Hurricane Preparation - Lessons from Katrina

This article is not just about hurricanes though hurricane preparation is the primary subject. The information here applies to severe weather of almost any kind. Preparation and knowledge are your defense. Know the difference in severe weather terms especially the difference between Watch and Warning.

When the radio or television says WATCH, this means adverse conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours. This may be applied to thunderstorms, tornadoes or floods, as well as hurricanes. If you haven't done so sooner then this is the time to check your stock; review your Survival Kit and see how prepared you are. Discuss a Family Emergency Plan: What will you do if you become separated? Where will you meet? Remember, you might not be able to phone each other after the hurricane hits.

A standard Emergency Kit expanded to a Survival Kit should be acquired throughout the year and kept in one place. If it's short notice, gather as much of the following as you can:, especially the bottled water. After hurricane Katrina we were 32 days without electricity, running water or telephone.

Survival Kit

-Portable radio and extra batteries

-Bottled water, plan a gallon of water per person per day, 7 day minimum

-Flashlights and extra batteries

-Tube tent, sleeping bag, or blankets

-Good insect repellant

-Toilet paper

-Candles or oil lamps; lighters

- Ice chests

-Blocks of ice made in plastic containers*

-Matches, the strike-anywhere kind, in a waterproof container

-Cash for supplies like gasoline or emergency supplies. ATM's may not work**

-Sunglasses

-Long-distance calling card with lots of minutes

-Garbage bags

-Signal flare

-Knife, axe, and shovel

-ABC fire extinguisher

-Portable generator and gas if required

-Crowbar 30'-36" (1 meter)

-Clothing, shoes, gloves and rain gear

-Duct tape

-Notebook and pen or pencils

-Whistle

-Pliers

-Compass

-Sewing kit

-Sanitary aids

-Small battery-powered fan

-Adjustable crescent wrench for turning off gas

-Clear plastic sheets with duct tape or...

-Hammer/nail/wood strips for covering broken windows

-Tarp to cover holes in the roof