Hurricane Prep 101: Tips for the Whole Family
As a Florida native, I understand the importance of respecting hurricanes and the massive impact that they can have. I still remember Hurricanes Katrina, Michael, and Charley and the devastating aftermath many communities faced. As a child during hurricane Charley, I remember our whole house losing power for a few days and our backyard and streets outside flooding. I even lost my turtle during that storm because our koi pond overflowed. Despite the craziness, I knew I was safe because my parents always had a plan.
The beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season has arrived. It runs from June until the end of November every year.
As Floridians, hurricanes are nothing new to us, but it is still always important to be prepared for the season. If you have never experienced a hurricane before, then remember it is essential to plan ahead.
Hurricanes can be one of mother nature’s most destructive forces.
They are storms of high-speed winds and rain that move in a large spiral. The faster the wind, the more dangerous they are. When they reach land, hurricanes are destructive because they cause fast winds, lots of rain (which causes floods), and sometimes even tornados. Thankfully, the weather reports help us know when these storms are coming our way. According to the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, a hurricane warning is issued 48 hours before when a hurricane forming is possible. In contrast, a hurricane watch is issued 36 hours before a hurricane is expected. However, you can prepare for a hurricane far in advance of any storm.
At the start of hurricane season
It’s best to make a plan that involves the whole family. To prepare for the hazards of a hurricane, you should do these four things at the start of hurricane season well before a storm:
Know how your home might be at risk for damage from winds and flooding and prepare to strengthen it.
- For example, install hurricane-proof window covers or be ready to put up shutters or boards to cover any exposed windows and sliding glass doors.
- Find out if you live in an evacuation zone. If you do, plan ahead for where you would go in case of a storm. Know if you are in an evacuation zone and have an evacuation route planned.
Prepare your disaster kit with enough supplies to last at least a week. Kids can even help you put some of the hurricane supplies together. This can be a great way to teach them the importance of each part of the disaster supply kit. This should include:
- At least a gallon of drinking water per person, per day
- Nonperishable foods (canned/pantry food, peanut butter, bread, granola bars)
- Walkie talkies or solar-powered battery, charger, and smartphone
- First aid and any medications needed for specific family members
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Matches and candles
- One month supply of medications (stored safely away from other supplies and the reach of children)
- Supplies for your baby, such as diapers, formula, etc.
- Toys and calming items for your children
A more in-depth disaster supply kit can be found at healthychildren.org.
Write and review your Family Emergency Plan with your close friends and family before the storm hits. A good family emergency plan includes how to contact each other, where to go, what to do in an emergency.
This step is especially crucial for kids so they can learn important skills such as when to call 911 and also plan in the event that you get separated during a disaster.
For more information on creating an emergency plan, visit ready.gov.
Before the Storm:
Keep track of the storm from reliable sources like the FEMA app or your local television or radio station
- Fill up your car’s gas tank
- Remove loose objects, tree branches, and debris
- Board up any windows and sliding glass doors
- Check and replenish your disaster supply kit
- Store valuables and essential documents in a disaster-proof safe or outside your home in a secure location
- Evacuate if you are told to do so (Text SHELTER and a zip code to 43362 to find an open shelter near you)
- Have some cards and games or books ready. It’s important to have fun and have activities planned for your kids to do while sheltering at home.
During the Storm:
- Continue to monitor the hurricane progress (have a battery-powered radio/tv handy)
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and remember only to open it when necessary, in case you lose power
- Close and brace all house doors and remain inside
- Be prepared for the possibility of losing electricity and running water
- Talk with children about any fears or feelings they are experiencing
After the Storm:
- Listen for updates through the local or federal news/radio for updates and instructions
- Avoid floodwaters. They can have dangerous debris and bacteria
- Check with your family on how everyone is feeling
- Once the storm has passed, begin cleanup and repairs
To learn about more pediatrician-approved ways to keep your family safe during this hurricane season, visit healthychildren.org or ready.gov or contact the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami, a program supported by The Children’s Trust, at 305-243-9080.
Hurricane 101: Vidokezo kwa Familia nzima - Kama mzaliwa wa Florida, ninaelewa umuhimu wa kuheshimu vimbunga na athari kubwa ambazo zinaweza kuwa nazo. Bado ninakumbuka Kimbunga Katrina, Michael, na Charley na matokeo mabaya ambayo jamii nyingi zilikabili. Wakati wa Kimbunga Charley, nyumba yetu ilikosa umeme kwa siku chache na bustani yetu ya nyuma na barabara nje zilijaa maji. Hata nilipoteza kasa wangu wakati wa dhoruba hiyo kwa sababu dimbwi letu la koi lilijaa maji. Licha ya wazimu, nilijua kwamba nilikuwa salama kwa sababu wazazi wangu sikuzote walikuwa na mpango. Mwanzo wa msimu wa vimbunga vya Atlantiki umefika. Inaanza Juni hadi mwisho wa Novemba kila mwaka. Kwa sababu ya hali ya hewa ya Florida, vimbunga ni jambo la kawaida, lakini ni muhimu kuwa tayari kwa ajili ya msimu huu. Ikiwa hujawahi kupatwa na kimbunga hapo awali, basi kumbuka ni muhimu kupanga kimbunga hicho mapema. Dhoruba zaweza kuwa mojawapo ya nguvu zenye uharibifu zaidi za asili. Ni dhoruba za upepo wenye mwendo wa kasi na mvua ambazo husonga kwa mviringo mkubwa. Kadiri upepo ulivyo mkali, ndivyo walivyo hatari zaidi. Mvua ya mvua yaweza kusababisha mafuriko, kwa sababu mvua nyingi (ambayo husababisha mafuriko) na nyakati nyingine hata vimbunga. Kwa shukrani, ripoti za hali ya hewa hutusaidia kujua wakati dhoruba hizo zinapokuja. Kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Kitaifa la Usimamizi wa Bahari na Anga, onyo la kimbunga hutolewa saa 48 kabla ya kimbunga kuweza kuundwa. Kwa upande mwingine, tahadhari ya kimbunga hutolewa saa 36 kabla ya kimbunga kutarajiwa. Hata hivyo, unaweza kujitayarisha kwa ajili ya kimbunga kabla ya kimbunga chochote kutokea. Mwanzoni mwa msimu wa vimbunga Ni afadhali kufanya mpango ambao unahusisha familia nzima. Ili kujitayarisha kwa hatari za kimbunga, unapaswa kufanya mambo haya manne mwanzoni mwa msimu wa kimbunga kabla ya dhoruba: Jua jinsi nyumba yako inaweza kuwa katika hatari ya uharibifu kutoka kwa upepo na mafuriko na utayarishe kuimarisha. - Kwa mfano, weka vifuniko vya madirisha visivyoweza kuharibiwa na vimbunga au uwe tayari kuweka vifuniko au mbao ili kufunika madirisha yoyote yaliyo wazi na milango ya kioo inayoweza kuingizwa. - Tafuta kama unaishi katika eneo la kuhamishwa. Ikiwa ndivyo, jipange kimbele mahali utakaokwenda ikiwa kuna dhoruba. Jua kama uko katika eneo la uhamisho na uwe na njia ya uhamisho iliyopangwa. Fanya maandalizi ya dharura na vifaa vya kutosha kwa angalau juma moja. Watoto wanaweza hata kukusaidia kuweka baadhi ya vifaa vya kimbunga pamoja. Hii inaweza kuwa njia nzuri ya kuwafundisha umuhimu wa kila sehemu ya kitanda cha vifaa vya dharura. • Chukua angalau lita moja ya maji ya kunywa kwa mtu mmoja kwa siku, vyakula visivyoweza kuharibika (chakula cha makopo, siagi ya karanga, mkate, bar ya granola), walkie-talkies au betri ya nishati ya jua, chaja, na simu ya rununu, msaada wa kwanza na dawa zozote zinazohitajika kwa wanachama maalum wa familia, redio ya betri, taa za umeme na vifaa vya ziada, mechi na mishumaa, vifaa vya mwezi mmoja vya dawa (kuhifadhiwa salama mbali na betri nyingine na kufikia watoto). - Vichezeo na vitu vya kutuliza kwa ajili ya watoto wako Kifaa cha vifaa vya dharura kina zaidi kinaweza kupatikana kwenye healthychildren.org. Fanya mpango wa dharura wa familia na marafiki na familia yako kabla ya dhoruba. Mpango mzuri wa dharura wa familia ni pamoja na jinsi ya kuwasiliana, wapi kwenda, na nini cha kufanya katika hali ya dharura. Hatua hii ni muhimu hasa kwa watoto ili waweze kujifunza ujuzi muhimu kama vile wakati wa kupiga simu 911 na pia kupanga katika tukio ambalo utahama wakati wa msiba. Kwa maelezo zaidi juu ya jinsi ya kuunda mpango wa dharura, tembelea www.prepared.gov. "Kabla ya dhoruba: Weka mfuatano wa dhoruba kutoka vyanzo vya kuaminika kama vile programu ya FEMA au kituo chako cha televisheni au redio cha eneo lako - Jaza tangi la gesi ya gari lako - Ondoa vitu vilivyo huru, matawi ya miti, na mabaki - Weka madirisha yoyote na milango ya kioo ya slide - Angalia na kujaza kitako cha vifaa vya msiba - Weka vitu vya thamani na nyaraka muhimu katika salama ya msiba au nje ya nyumba yako katika mahali salama - Ondoka ikiwa umeambiwa kufanya hivyo. """ Ni muhimu kuwa na furaha na kuwa na shughuli zilizopangwa kwa watoto wako kufanya wakati wa kukimbilia nyumbani. Wakati wa dhoruba: Endelea kufuatilia maendeleo ya kimbunga (kuwa na redio au TV inayoendeshwa na betri) - Weka friji na friji kwenye hali ya baridi zaidi na kumbuka kuifungua tu inapohitajika, ikiwa utapoteza umeme - Funga na kufunga milango yote ya nyumba na kubaki ndani - Jitayarishe kwa uwezekano wa kupoteza umeme na maji ya mtiririko - Zungumza na watoto juu ya hofu au hisia wanazoona baada ya dhoruba. "Kama kuna uwezekano wa kuwa na ""mvua ya mawe"" au ""mvua ya mawe"" katika eneo la Miami, tafadhali wasiliana na Shirika la Watoto la Miami, ambalo linasaidia na The Children's Trust, kwa simu 305-243-9080. """