Title:Hurricanes -- Emergency Preparedness: Author: Mary N. Harrison. FL Date: 1992 Hurricanes -- Emergency Preparedness: Introduction Mary N. Harrison HURRICANES Hurricanes are tropical storms with winds that reach more than 74 miles per hour. Hurricanes blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center -- the eye. They begin as small tropical cyclones which, in the Northern Hemisphere, move slowly in a west-northwesterly direction. The hurricanes that strike the Eastern United States originate in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The initial forward speed of a hurricane is slow -- usually 15 miles per hour or less. As the hurricane moves northward, its forward speed increases. The hurricane area can be as large as 500 miles in diameter, but major damage usually occurs along the coast in an area that is 30 to 100 miles wide. Inland areas, however, may experience damage from flooding caused by torrential rains or from high winds and tornadoes spawned by the hurricane. Hurricanes are not freak accidents of nature intended to wreak death and destruction on mankind. They are actually nature's way of losing heat. Simply stated, hurricanes are giant whirlwinds in which air is moving in a large, tightening spiral around a center or "eye" of extremely low atmospheric pressure. But the storm itself is anything but simple. Those whirlwinds reach velocities from 75 to 125 miles per hour and have at times been recorded at speeds of 150 to over 200 miles per hour. The storm surge, the most dangerous part of the hurricane, is a dome of water that moves across the coast as the hurricane hits land. Tides are 5 to 25 feet above normal and are accompanied by large wind-driven waves. Nine out of ten hurricane-related deaths occur in the surge. The higher than normal tides may cause flooding over a 50 to 100 mile wide path along the coast. Torrential rains accompanying the hurricane often result in flash floods as the storm moves inland. Some hurricanes cause tornadoes which are responsible for additional destruction. Once cut off from the heat energy released by the ocean, the hurricane begins to die out. The six-month period from June 1 to November 30 is considered hurricane season for the Atlantic region, with most hurricanes occurring in August, September and October. On average, six Atlantic hurricanes occur per year; however, there are significant deviations from this average. In 1950, there were 11 hurricanes yet no hurricanes were observed in 1914. While the past two decades have shown an historic lull in hurricane activity, a Colorado State University study indicates that the 1990s may see a return to the storm activities of the 1940s and 50s, when hurricanes regularly struck Florida and the Eastern United States. The violent winds associated with hurricanes are often considered to be the most threatening to property and lives. Many injuries occur when people are struck by debris which is carried along by the hurricane and is then suddenly dropped. While winds do cause much structural damage, drowning is the most common cause of hurricane-associated deaths. Hurricanes threaten the lives of many in coastal regions but appropriate planning makes it possible to survive with minimal consequences. Before * Check your insurance policies. Do you have flood insurance? * Before the beginning of the hurricane season, plan a flood- free evacuation route inland. * Know the locations of official shelters. * Learn First Aid and CPR from the local Red Cross chapter or community organization. * Always keep on hand a fire extinguisher, battery-operated radio and flashlight. * Trim back dead limbs on trees. * Check for loose eaves, troughs and down spouts or any ornamentation which may come loose in high winds. * If shutters do not protect windows, stock boards to cover glass. * Know the following terms: "Hurricane Watch" means a "possible' hurricane within the next 24 hours. "Hurricane Warning" means a hurricane is expected to strike a specific coastal area within 24 hours or less. When a Hurricane Watch is Issued * Check often for official reports on radio or TV. * Get some cash money. If the hurricane strikes, banks may be closed for several days. Cash will be needed to buy any available supplies. * Fuel your car, as service stations are likely to be inoperable during the storm. * Stock up on canned and other non-perishable foods. * Check supplies of special medicines and drugs. * Board up windows or protect with storm shutters or duct tape to keep them from shattering. * Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent them from lifting off their tracks. When a Hurricane Warning is Issued * Stay tuned to the radio or TV for official bulletins on the progress of the storm. * Stay home if your house is sturdy and on high ground. * Fill bottles, pots and clean bathtubs with drinking water. * Plan to store 1 gallon per person per day. Keep enough for several days. * Stay indoors and on the downwind side of the house and away from windows unless you have been ordered to evacuate. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. After Once the All-clear is given by local officials: * Report any broken or damaged water, sewer and electrical lines. * Check for injuries. If people are injured notify medical emergency units. Do not try to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger. * Do not use phone lines unless reporting an emergency. * Do not sightsee. Your presence may not only endanger your personal well-being but may also impede emergency relief efforts. * Try to prevent fires. Do not use candles because of danger of fire. Lowered water pressure may make firefighting difficult. * Respond to requests for emergency assistance from firefighters, police and relief workers. Community participation is an important component of effective disaster relief. FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS Floods are a natural occurrence along the rivers of the American water system. Floods begin when soil and vegetation in a particular area cannot absorb rain or when water runs off the land so quickly that it cannot be diverted by the natural channels or when ponds and lakes cannot contain excess water. Some floods occur during the rainy season, or when heavy rains caused by severe weather storms fill river basins with more water than they can accommodate. Other floods, called "flash floods" because of their sudden and unpredictable occurrence, are caused by heavy localized rainfall. All parts of the U.S. are threatened by floods, although they occur most frequently in low-lying or ocean front areas. Each year, approximately 300,000 Americans are driven from their homes by floods. In 1988 and 1989, floods and flash floods caused 127 deaths and approximately $760 million in damage in the United States. Drowning is the most common cause of flood- related deaths. Flood Safety Precautions BEFORE * Know the following terms: Flood Watch: flooding is possible within a certain area. Flood Warning: a flood is imminent or one has already been reported. * Learn to recognize environmental clues such as heavy rains, topography, and flood history of the region. * Know your elevation above flood stage and the history regarding flooding of your location. * Learn First Aid and CPR at the local Red Cross chapter or community organization. * Keep on hand a battery-operated flashlight and radio. * Learn evacuation routes. * Keep vehicle fueled since power failure may render service stations inoperable. DURING * Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. * Do not attempt to cross a stream where water is above your knees. When in doubt don't try it. * Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. The water can be much deeper than it appears and you could be stranded or trapped. * Do not try drive around police barricades. * Stay away from drains and ditches. AFTER * Do not eat fresh food that has come in contact with flood waters. * Boil drinking water before using. * Report broken gas, electrical and water lines to the appropriate utility company. * Do not handle electrical equipment in wet areas. * Stay off the phone except to report emergencies. * Do not sightsee. Your presence could impede relief efforts as well as endanger yourself. * Cooperate with local officials. Respond to requests for assistance efforts from police, firefighters, and relief workers. Community participation is an important element of effective disaster relief. Adapted from: World Health Day, American Association for World Health, Washington, DC