Hurricane Irma takes aim at Florida, southeast US; tips from Army, NOAA to help families prepare

By Max MaxfieldSeptember 6, 2017

Hurricane Irma predicted track
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Preparing for Irma
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Elert Nicholes, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist, assigned to 48th Chemical Brigade, unloads bags with toiletries at West Side Development Center in Port Arthur, Texas, Sept. 3, 2017. Bags are delivered for d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON -- According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center Hurricane Irma is set to hit Florida early Sunday morning, with wind speeds of 130mph.

Military communities in the southeast should assess how vulnerable they are and review their emergency plans.

The (currently) category 5 hurricane is currently over the Caribbean and has maximum sustained winds of 185mph. It has been named the most powerful ever recorded over the Atlantic Ocean.

Resources are available to help families prepare for worst-case scenarios. Ready Army, Ready America, and NOAA all provide information on their websites that can help military families make emergency plans, protect their property from damage, and build "bug-out bags" in case mother nature takes aim at their homes.

Families should plan for emergencies and stock their own emergency supplies in preparation for a sustained loss of support from outside agencies. Families cannot count on immediate support from local authorities if a hurricane cripples an entire area. Hurricane Katrina showed how one storm can overwhelm the support systems that families can usually rely on for assistance.

Hurricane Katrina, which came ashore Aug. 28, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane, was the most destructive storm in terms of economic losses, according to the NOAA. Its 125 mph winds and storm surge overwhelmed the city of New Orleans and much of the surrounding area. It cost an estimated $125 billion in damage.

HAVE A PLAN

Families should have an emergency plan. All family members should know what to do in case of an emergency. Ready Army suggests families discuss issues such as where children will go if they are in school at the time of an emergency. While phone lines and cell phones may not work, text messaging sometimes works even if cell phone lines are overwhelmed with calls.

All members of a family should have an emergency point of contact in case they cannot reach each other. A trusted relative living outside of the area that is expected to be affected by the storm would be a good candidate. A local point of contact should also be established. These names and phone numbers should be programmed into all family member cell phones, and written copies should be with all family members as well.

An emergency plan should also detail how a family will evacuate family members with special needs, as well as pets.

EVALUATE THE RISK -- WATCH VERSUS WARNING

According to the NOAA, a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions -- sustained winds of 74 mph or higher -- are possible within a certain area. A hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of when the NOAA expects the onset of tropical-storm-force winds -- sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.

The watch is issued well in advance of the storm so that families have time to prepare properly. Once the tropical-storm-force winds arrive, making final preparations could be difficult. Families should prepare in advance.

A hurricane warning also means hurricane conditions are expected within an area. However, it is issued 36 hours before the expected onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

HOW BAD IS BAD?

Families living in coastal areas may be vulnerable to storm surges, or storm tides. Ready Army defines a storm surge as a dome of water pushed ashore by winds during tropical storms and hurricanes. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50 to 1,000 miles wide. They define a storm tide as a combination of storm surge with normal tide, increasing the amount of water. For example, a 15-foot storm surge with a two-foot normal tide creates a 17-foot storm tide.

It is useful to know just how strong a hurricane will be when it reaches an area. Hurricanes are rated by category from Category 1 thru Category 5. As of this reporting, Hermine is listed as a Category 1 hurricane.

-- Category 1 - Winds 74-95 mph, storm surge 4-5 feet, minimal damage to plants and signs.

-- Category 2 - Winds 96-110 mph, storm surge 6-8 feet, some flooding, minimal damage to mobile homes, roofs, and small crafts.

-- Category 3 - Winds 111-130 mph, storm surge 9-12 feet, extensive damage to small buildings and low-lying roofs.

-- Category 4 - Winds 131-155 mph, storm surge 13-18 feet, extreme damage with destroyed roofs and mobile homes, downed trees, cut off roads and flooded homes.

-- Category 5 - Winds exceeding 155 mph, storm surge over 18 feet, catastrophic damage.

KNOW YOUR VULNERABILITIES

Families should find out if they live within an evacuation area. Because hurricanes can travel inland for hundreds of miles before losing their energy, people living inland in the path of an approaching storm can still be at risk.

Families should know whether their homes or properties is vulnerable to a storm surge (usually coastal areas), flooding from either rain or swollen rivers nearby, or wind. The most well-stocked disaster supply kit cannot help a family if it was stored in a basement that flooded.

PROTECT YOUR HOME

Families can take steps to minimize the damage caused to their home and protect themselves financially, should the storm damage their property. Families in coastal areas should consider flood insurance. According to Ready America, flood insurance is the only way for people to financially protect themselves should their homes or businesses be damaged by a flood.

Families can also take precautions to protect their homes from an impending hurricane and ensure decent quality of life in the aftermath of a storm. They should:

-- Cover all of their home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.

-- Bring inside all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

-- Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.

-- Secure their home by closing shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them inside.

-- Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.

-- Turn off propane tanks.

-- Install a generator for emergencies

-- Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.

-- Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

-- Learn how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov.

BUILD A "BUG-OUT BAG"

When the order comes to evacuate, families should evacuate. It is possible that a family not in an area under evacuation order may still have to leave their home if the home sustains extensive damage. In these situations, prepared families can grab their "bug-out bags" and make it to safe areas for more quickly than people who are less well prepared. This little bit of preparation can pay off in the quality of live a family has in the days following a disaster.

Various emergency and readiness resources suggest the following items be packed and ready to go BEFORE a storm hits:

Home emergency kit

-- Water - at least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.

-- Food - nonperishable food for at least three days (select items that require no preparation, refrigeration or cooking such as high energy foods and ready-to-eat, canned meat, vegetables, fruit).

-- Manual can opener (if the food is canned), preferably on a multi-tool.

-- Reusable plates, cups, utensils, saucepan (note, a metal bowl can double as a cup or plate).

-- First aid kit.

-- Prescription medications and medical.

-- Personal sanitation supplies, such as moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties.

-- Hand-crank or battery operated flashlight.

-- Hand-crank radio or battery operated cell phone charger.

-- All-hazards NOAA weather radio.

-- Extra batteries at the size required.

-- Cord to charge cell phone from AC outlet in vehicle.

-- Brightly colored plastic poncho (can be used as shelter, clothing or a marker).

-- Weather appropriate clothing to keep your family warm and dry.

-- Cash in case Point of Sale devices and Automatic-Teller Machines are offline.

-- Any tools needed for turning off utilities.

-- Local maps and your family emergency plan.

-- Command reporting information -- know the Army Disaster Personnel Accountability and

Assessment System (ADPAAS).

-- Important documents, including will, medical and financial power of attorney, property documents, medical instructions.

-- An emergency preparedness handbook.

Additional considerations

-- Infant formula and diapers if you have young children.

-- Pets supplies, including food, water, medication, leash, travel case and documents.

-- Disinfectant.

-- Matches or flint in a waterproof container.

-- Sleeping bag or other weather-appropriate bedding for each person.

-- Coats, jackets and rain gear.

-- Fire extinguisher.

-- Paper and pencil.

-- Books, games, puzzles, toys and other activities for children.

-- Any items necessary for a specific type of disaster.

Portable emergency kit -- take this kit with you when you are ordered to evacuate.

-- Place items in a designated area that will be easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

-- Make sure every member of your family knows where the kit is.

-- If you are required to shelter in place, keep this kit with you

-- Consider adding enough supplies to last two weeks

Workplace Emergency Kit -- this kit should be in one container to be kept at your work station in case you must evacuate from work.

-- Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes at your work place in case you have to walk long distances.

-- This kit should include at least food, water and a first aid kit.

-- Make sure you include your family's communications procedure.

Vehicle Emergency Kit

-- In the event that you are stranded while driving, keep this kit in your vehicle at all times.

-- This kit should contain at a minimum food, water, a first aid kit, signal flares, jumper cables and

seasonal clothing (coats, rain gear).

-- Make sure you include your family's communications procedure.

Families cannot stop mother nature from taking a swipe at where they live or work. However, by having a plan, knowing the risks, taking precautions, and preparing for the worse-case scenario, families can reduce the risk of getting hurt from a hurricane, having their homes damaged, or having their quality of life drastically affected should a hurricane come through their area.

Prepared families can weather a storm well, even if local, state, or federal agencies can't help them immediately after a hurricane hits.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Ready Army at www.ready.army.mil

The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org

The Department of Homeland Security (Ready.gov) at www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html

The Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/index.shtm

Related Links:

ArmyLIVE Blog: Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.

Ready Army: Hurricane Fact sheet (PDF download)

Ready Army Booklet (PDF download)

STAND-TO!: National Preparedness Month and Ready Army

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Center

American Red Cross

National Guard personnel preparing for Hurricane Irma as relief efforts continue in Texas