Hurricane Preparedness Plan, Prepare, Stay Informed

Presented by:

Jim Messina, Ph.D.

Lead Disaster Mental Health Services

Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross

Get Yourself Prepared

Bill Read, director of the National Hurricane Center, said, “Our forecasters are ready to track any tropical cyclone, from a depression to a hurricane, which forms in the Atlantic Basin. We urge coastal residents to have a hurricane plan in place before the season begins and NHC will continue to provide the best possible forecast to the public.”

What is the Forecast for 2008?

Philip Klotzback and Bill Gray have predicted it will be an above average year for Named Storms

On May 22, 2008: the National Hurricane Center said outlook indicates a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale)

Global Warming Connection? No! According to Gray and Co.

Decadal Cycle 1995-2025 Explains Frequency of Recent Major Storms

The Cone of Uncertainty for Hurricane Charlie

Demonstration of how little Charlie veered off to hit its target

So what do we know about 2008?

We know we must Plan, Prepare and Stay Informed!!

It is not a matter of “if” it is a matter of “when” Every year we must not allow ourselves to fall

into complacency and must make sure we get ourselves ready for the possibility of a Hurricane hitting our region

We must Plan, Prepare, and Stay Informed!

Make a Plan Talk with your family Make a plan which is written for all to use Decide in advance if sheltering in place at

home or going to public shelter, special needs shelter or leaving the area for high ground

Create an evacuation plan with routes and alternative routes to take

Include you family pets in your plan Decide on emergency contacts and where

you will meet if the family is evacuated quickly

Get your house hurricane ready!

All trees branches must be cut at least 15 feet off ground to prevent wind carrying them up and on your house

Garage doors must be tightened Windows must be sealed Roofs must be secure and tied down All loose items are removed from the lawn

around house as hurricane winds approach

Be Prepared – Create a Hurricane Survivor’s Kit

You must be prepared for 7 days so your kit must have enough:

Drinking Water – 1 gallon a day per person Other Water – for other needs fill all bath tubs Non perishable food-1600 calories per day person Information – Crank or battery weather radio Communication – Cell Phone First Aid Kit for minor injuries Generator for long term electrical needs

Additional Items for Kit:

Flashlights Radio Batteries Work Gloves Multipurpose Tools Plastic Sheeting Duct Tape Whistle Light Sticks

Emergency Blankets Moist Towelettes Rain Ponchos Medications Clothing Personal Items Sanitary Items Important Papers Money Pet Supplies

Be Informed

Use the NOAA weather station Use the radio and TV weather reports Use the media guides for preparing and

responding to a hurricane Evacuate with a Hurricane Watch not a

Hurricane Warning if the Hurricane is Level 2 or higher

If you wait too long it may be too late and roads may be too clogged if you are planning on leaving town!

What is Your Hurricane Readiness Quotient (1)

1. Does your local government have an emergency or disaster plan for your community? Yes No Don’t Know

2. Do you know how to find the emergency broadcasting channel on the radio? Yes No Don’t Know

3. In the past 30 days, have you seen or heard any messages that encourage people to take steps to be prepared for emergency situations in your community? Yes No Don’t Know

What is Your Hurricane Readiness Quotient (2)

4. In the last year, have you prepared a Disaster Supply Kit with emergency supplies like water, food and medicine that is kept in a designated place in your home? Done Not Done Not Sure

5. In the last year, have you prepared a small kit with emergency supplies that you keep at home, in your car or where you work to take with you if you had to leave quickly? Done Not Done Not Sure

What is Your Hurricane Readiness Quotient (3)

6. In the last year, have you made a specific plan for how you and your family would communicate in an emergency situation if you were separated? Done Not Done Not Sure

7. In the last year, have you established a specific meeting place to reunite in the event you and your family cannot return home or are evacuated? Done Not Done Not Sure

What is Your Hurricane Readiness Quotient (4)

8. In the last year, have you practiced or drilled on what to do in an emergency at home? Done Not Done Not Sure

9. In the last year, have you volunteered to help prepare for or respond to a major emergency? Done Not Done Not Sure

10. Have you taken first aid training such as CPR in the past five years? Done Not Done Not Sure

Plan, Prepare, and Keep Informed

Watch the news and stay on top of things this Hurricane Season – Best of Luck!

Links:

Photo Album from 2008 Governor’s Hurricane Conference on www.jamesjmessina.com

Philip Klotzbach and Bill Gray April 9th Prediction: http://typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2008/april2008/apr2008.pdf

NOAA Hurricane Prediction Center: http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.shtml

Links:

The Be Red Cross Ready site with handy shopping guide for home kit: http://www.redcross.org/flash/brr/English-flash/default.asp