Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th. While each year experts make very educated predictions concerning the number and severity of storms for each given season, hurricanes can still wreak a massive amount of devastation and chaos on any area despite today’s advanced warning systems.
I have been in Cabo since 1994 and the last hurricane of any significance was in 2001 when Hurricane Juliette slammed us. Because of the way Cabo is situated with the Pacific on one side, most of the hurricanes veer west over the Pacific towards Hawaii and dissipate.
Hurricanes are a force no one can fully guard against. As mere obstacles in the path of these intense storms, we and our homes and belongings are at its mercy; yet there are steps we can take to prepare ourselves and increase the likelihood that we and our loved ones will weather the storm safely. The most important thing any family can do is to be prepared before a storm is set to arrive. It is never too early to have a full and properly equipped emergency kit.
The two most obvious items to have in your kit are food and water for 3 to 7 days. One gallon per person per day is the basic guideline recommended by experts. The emergency food supply should be non-perishable items along with a manual can opener. The kit should also contain any special food that family members may need, such as baby food or food that allows for any allergies.
Since there is never any way to determine how long an emergency kit will have to last, other items besides food and water must be included.
- Fully stocked first aid kit with any special medicines/prescriptions.
- Flashlights: batteries and a battery operated radio. Probably the most intelligent thing I ever did was to purchase some battery operated camping lamps..no particular reason, when I was in California. I think it was Target or Kmart and they were cute. Believe me reading or doing anything by candlelight for more than 10 minutes gets old very fast.
- Pet supplies: And water for Fido also.
- Important paperwork: house papers, medical records, insurance policies. Keep in plastic baggies. Very Important: Your passport and FM3 orFM2 if you have them.
- Tools: hammer, screwdrivers and good old duct tape.
- Cash: remember, if electricity is lost, you will not be able to get money from ATM machines.
- Gas: Vehicles should have full gas tanks. Do this early before the lines get too long. Do not wait until the day the hurricane is due to “touch down”. You will be waiting in line forever. You’ll have plenty of warning about approaching hurricanes..fill up early!
- Cell phones should be fully charged.
- Ina’s Hint: If you own a home here and are not going to be around during hurricane season consider this: Before leaving town, go to a lumber store and get some 2×4’s. Cut them into squares and put one square underneath each leg of your sofa, chairs and anything else you might want to get off the floor. Somehow water tends to get in under doors and through closed windows. If you are not sure if your roof leaks then definitely put a sheet of plastic over your furniture.
- Another Hint: Do your best to secure your home and belongings. Use plywood or hurricane shutters on windows, secure boats and outdoor furniture. Lock up everything you possibly can. If you have a pool, throw the patio furniture (NO not the cushions) in the pool…much easier than hauling them into the house or garage.
- Think ahead and take videos or photos of your property before you leave. This will help later on with any insurance checklist claims for damage. Click here for Insurance Checklist
- Food and Water: I know I’ve said this before but that should let you know
how important this is. On a bright note, get together with your nieghbors and start eating out of your freezers. You will most likely eat
like kings trying to consume steaks, shrimp, casseroles etc. before they thaw out. Someone should have a gas bar b que. I don’t camp and I had a camping stove.
Once you have made all the proper preparedness plans that you can possibly make ahead of time, stay informed. When a hurricane is on the way, stay tuned to your local authorities. Listen to multiple sources, such as radio, television and internet warnings. If the local authorities are telling your area to evacuate, follow their directions. If you can stay in your home, stay in a small interior room. Close all of the other doors and keep shades and curtains closed to minimize any glass dangers. Stay as low as possible.
While it is impossible to guarantee you and your home are 100% safe and sound during a hurricane, taking the time to follow these simple tips can decrease damage, loss, and certainly the headaches that the storm is sure to leave behind.
Things to Remember After a Hurricane Passes
1. Stay out of damaged buildings or homes until they are properly inspected for safety
2. Never attempt to cross flood waters.
3. Stay away from stray or loose animals
4. Stay away from mosquito infested areas, like standing water. These are prime conditions for disease.
5. Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning dangers from generators, camp stoves, etc..
6. Boil water or drink bottled water. Never drink water that smells bad or has an unusual color.
Hurricanes do have an upside… you get to know your neighbors an little better and most people are a lot nicer during these type of situations. Turn it into a party. There will always be reruns of NCIS.
