HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Hey Andrea, since when is a woman on time, or even early for that matter??  

     Andrea, the first named storm of 2007, has already worked her way off the Georgia coast, so far ahead of the official June 1 start date of the Atlantic hurricane season.
     This is somewhat unusual for such an early appearance of a subtropical storm like Andrea. Storms of this type can even evolve into full-blown hurricanes; however, Andrea is expected to dissipate this weekend.
                 

  Which means that this is great time to bring attention to...

    Hurricane Preparedness Week May 20 – 26, 2007

     The Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, averages 9.6 named storms, with 5.9 of them becoming hurricanes and 2.3 major hurricanes. (According to the National Hurricane Center)
     Andrea carried tropical storm-force winds and rains which stem partly from the fact that it originated outside the tropics.  Places where forecasters aren’t looking.  As a result, forecasters may sometimes underestimate their intensity and may fail to give adequate warning to areas which could subsequently be hit hard.
     According to The Associated Press, Philip Klotzbach, a research associate at Colorado State University, and Joe Bastardi, the chief hurricane forecaster for AccuWeather Inc., “Although Bastardi predicts fewer storms than his counterparts; he agreed 2007 would be more active than usual. He expects 13 or 14 named storms, six or seven of which will strike the U.S. coast. Bastardi said the Texas Gulf coast is twice as likely to be hit as in an average year and Florida appears four times as likely.”
     The National Hurricane Center advises now is the time to originate a Family Disaster Plan.
Here are some helpful hints to develop

Your Family Disaster Plan

1. Discuss the different types of hazards that could affect your family.            Storm surge, flooding, high winds.

2. Locate a safe room, or the safest area of your home, or the safest place in your community

3. Determine escape routes from your home.

4. Determine places to meet, these should be measured in tens of miles to assure everyone meeting safely

5. Determine an out-of-state friend as a family contact so each member of the family will have a single point of contact should you become separated.

6. Make a plan for your pets should you need to evacuate.

7. Post emergency phone numbers by your phones or program in your cell phones.  Make sure children know how and when to dial 911.

8. Review your insurance coverage.  Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners’ insurance policies.  You may want to purchase a separate flood policy.

9. Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit (We will elaborate on this in a few days)

10. Remember to replace batteries in your weather radio.

11. Prepare a first aid kit.  Think about attending a First Aid, CPR and/or a disaster preparedness class.
    

For a printable list, courtesy of Sarasota County Emergency Management, click here

“Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy.” 

Bill Proenza, Director National Hurricane Center

For look at the current Venice, Florida weather click here  

• Sarasota County Emergency Management

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