NOT tape your windows in hopes of protecting them. It isn’t very effective and this method can actually create larger, more dangerous shards of glass if they break. Advertisement Once you’ve got all openings covered, bring in all of your loose objects sitting out in your yards: patio furniture, garbage cans, bicycles, toys, lawn tools, etc. If something is too big to bring inside, anchor it as best you can outside. Make sure your trees are trimmed too to avoid branches smashing into your home. Unplug your electronics and be sure to shut off all propane tanks. Last but not least, get your home and property ready for potential flooding. Clean debris out of your gutters and drains, elevate your heating system, water heater, and electric panel, and don’t keep any easily-damaged valuables in the basement or in low areas. Hunker Down and Weather the StormIf you choose not to evacuate, or are in an evacuation-optional area, get inside and get safe. Make sure, wherever you are, you’re on somewhat higher ground in case of flooding. Gather your emergency supplies and food, and fill your bathtub with water so you have an extra supply on hand in case you need it. Advertisement Stay away from doors and windows, even if they’re boarded up, and make your way to a windowless room in the lowest part of the house. It could be a basement, a bathroom, a closet, or even a hallway. If possible, lie on the floor under a table or sturdy object during the more violent parts of the storm. It’s also a good idea to have a mattress or pillow with you to protect your head. Be patient, and do not be fooled if there is a lull in the storm. Wait longer than you think you need to. You’re probably just in the eye of the hurricane and the high winds will probably pick up again. Listen to your radio and wait for local officials to say it’s okay to go outside. Bonus: Hurricane Prep ChecklistIt quickly goes over a lot of the major things you need to prepare and take care of (via FEMA): Gadget News via Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com August 24, 2017 at 03:41PM
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October 2020
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