iradiophilly | News - Hurricane Irene Most Powerful East Coast Storm in Decades

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Hurricane Irene Most Powerful East Coast Storm in Decades

by: iradiotom - Philadelphia, PA
started: 08/25/11 6:51 am | updated: 08/25/11 6:51 am

As Hurricane Irene tracks up the East Coast, it has the potential to become the most powerful Hurricane to hit the Philadelphia area in decades. Residents of the Philadelphia area rarely get close contact with hurricanes and may not be prepared. Proper preparation in advance will help survive the worst storms. Hurrican experts suggest the following:

Hurricane Survival Kit - Essential Items

During a hurricane, and possibly for days or even weeks afterward, electricity and other utilities might not be available. Debris and/or water might block the roads, preventing vehicles from getting in our out of your neighborhood. Help might not reach you for days after the hurricane, so youâ€™ll need to be completely self-sufficient during that period.

Here are some of the most critical supplies to have on hand, well before a hurricane threatens:

At least a 3-day and preferably a 7-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
Non-perishable food
Formula, diapers, and other baby supplies
Manual can opener
First aid kit
Prescription and non-prescription medicines
Toiletries
Cell phones and battery-powered cell phone chargers
Battery-powered radios and flashlights
Plenty of batteries
Extra cash
Blankets, sleeping bags, books, and games (especially if evacuating)

When a Hurricane Threatens

Depending on your location, you could be told to evacuate before a warning or even a watch is issued by the National Hurricane Center. Notify someone unaffected by the storm about your whereabouts.

No later than when a watch is issued:

Fill vehicles with gas.
Get extra cash.
Fill prescriptions.
For mobile homes, secure tie-downs and prepare to evacuate when ordered.
Bring in loose objects from outside.
Prepare to secure all windows with shutters or plywood.

No later than when a warning is issued:

Secure all windows with shutters or plywood.
Place valuables and important papers in a waterproof container and store on highest floor
of home.

If you are told to evacuate:

Follow all instructions from local officials, and leave immediately when told to do so.
Bring emergency supplies listed above.
Bring copies of important papers such as insurance policies and list and photos of your homeâ€™s contents.
Bring blankets, sleeping bags, books, and games.
Unplug appliances, turn off electricity and main water valve.
Lock windows and doors of your home.
Go!

If you are not told to evacuate:

Stay at home! Leave the roads available for those who must evacuate.
Clean bathtub with bleach, fill with water for washing and flushing (not drinking).
Set fridge to maximum cold and keep closed.
Turn off utilities if told to do so by local officials.

During a Hurricane

Go to an interior room on the lowest level of the structure in which youâ€™re taking shelter.
Stay away from windows and doors, even though theyâ€™re covered with shutters or
plywood.
During extremely strong winds, lie under something sturdy such as a stairwell or large piece of furniture.
Do not go outside, not even during passage of the eye. If the eye passes directly over you, the winds could become very weak, but only for a very short period. It will not be long before hurricane-force wind resume, blowing from the opposite direction as before the eye arrived.

After a Hurricane

Help might not come for up to a few days, and power could be out for days or even weeks.
Avoid driving on roads covered by water and/or debris. It is often difficult to determine the depth of water covering a road. Turn around, donâ€™t drown.
Avoid downed power lines. Stay away from objects that are touching a downed power line, such as a fence or tree.
Do not touch anything electrical if you are wet. Stay out of water that could be touching anything electrical, such as in a basement with electrical appliances, or in flooded areas outside where there could be downed power lines.
Only use a generator in an outdoor, well-ventilated area, and closely follow manufacturerâ€™s instructions. Many people have died in the aftermath of a hurricane from inhalation of poorly ventilated carbon monoxide from a generator.
Use flashlights instead of candles for light. Candles pose a serious fire hazard.