Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 9-30-22

Hurricane News
Hurricane Survival Guide: Things To Do During And After The Storm
Hurricane Ian Brings Fears Of Dangerous Storm Surge (Water) To Florida: What To Know
Hurricanes are some of the most devastating, and costly, nat- ural disasters known to man. Preparing your home and family before a hurricane occurs, and knowing how to react after a storm has passed, are fundamental to helping you to protect your prop- erty and keep you and your loved ones safe and secure.
What to Do During a Hurricane?
First, evacuate if you are di- rected to do so or if you feel it might be unsafe to remain in your home. If you remain in your home, follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe during the storm:
• Use a portable radio to listen to important storm updates, infor- mation and instructions.
• Stay inside and keep away from all windows, skylights and glass doors. Go to a safe area, such as an interior room, closet or downstairs bathroom.
• Never go outside the protec- tion of your home or shelter before there is confirmation that the storm has passed the area. The eye of the storm could create a tempo- rary and deceptive lull, with high winds still approaching.
• If power is lost, keep the refrig- erator closed to keep cold air trapped and delay spoilage of per- ishable food.
• If you use a portable generator, follow all the manufacturer’s in- structions. Generators should be properly grounded to prevent elec- trical shock and should never be operated indoors, in garages, base- ments or outdoors near any win- dows, doors or vents. Because generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), make sure you have a working CO detector in
your home.
What to Do After a Hurricane?
After it is confirmed by author- ities that the storm has passed and it is safe to go outdoors, you can begin to assess any potential dam- age to your home and property. Follow these tips after the storm is over:
• If you were evacuated, return home only after authorities advise itissafetodoso.
• Avoid downed power lines. Never touch anything in contact with power lines, including water or water puddles that may be near the downed power lines.
• Protect your property from further damage by boarding up broken windows to help deter van- dalism or additional weather dam- age. Arrange for reasonable temporary repairs.
• Be wary of any gas lines that may have been damaged or broken during the storm. If a gas leak is suspected, stay out of the property until the utility company deems it safe.
• Be cautious of hazards that are a product of the storm, such as water due to flooding, sharp or broken objects, damaged tree limbs or other structures that may have been damaged by high winds or water.
• Keep accurate records of your expenses and save bills and re- ceipts from your temporary re- pairs. (Avoid making permanent repairs until your Claim profes- sional has reviewed the damage.) Keep accurate records of any other expenses incurred.
• Separate and inventory any damaged personal property. Cre- ate a list of any damaged contents, including a description of the item, name of the manufacturer, brand name, age, as well as the place and date of purchase, if known. In- clude photographs, videotapes or personal property inventories you may already have available.
• If you think your home might be unsafe due to storm damage, contact your insurance company to discuss finding temporary ac- commodations.
Hurricane Ian, forecast to make landfall in Florida this week, is expected to bring a dangerous storm surge of up to 12 feet near Fort Myers and 8 feet near Tampa.
"Our biggest concern as we wait for this storm to make landfall is storm surge," FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned Tuesday. "In 2018, when Hurricane Michael impacted the Florida Panhan- dle, there were five recorded fa- talities as a result of storm surge."
Here's how storm surge works:
As pressure falls in the hurri- cane's center, water levels rise. The water accumulates while the storm is still over the open ocean.
When the hurricane closes in on land, its strong winds push that water toward the coast and up onto land, creating walls of water sometimes as high as 20 feet.
The danger to people inside houses on the coast is the del- uge of water that can flood homes and overpower walls rapidly.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, at least 1,500 people died "directly, or indirectly, as a re- sult of storm surge," the Na- tional Hurricane Center said.
When Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey in 2012, many homes filled quickly with water that reached levels of 8 to 9 feet.
The risks can be even greater if storm surge combines with high tide, creating a devastat- ing, rapid rise in water levels.
PAGE 6-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022