By Tom Baugher
As you know, hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. I therefore wanted to take this time to talk about safety during hurricane season. Before we get into hurricane-related specifics though, I think it is important to review a foundational principle that I integrate into all of my in-person classes. This principle is, no matter the threat, you will increase your chance for a favorable outcome if you:
- Remain situationally aware;
- Have a plan;
- Commit to action.
This template can be applied to an active assailant, fire, criminal act, medical emergency, traffic accident, etc. just as easily as to a hurricane.
For example, during hurricane season, remain situationally aware to what storms are developing and when we are in the infamous “cone of uncertainty.” Unlike tornados and earthquakes, we fortunately have much more advanced notice of an impending hurricane.
In addition to watching the media, register for emergency alerts.
- Manatee county residents you can register here.
- Sarasota county residents can register here.
Next, know your evacuation zone.
- Manatee county evacuation zones are listed here.
- Sarasota county evacuation zones are listed here.
Second, have a plan. You should formulate your plan now while you have the time, are under less stress, and while supplies are abundant. You should have a “Go Kit” ready in case you need to evacuate. This kit should contain, at least, drinking water (one gallon per person, per day, for at least three days), canned food and a can opener (or military-style Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), needed prescription medicine, toilet paper, hygiene items such as a toothbrush and hand sanitizer, sleeping gear, and pet supplies, if applicable. A good place to have these items is in the trunk of your car and in a cooler that has wheels, so you can grab and go if needed. Next, you should think about to where you would evacuate. If you are fortunate enough to be able to leave town, how will you do so? Will you drive to a hotel on the other side of Florida or a different state? Will you fly to relatives or another house out of state? If you cannot leave the area and are ordered to evacuate (or do so out of caution), you should be aware now of the location of the closest public hurricane shelter. Going to a shelter should always be the last resort, if you can leave town, do so.
If you are going to stay at home, you should fill your bathtub and other large containers with water, have a full tank of gasoline in your car, have extra batteries, flashlights, and all the supplies you would have in a Go Kit. If you do have a portable generator, only use them outdoors and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, you may want to purchase a smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector combo.
Remember, if you do decide to shelter in place, emergency services are generally not dispatched when sustained winds reach over 45 mph. That means if you have any type of medical emergency, you may very well be on your own. For this reason, I would be sure to have medicine and medical supplies such as a tourniquet and gauze that I instruct on in my “STB” class.
Finally, if a hurricane has our area in its sights, commit to action. Whatever your plan was from step #2, proceed with it. Do not sleep on a threat. It can be natural for people under stress to talk themselves out of self-preservation skills and just hope for the best. Do not do this. In the face of the type of wide-spread destruction a hurricane can bring, it is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t forget, even if the hurricane spares your house, power and public services could be disrupted for days and weeks after the event.
Please prepare now in case we are threatened with another hurricane or tropical storm. Just as Noah did not wait for it to rain to start building the Ark, you should not wait for an approaching hurricane to start your preparations.