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Hurricanes, are you ready?

The term "hurricane" echoes colonial Spanish and Caribbean Indian words for evil spirits and big winds. These awesome storms have been a deadly problem for residents and sailors since the early days of colonization. During the 20th century, 23 of the hurricanes that touched land caused damage in excess of $1 billion each. In 2005, Katrina was an extraordinarily powerful and deadly hurricane that carved a wide swath of catastrophic damage and inflicted large loss of life.
 

The risk of harm from hurricanes increases every year as population and commercial, residential, and recreational development increase along popular coastal areas. But, thanks to improvements in forecasting and emergency preparedness resulting from active partnerships between Federal agencies, state and local agencies, and private and academic organizations, the numbers of injuries and deaths are declining steadily.

This is Not a Test: NOAA Weather Radios Save Lives

In most severe weather events, lack of warning contributes to fatalities, injuries, and damage that could have been prevented. NOAA Weather Radio is the single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the public. It broadcasts the latest information on NWS warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazards 24-hours a day, as well as post-weather event information for all types of weather hazards. New models even sound alarms to wake sleeping citizens, giving them time to move to shelter and safe ground.

But, I Don't Live Near the Water!

If you think that living inland means you're safe from the ravages of hurricanes, think again! Recent studies of hurricane-related deaths show that in the U.S., more people die from inland flooding than from any storm surge or coastal effect. With hurricanes dropping about an inch of rain per hour, effects in low-lying and mountainous areas can be catastrophic. In 1998, Tropical Storm Charley's strike in Texas and Hurricane Mitch's land-fall in Honduras caused a number of casualties far from the water's edge.

Max Mayfield, the director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, warns Americans not to overlook the dangers of inland flooding from land-falling storms. Remember Hurricane Floyd? "Unfortunately, most of the 56 U.S. citizens that died as a direct result of Hurricane Floyd lost their lives from inland flooding, the deadly by-product of hurricanes that cannot be ignored," Mayfield said. "When an evacuation order is given, it should be treated as a life or death matter."

 

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Are You Hurricane-Ready?

Do you know what to do before a hurricane is even forecast? Do you know the difference between a "Hurricane Watch" and a "Hurricane Warning" and how to respond to each? And, do you know what to do and where to go after the hurricane passes? Having a hurricane plan for yourself, your family, and even your pets can reduce the risks of injury and death. Understanding the hurricane warning and watch alerts can reduce anxiety and panic and help you function better during an emergency. And, knowing where and how to find help when it's over can hasten recovery and rebuilding.

Are you ready for the storm? Do a quick "Hurricane Check" on your home, and find out!
Have you installed hurricane straps and storm shutters on your windows?
Have you reinforced your roof with hurricane straps and bracing?
Have you reinforced your garage doors?
Have you secured all double-doors at the top and bottom, adding bolts or pins where needed?
Have you trimmed back dead or weak branches from trees and stored the debris away from the house?

Don't delay! The answers to these and other life-saving questions are just a "click" away!

For more hurricane information and preparation and damage prevention guidance, visit one of the following Internet sites before the storm:

Visit NOAA.
Visit NWS.

Visit the National Hurricane Center.
Visit NASA.
Visit FEMA.
Learn more about GOES.

 

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