You can't stop a Hurricane. But you CAN prepare for it.

You can’t stop a Hurricane. But you CAN prepare for it.

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Atlantic hurricane prediction is at its highest this year 2021. Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30.

That’s why we have put together some steps that everyone should take to prepare for the hurricane season- stay tuned for a list of practical actions you can take to avoid becoming an emergency outage statistic this summer. FEMA is urging states to develop emergency management plans.

(Check for a link to your state’s preparation guide. We have provided you the essential links below.)

What are Hurricanes?

The word Hurricane comes from a Spanish word (which has roots in Mayan God Pantheon) which can be translated as “huracán” meaning “big wind”. Hurricanes are violent storms that are generated by the warming of the air over the ocean. The warm water rises, creating air that rushes down and in the process is forced to rise. As it rises, it gets hotter and hotter until it reaches the maximum temperature at around 33 degrees.

How do they form?

There are a number of factors that can lead to the formation of a hurricane. All hurricanes originate in tropical waters- which are warm enough for water vapor to rise into the air. The upper atmosphere above each tropical ocean basin gets a little warmer during the summertime, usually in July and August.

The warm air rises and converges into a central region- often in the middle of an ocean basin. The warm air rises till it reaches the tropopause, the coldest layer in the atmosphere, where it is suddenly cooled and becomes unstable. The air then collapses into a spiral vortex which then kicks off a downdraft of cool, unstable air. The process happens near the surface of the ocean and in fact several hundred miles up or more from the calm center of the hurricane.

The strong winds push water outwards, which allows for a small circulation in a circular portion within the 800 to 1200 miles wide eye (center). That circulation then concentrates the warm, humid air into a tight vortex. The tighter the spiral gets, the greater the pressure of warm air at the core of the hurricane. The eye is about thirty to 65 miles wide and 80 miles deep.

Hurricane Season Facts

  • Hurricane season generally runs from June to November. With climate change, storms could form earlier or later in the year.
  •  Tropical storms and hurricanes can have different names depending on their cause. Only hurricanes are designated by numbers: 1, 2, 3, …, and their future names as well. This is where a lot of confusion comes in because although hurricanes are named by rotating three-letter adjectives (e.g. Jose, Katia, Maria), storms are given different names by various countries.
  •  Accurately predicting the path of tropical storms and hurricanes is difficult.
  •  One in four Americans lives in a coastal county. More will live along waterways such as rivers and lakes as the world warms. With millions of people evacuating, it’s important to be prepared ahead of time with emergency food and supplies.
  • Below are some helpful tips to help you prepare for the worst- flood and hurricane preparedness.

Preparing for Power Outages, Battery Backups, and Life Safety Items

Learn how to keep your home safe during a power outage. There are some simple steps that you should take to make sure you have enough batteries on hand as well as a few items that can help in the event of an emergency.

Next, you need to prepare for any emergency power outages. This includes having a battery backup for your home alarm system, phone chargers with extra batteries, battery-operated radios and flashlights, and generators that are certified by the national electric code.

Hurricane Season Preparation

The storm is a seasonal occurrence we used to. But, being to it doesn’t mean taking thins easily. We have to get don all preps for the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Here is it in detail: –

  • The best ways to prepare are through purchasing hurricane supplies — consider food, water, batteries, flashlights — and through checking local news stations for emergency alerts. Make sure you have emergency supplies on hand that you can quickly grab to provide for loved ones.
  • After you’ve purchased supplies, make sure that you have a plan in place in case they don’t get used during the storm. If you’re traveling inland, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in place so that you can get your supplies back home if they need them.
  • Keep in mind that tropical cyclones can impact different areas at different times of the day or night. So, you may encounter one that’s already passed when you’re in the middle of a storm warning in some areas.
  • Hurricane preparedness kits offer a great way to store these supplies. You can also purchase waterproof portable containers for these kits, which can be purchased from most hardware stores and are easily transportable.
  •  As Hurricane Season approaches, many grocery stores and chain grocery stores will start raising prices for hurricane supplies as the demand increases.
  •  Keep in mind that hurricanes come with storm surges: this is how much water comes into the area during a storm’s landfall. You’ll want to take into account your distance from the coastline when preparing for this.
  •  As for flooding, don’t just focus on the storm surge, but also the flooding from rivers and streams. Because of this, it is also a good idea to make sure that you have enough supplies, including water for pets and people.
  •  When preparing your home for an emergency, make sure to clear all of your electrical cords or extension cords to keep them from tripping over them and causing a fire hazard or electrical shock. This can also make it easier to move large furniture such as beds or couches. If you have extension cords, make sure that they are protected from the water, and as short as possible.
  •  Once the storm is over and the power is out — you may have to wait 48 hours for restoration — make sure that you know what supplies you’ll need to last 15 days until electric service is restored in the area. You can check with local news stations for information on when things should be back up and running.
  •  People’s natural reaction to a hurricane is to go and find bread or water. This won’t always be the best thing to do. If you live in an area that has flooding, going out and scavenging for food could put you in a dangerous situation because areas may not be safe yet also not being able to leave the area yet.
  •  If you’re in a flood zone, the best thing that you can do is make sure that your food and water are protected from the water. The National Flood Insurance Program will provide property owners with coverage for flooding damage caused by storms.
  •  If your area needs to be evacuated and you have pets, they should be kenneled if possible. If you have to evacuate, it’s best to take them with you.
  •  As for clothing and shoes: always wear closed-toe shoes that can be used to walk through the water, especially if you don’t know how deep it will be. It’s important to make sure your feet are protected from the water because this will increase the chances of getting a cut or breaking a leg. Be sure to also pack rain jackets, long pants, and shoes, gloves, and hats.
  •  When preparing, you may need to be creative in order to prepare for an emergency situation. You can store your large furniture in as many different locations as possible so that if it’s your home or business that’s damaged, you have other places you can stay.
  •  As for fuel: make sure that you have plenty of it. If you’re in an area where gas and electricity are cut off, you still need to be able to move your car or van so that you can get out of the area quickly.
  •  As stated, try to have the best generator be with you in these situations of an outage.
  •  Be aware of what time the hurricane is coming. Many people decide to leave hours or even days in advance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being prepared for a hurricane and its potential storm surges, flooding, or evacuations and power outages is important. Storing food and water in a safe area can save you time and also a lot of money if repair costs are high. By being aware of your surroundings, the emergency alerts that local news stations send out are very helpful in making sure you’re ready for the shocking effects of tropical storms.

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