August 31, 2012
Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some things to know to surviving Martial Law?(1)
Michael
Petruccelli says; Prepare before any declaration of martial law by
becoming self reliant. You may become subject to a bureaucratic system and
be prepared to stay one step ahead of it which is easy to do if you are
prepared and in a position to be self reliant. You may also face mob rule,
chaos, panic, or a complete breakdown in law and order. Surival situations
may be easier to handle in rural areas than urban.
August 26, 2012
Michael Petruccelli asks; What is an Extreme Wind Warning?
Michael Petruccelli says; An EXTREME
WIND WARNING:
Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane
(115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to
begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a
well-built structure.
Additional Watches and Warnings are
issued to provide detailed information on specific threats such as floods and
tornadoes. Local National Weather Service offices issue Flash Flood/Flood
Watches and Warnings as well as Tornado Warnings.
Be Alert For...
Tornadoes they are often spawned by hurricanes.
The calm “eye” of the storm it may
seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change
direction and quickly return to hurricane force.
REMINDER: If you are told to leave
your home, do so immediately!
What to Bring to a
Shelter:
„„First-aid kit
„„Medicine, prescriptions
„„Baby food and diapers
„„Games, books, music players with
headphones
„„Toiletries
„„Battery-powered radio and cell phone
„„Flashlights
„„Extra batteries
„„A blanket or sleeping bag for each
person
„„Identification
Cash, credit card
Copies of key papers such as insurance
policies
Note: In this case the winds can be
the enemy but there is the silent enemy, the rain.
Rainfall
Hurricanes often produce
widespread, torrential rains in excess of 6 inches, which may result in deadly and
destructive floods. In fact, flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones
for people living inland. Flash flooding, defined as a rapid rise in water
levels, can occur quickly due to intense rainfall. Longer term flooding on
rivers and streams can persist for several days after the storm.
Rainfall amounts are not directly
related to the strength of tropical cyclones but rather to the speed and size
of the storm, as well as the geography of the area. Slower moving and larger
storms produce more rainfall. In addition, mountainous terrain enhances rainfall
from a tropical cyclone.
Michael Petruccelli asks; What is a hurricane Warning, what should I do when they announce a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning for Isaac?
Michael Petruccelli says; HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Hurricane/tropical
storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually
within 36 hours of the onset of tropical storm force winds. Complete storm
preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local
officials.
When in a Warning
Area…
1. Closely monitor radio, TV or NOAA
Weather Radio All Hazards for official bulletins.
2. Close storm shutters.
3. Follow instructions issued by local
officials. Leave
immediately if ordered!
4. Stay with friends or relatives at a
low-rise inland hotel or at a designated public shelter outside the flood zone.
5. DO NOT stay in a mobile or
manufactured home.
6. Notify neighbors and a family
member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.
7. Take pets with you if possible, but
remember, most public shelters do not allow pets other than those used by used
by people with disabilities.
Identify pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route.
If Winds Become
Strong...
1.
Stay
away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small
interior room, closet or hallway.
2.
Close
all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.
3.
If
you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first floor room.
4.
If
you are in a multi-story building and away from water, go to the 1st or 2nd
floor and stay in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows.
5.
Lie
on the floor under a table or other sturdy object.
Michael Petruccelli asks; What is a hurricane Watch, what should I do when they announce a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch for Isaac?
Michael Petruccelli says; According to the U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service -
A
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch:
Hurricane/tropical
storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually
within 48 hours of the onset of tropical storm force winds.
Saffir–Simpson
Hurricane Scale states these wind speeds-
Tropical
Storm (39 mph sustained winds up to 73 mph)
Hurricane
Category 1 (74 mph sustained winds up to 95 mph)
Hurricane
Category 2 (96 mph sustained winds up to 110 mph)
Hurricane
Category 3 (111 mph sustained winds up to 129 mph)
Hurricane
Category 4 (130 mph sustained winds up to 156 mph)
Hurricane
Category 5 (157 mph sustained winds plus)
During
a Watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a
Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from
local officials.
When in a Watch Area…
1. Frequently listen to radio, TV or
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for official bulletins of the storm’s progress.
2. Fuel and service family vehicles.
3. Inspect and secure mobile home tie
downs.
4. Ensure you have extra cash on hand.
5. Prepare to cover all windows and
doors with
shutters or other shielding materials.
6. Check batteries and stock up on
canned food,
first aid supplies, drinking water and
medications.
7. Bring in light-weight objects such
as garbage
cans,
garden tools, toys, lawn furniture and potted plants.
Plan to Leave if
You...
1. Live in a mobile home. They are
unsafe in high winds no matter how well fastened to the ground.
2. Live on the coastline, an offshore
island or near a river or a flood plain.
3. Live in a high rise building.
Hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
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