CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
With hurricane season upon us again, it's time to dust off that family disaster plan, or in many cases, create one.
Keeping your family safe during a hurricane starts with proper planning. Living along the Charleston coastline makes hurricane preparation a must for many servicemembers and their families.
Hurricane season officially starts today and extends through November with the highest probability of a major hurricane occurring between mid-August and October. In an average year, 10 tropical storms develop in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, six of which become hurricanes.
One major cause of hurricane damage is storm surge. This surge is a large dome of water that can be as wide as 100 miles along the coastline. The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the water along the coast, the higher the surge will be. That coupled with high tide and heavy winds, the storm surge is deadly. Winds greater than 74 mph will destroy buildings and mobile homes and send debris through the air like missiles.
The Charleston area and barrier islands are especially vulnerable. Road expansion has not kept up with the rapid population increase in Charleston and surrounding areas. Because of this, evacuation routes out of the area may come to a crawl during an evacuation.
Most of the tasks you need to get accomplished are basically the same for units and individuals. Those units that have specific tasks outlined in plans should already have checklist to ensure that these things occur. The following should be reviewed by all units, individuals and their families.
Every hurricane plan should cover the following:
· Know the risks in your area. Do you live in a flood zone?
· Learn the safe evacuation routes and where shelters are located. Contact your unit emergency management representative for updated information or tune into Charleston AFB Channel 2 or local news stations.
· Develop a family disaster plan. Refer to Charleston AFB Natural Disaster Guidebook for detailed instructions.
· Check the condition of emergency equipment and review your insurance policy to include flood and wind insurance.
· Prepare your property by trimming trees, purchasing plywood to protect doors and windows and determine where you will move any outdoor equipment or furniture.
In a hurricane watch area, hurricane storm conditions are possible within 36 hours. Now is the time to prepare your home, review your evacuation plan and unit checklist.
· Ensure your vehicles have gas and are in good working order.
· Have extra cash on hand as automatic teller machines and credit cards my not work during a power outage.
· Cover windows and doors with plywood, however base housing does not allow this. Moving valuable furniture away from windows and doorways is the best avenue of protection. Check flashlight batteries, first aid supplies and medications. Stock up on canned food and water. Bring in lightweight objects, such as trashcans and lawn furniture.
· Check your evacuation supplies for prescription medications, baby food and diapers, toiletries, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, blankets or sleeping bags, identification, valuable papers and a credit card or cash.
· The most susceptible areas of damage are mobile homes, high-rise buildings or directly on the coastline.
In a hurricane warning area, hurricane storm conditions are possible within 24 hours. Prepare your family to leave the area if directed to.
· Listen to the radio or watch the television for updates and important information.
· If instructed to evacuate, leave early to avoid being cut off by floodwater. Tell neighbors and a family member outside the warning area of your evacuation plans. Take your pets with you.
· Follow the instructions issued by base and local officials. If ordered to evacuate or directed to a shelter, leave immediately. Note: Military members will not evacuate until directed to do so by their chain of command.
If you have not been ordered to leave, follow these suggestions.
· Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting and keep it closed.
· Unplug small appliances and turn off utilities and propane tanks.
· Fill a bathtub and containers with water for drinking and sanitation.
· Stay away from windows and doors.
· Close all interior doors and stay in an interior room on the first floor.
Many hazards remain after a hurricane. Continue to listen to the radio for road conditions and other information. Do not attempt to drive across flooded roads because two feet of water is enough to carry a vehicle away. Stay away from standing water as it may be electrically charged by downed power lines or underground cables. Have professionals check gas, water and electrical lines. Do not drink tap water until local authorities or the bioengineering flight say it is safe. Never use candles for lighting because an open flame may cause a fire due to leaking natural gas lines.
Following these guidelines will help keep your family stays safe during a hurricane. Prior to a deployment, ensure you go over your hurricane plan with your family. If you are a single service member, entrust someone to secure your property while you are deployed if a hurricane threatens your home.
For more hurricane information, visit the Globemaster and click on emergency
management.