CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
June 1 will kick off what can be a very intense and unpredictable six-month-long hurricane season.
Members of Team Charleston should educate themselves on what items they will need and what resources are available to prepare themselves, their family members and their pets.
It's important to know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. A watch means hurricane conditions are a real possibility. If a hurricane threatens a coastal region, a watch is added to the weather advisory covering a specified area and duration. A hurricane warning is issued where winds of 74 miles per hour are expected or exceptionally large amounts of water or high waves are expected. When hurricane conditions are likely to occur within 24 hours, a hurricane warning is added to the weather advisory.
Putting together an emergency supply kit as well as a "go bag" in the event of an evacuation is a must. All household members should know where the kits are located and what the family evacuation plan is. Some items to include are copies of prescription medication, required medical supplies, bottled water, a battery-operated radio, a first-aid kit, maps of evacuation routes, clothing and bedding. Also, have copies of important documents such as social security cards, proof of residency and insurance policies.
The U.S. operates off a 5-tier system for categorizing the severity of a storm and its potential storm surge. Use this chart for reference.
Category one hurricane: Will have winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour. This hurricane will cause minimal damage, including damaging unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. The storm sure will be between four to five feet.
Category two hurricane: Will have winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour. This hurricane will cause moderate damage, including damaging all mobile homes, roofs, small crafts and cause flooding. The storm surge will be between six to eight feet.
Category three hurricane: Will have winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour. This hurricane will cause extensive damage, including damaging small buildings and cutting off low-lying roads. The storm surge will be between nine to 12 feet.
Category four hurricane: Will have winds between 131 and 155 miles per hour. This hurricane will cause extreme damage, including destroying roofs, taking down trees, cutting roads off, destroying mobile homes and flooding beach homes. The storm surge from this hurricane will be between 13 to 18 feet.
Category five hurricane: Will have winds more than 155 miles per hour. This hurricane will cause catastrophic damage, including destroying most buildings, destroying vegetation, cutting off major roads and flooding homes. The storm surge from this hurricane will be more than 18 feet.
In addition to the hurricane scale, the National Hurricane Center in Miami works with Charleston AFB using a slightly different notification system called or Hurricane Conditions.
Hurricane Condition 4 - Winds of 58 mph or more are expected within 72 hours
Hurricane Condition 3 - Winds of 58 mph or more are expected within 48 hours
Hurricane Condition 2 - Winds of 58 mph or more are expected within 24 hours
Hurricane Condition 1 - Winds of 58 mph or more are expected within 12 hours
Hurricane Condition Black - Severe winds have passed. All personnel remain in shelter until mission essential personnel perform initial damage assessment.
All Clear - Destructive winds have ceased. Begin recovery operations and listen to the radio or television for information regarding resumption of work schedule and recall personnel as approved by the wing commander.
The readiness and emergency management flight has Natural Disaster Handbooks and they are available for distribution. They can also be found on the Air Force Portal on the Charleston AFB Readiness and Emergency Management Community of Practice.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a Web site dedicated to providing disaster information to the public. Visit www.ready.gov for a full list of emergency supplies, how to make a disaster plan and to stay informed.