Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon Preparedness

 Hello out there, and thank you for taking time from your day for my post :)

 Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone season is upon us again, and this season in N. America they are calling for 6-10 hurricanes with 3-5 of them being major. I thought I'd write a 'note', to cover all the basics. I wrote a Survival book a few years ago called A Survival Primer. While there are many books about 'survival/prepping', my book covers more of the basics as well as having a proper mindset. In many cases, disasters can be pretty big, but if you have the right mindset, things will recover much more quickly. That being said, hurricanes can be hugely disruptive and damaging. Region wide destruction can bring even the most advanced cities to a grinding stop. If you are prepared, and have the right mindset, your personal recovery will be smoother than many around you. In this, there is good and bad. The worst parts beyond structural and personal damage, is the aftermath of the storm. For some reason, people feel it necessary to invade flooded/damaged homes looking for things to steal. Not food, but sellable things. This is of course the bottom of the dumpster mentality in which we can tell the savages from the citizens. For this reason, many homeowners had little choice but to stay in their homes to protect it.

 It's a widely understood thing, and law enforcement is more busy disarming citizens instead of dealing with looters. A bit counterproductive, but it happens all the time after these incidents. Anyway, I'm getting a bit off track. Every year the hurricane season begins and folks are on the lookout for tropical activity. And this is the time of year to start preparing in case of a disastrous event. Hurricanes will break trees, power lines, houses, buildings, traffic lights, and most everything that is not cemented in place. Half way through the storm, as the eye approaches, the eye wall will bring in what is called a Tidal Surge. This surge could be anywhere between 2 and 20 feet, depending on the severity of the storm. This flooding can be compounded for areas inside a bay area as water is forced into a bay and cannot drain back out properly while more water is being pushed in. So flooding is also commonplace, along with the drenching amounts of rain it brings. After these storms run their course, they leave a wake of destruction behind them. Most of the time, there will be extended power outages. This means no A/C or lighting, or TV. Refrigerators and freezers will stop cooling and all that food will begin to spoil within a day or two.

 I cannot stress this enough - do NOT try to do anything with fallen power lines. They also have the potential to arc out many feet from the wire, and this amount of electricity and amperage is instantly lethal. If the power company has not shut the power off, the wet areas will become a superconductor, meaning the water and metal structures, are electrified, and stepping into water or touching a hand rail without proper insulation will be the same as stepping into a bathtub filled with electric eels. Also, do NOT climb into your attic during high water. You could become trapped in the attic with no way to escape. Beyond cutting a hole in the roof to egress (if there is anything in the attic to cut an escape hole with) if the water level rises above ceiling level, the attic will be a tomb. Not to mention all the inward pointing nails from the shingles. Think about your escape routes and ways to move about.

 So before the season gets underway, here is a list of things that would be best to secure before the season starts up:

Batteries for your devices, as well as a means to recharge other devices. Cel phones, radios, walkie talkies, battery powered medical equipment, flashlights, lanterns, cameras, etc. For portable lighting, it is best to use LED based lights as they are much more economical on batteries, as well as emitting much more light than regular incandescent bulbs. Maglite flashlights are very durable flashlights and come in a wide variety of sizes using anywhere from 1 AAA battery to super size models using 5 or 6 D batteries. They normally use a Xenon bulb, which is brighter than plain bulbs and doesn't eat up batteries. Many these days are now using the flashlight in their cel phones, but that energy is best saved for communication. Carrying a small LED flashlight in your pocket will be priceless if power goes out, leaving you in a dark place. Disposable flashlights are handy for such events, but they do drain down faster than normal. I often carry a light device called a Nano Light. It's about the size of a cigarette filter and uses watch batteries. It very small, but very bright for it's size, and is also machined from a small aluminum billet.

And speaking of batteries, it's always best to buy reputable batteries. There are many brands, with some being cheaper in price. But in an emergency situation, it is wiser to invest in high quality batteries as they will not only last longer in storage, but will last longer in your devices. Today you can find batteries either Alkaline, Lithium, and other types. Be careful not to mix the label types to avoid any damage to your devices. Some types like the alkaline will drain faster than lithium cells and may cause unusual events if used together. Lithium cells will last much longer and have a much longer shelf life. Popular brands today can have a shelf life up to 10 years, as batteries will slowly drain over time, especially in a junk drawer, as there is other metal objects that may contact the end points. Spend the extra money and get top quality batteries if you can. It will one less thing to worry about in a blackout situation.

Candles can be used for light, but you must be very careful that the open flame is far away from anything flammable. Also be very aware of any gas leaks or airborne flammable vapors. Natural gas has no smell. The sulfur odor is added to make it noticeable. Emergency candles are made specifically for this purpose, as they are designed to burn for many hours. Many regular store bought candles are made with a softer wax, so they burn faster and leave more melted wax. Taper candles are also good, but do not burn for very long. There is a process where candles could be soaked in salt water to harden the wax and extend the burn time, but emergency candles are already made for this.

Canned and dry food (a few week's worth). Soups, snacks, and short/long term storage foods are the best bet. Many people call this kind of food 'Camping Food'. It may be all you have to keep you going before help arrives, or power is restored. Since the 'prepper' lifestyle began a couple decades ago, the manufacture of 'survival food' is booming. There are about a dozen companies who make Freeze Dried food assortments, and all they usually require is a bit of hot water, and they're ready. There are also things called MREs. Meals Ready to Eat. They were designed as a mealtime protocol for military members who cannot go to a Chow Hall for a meal, or are out in the field. Many are a full meal down to the condiments and napkin; fully self contained. Although they are meant to be warmed before eating, you can eat them straight from the pouch with the supplied utensils.While they have a good nutritional content, they do contain high amounts of sodium. While power bars would seem a good idea, the long term consumption would be in question, since they are mostly carbs for energy. But carbohydrates metabolically break down in the body faster than protein bars, so carb bars will give you 'energy drops' throughout the day, while proteins burn much slower. Also keep in mind that water will be in short supply so not having to wash a bunch of dishes after every meal is a bonus.

You also need to keep your energy levels up for repair or other tasks that will need your attention, since the normal flow of life will have been temporarily disrupted. It's usually during this time that we come to recognize the many things we take for granted, and it can change our perspective about the world. Adapt and keep looking/moving forward. On many tasks, you can often find a better way to do it, or determine that it was a luxury you could live without.

Water - 3 gallons per person per day, minimum 5 days. Although there will be no bathing or showering, you need water for dishes, cooking, drinking, hand-washing laundry, pets, etc. For potable water, you can fill your bathtub with water for using to flush toilets, pet water, laundry, etc. You will also find that there are collapsible water containers designed for this purpose. They store relatively flat, but when expanded, will hold up to 5 gallons of water, depending on the manufacturer specs. For flushing there are 2 ways to still use a toilet. One is to pour the water directly into the bowl, which will create suction in the pipes and wash down the contents. It has to be done rather quickly to work, but it does work. Using a slow pour like this will only result in further filling up the bowl, and whatever is in it. If using a 1 gallon container, it should take about 2 seconds to empty into the bowl drain. The second way is to fill the tank just over half way. While you can fill the tank all the way up, it will quickly deplete the water you stored in your bathtub. In some countries, the bowl is at floor level and the tank is in the wall. The bowl technique should work on these as well.

A water filtration system will also save you time and money since it can filter your needed supply without taking up unnecessary space, and it's only needed for food prep and drinking. While it is a good idea to have all the water you will need, if there is a nearby water source (stream, pond, fountain, etc), you can run that through your counter top water filter for drinkable water. If the water is muddy or full of debris, you can pre-filter the contents through a tightly folded wash cloth or towel. This will remove much of the sediment before putting it into your water filter. An easy way to do this is explained here:

You will need a 1 liter plastic bottle, a dish rag or small towel, and a bucket to catch the drained water. Remove the bottom of the plastic bottle and roll up the towel so it fits snug inside the bottle. Push the towel into the bottle to fit against the neck and remove the cap from the bottle. Hold the bottle over the bucket while pouring the dirty water into it. It will take a few minutes, but the dirty water you pour into the bottle will separate the debris and dirt leaving a cleaner filtered water in the bucket. This will be more effective to pour into your counter top water filter. Although the water in the bucket will be much cleaner and clearer, it may still contain bacteria and spores. At this point you can either boil the water or run it through a commercial water filter.

Since hurricanes happen in the warmer months, it is necessary to stay hydrated. You should also have 'baby wipes' for personal hygiene. Often times you will feel better and more confident when you are as clean as you can be. It helps when folks feel 'human' that they are more in tune with others.

Waterproof (ziplock) bags and such will help keep things like clothing, foods, medicines, and such, dry and shielded from excess humidity. During and after a storm, the air is very damp and it will soak into most everything, especially if the A/C or dehumidifier are not working. It will also keep batteries from getting damp and will deter corrosion.

A comfortable, dry, safe, and prepared shelter is best. The more comfortable you are, the better your chances at making it through with no worries. Your preparedness and mindset will be your best defense. The better prepared you are, the less you need to worry about things like where your next meal will come from, or if you have enough to sustain your children or pets. Also keep in mind that there will be others that are not as well prepared, and may ask for assistance, or food/water.

If possible, insure your vehicle is topped off with gas. Gas stations will be out of service due to power loss and very long lines, so it's better to have it done and not need to venture out unnecessarily. Even after power is restored and things begin to return to normal, there will still be gas lines for many days or weeks after, due to response vehicles, contractors, utility workers, Emergency workers, and such will be most active after the storm. And they all will be needing gas first, to get things back to 'normal'.

Camping gear is always helpful, as items like a portable gas stove will be very important for preparing meals and such. The small table top gas canisters are perfect for heating water for meals, or for a refreshing sponge bath rinse. Jet boil setups, or pocket stoves as they are often called, are great for heating small amounts of water for things like tea or oatmeal. Some food heating can be done as easy as setting them in direct sunlight. Wrapping them in tin foil will also heat them up faster. Although it takes longer, it requires no fuel or preparation, so think ahead on this. Everyday items like paper plates/cups and other items you would take camping, will be very convenient at this time.

Teens and kids will take it harder than adults will, as they are not familiar with these protocols, so keeping them comfortable and occupied will help out everyone involved. Activity books, games, and interaction will keep their minds busy. Teens will require much less upkeep if their phone is working. This is considering that the phone towers are still working. This may be an issue after very high winds. If they go down, then signal loss will prevail, and will affect many wireless devices. If you are within a few miles of those you wish to stay in contact with, you should also consider the new 'walkie talkie' radios. They have a very good range, and have multiple channels with security settings to keep communications discreet.

We live in times where contact with 'the outside world' has become an unhealthy habit.

Make sure you have at least a 2 or 3 week supply of your medications as pharmacies will also be closed. Having a 1st aid kit year around will be more important after a major storm, as cuts, scrapes, and bug bites/stings may happen more frequently. Keeping a modestly sized first aid kit, along with proper first aid training will be vital, as many local hospitals and clinics will be overwhelmed with injuries, or closed down due to damage or power loss.

Also remember that if there is area flooding, it also displaces the wildlife in your area. Creatures that normally stay near their streams, creeks, or rivers, will now potentially be in all flooded areas. This brings undesirable creatures into usually uninhabited areas. Creatures like snakes, rodents, and a larger influx of insects. And the more water there is, the more mosquitoes will multiply. It is also best to remember that in the event of widespread flooding, there will be many chemicals in the floodwater. Gas, solvents, oil, pesticides, detergents, sewage, landfill runoff, trash cans and dumpsters, and the like will leak into the flood water.

Make sure all of your important documents are in a safe place and ready for transport if you need to evacuate. Keep your medicines, electronic devices, and documents close to each other in case of a rapid evacuation.

Take time to think about how you will care for your pets during this time. They may not be able to 'go outside', and they too will not understand what is going on as their personal environment will also change. They do not understand what catastrophic damage is, and may not cope well in the aftermath. If they are members of your family, they will also need to be treated as such.

If you have a generator, make sure it's in good working condition, and do NOT hook it up to your house panel!  Many neighbors will be electrocuted because a generator also backfeeds it's spare current to the grid. So line workers and people will be in danger of 'dead' lines being backfed by improper generator use. Run the generator outside in a well ventilated area, and run only appliances that are necessary, like the refrigerator, freezer, a fan, lighting, chargers, etc. Do not overload the generator as it will have a shorter run time, and will frequently shut off. If you connect your generator to the main panel without having a switching gear, your generator will more than likely run at full capacity trying to supply the local grid with power demand. The harder your generator runs, the more current and amperage it will supply, therefore requiring much more fuel.

 

I learned much of this many years ago as I survived Hurricane Hugo. That storm went straight over my condo. I went outside when the eye passed over to inspect the damage to the roof. The place where I worked, refused to let people leave early so they could prepare, so I got home about 2 hours before it hit. And I had little time or money to prepare. The wind gusts were peaked at around 150 mph, which toppled several large live oak trees on the roof. The chimney was removed, and the rain was drenching. The power went out quickly as transformers blew all over the city. The power outage lasted for over 3 weeks, and the city water was badly tainted with pine sap from all the fallen trees. The tap water smelled and tasted like pine cleaner for a month. Local stores were all damaged and closed for weeks. Gas stations were also closed. Trees were down everywhere. Grocery store went dark, and all the refrigerated items in stock had spoiled. My cat (and my apartment) had become infested with fleas and needed attention. I had no choice but to tend to him on my own. I bathed him several times to wash the fleas off, and added an antibiotic to his food to counter the infections. 3 weeks without work also meant 3+ weeks without a paycheck. Not having money is nearly the same as having money in the bank, but banks and ATMs were all shut down. Power outages also affect financial networks as they are part of the internet backbone.

Also remember that in isolated areas, the response time will be much longer. Months after Hurricane Hugo made landfall, they were still in the process of restoring power and phone lines. While working in a remote area, workers came across a house that was clearly damaged from the storm. One half of the house was destroyed by fallen trees and high winds. Upon entering the structure, they discovered an elderly couple still living there. They had no contact with the outside world due to the power outages, and they had no family to check on them. They managed to survive for months all alone. His wife had run out of her medications a month into the crisis, and was immediately evacuated to a hospital. There were some very large trees fallen on their house, and many windows were broken out. Large trees also blocked the road access to their home. The man, in his 80's, did what he had to do to survive. Food and clean water were very hard to locate, and they would go days without food or water. Nobody knew they were out there. So even though most of the area was mostly restored, there are always people in more remote locations that still have no utilities, and probably no food, water, medicine, safe shelter, or health care.

I've been through quite a few power outage events (1-6 weeks) due to severe winter/summer storms, and I found a few tricks along the way. I picked up some of those solar powered yard lights. They usually have rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. They come in handy for charging batteries during the day, and will provide hours of light in the evening, especially when placed on a large glass, as it refracts more light. Dark containers also work best for heating water for washing. Placed in the direct sun, it takes a couple hours and the water is pretty hot. Running a generator for 30 minutes every few hours will be enough to charge your laptops or keep the fridge contents cooled. Placing candles near a mirror helps increase the light output. You learn that your living room can easily be transformed into a cozy campsite. And even when the power does finally come back on, it may go out from time to time as connections fail, or are repaired. Usually once the power comes back on, everyone turn on most everything in their home to get back to normal, and this can overload the grid after a restoration.

As a parting though to all of those folks who would have a refrigerator/freezer full of food. It is likely that your insurance company will reimburse you for whatever food spoilage you have. Even if it does spoil. A great gesture coming from this is to talk to your neighbors and see what you can do to cook up all of that food that would ultimately spoil. Nothing shows how strong a community is by how they take care of each other after a tragedy like this. Make a plan to gather in one location and cook up everything in the freezer, just like the others in your group, then have a neighborhood lunch buffet. It helps to lighten the social mood and feeds everyone for a couple of days. People will also need a little extra in their meal as there will be extra work added into the every day schedule.

Also, if you have a means to charge a variety of cellular devices, offer to help those who cannot charge theirs. They may need it to call their families and to check on others.

There is much to consider during these times, and it's best to do so before there is reason to react. Planning takes a lot of the pressure off. The better prepared you are mentally, and physically, the better your chances of making it through the crisis with little inconvenience. Keep your head on straight, and be prepared.

4/18/22: A few quick additions to my blog. If a strong system is due to impact your area, it is also a good idea to tape your windows. It will help hold the glass in place, and reduce the amount of airborne debris. For a better result it is best to apply an X pattern on the glass with a - through the center. Although most glass is not the fragmenting type like the ones found in automobiles, it will break into blade like debris, and depending on the force of the wind, the glass may fly all the way across the room. So it is advisable not to be near windows under wind pressure. A strong tape is recommended as masking tape is very weak. An enforced packing tape or heavy duty duct tape will work best and will help ease the strain of the bowing in of glass. Having a tarp or two available along with the fastening nails/screws in case a window is breached, is always nice to have. Duct tape is also a plus.

For water that is clear but not purified, you can add 1/2 teaspoon (or half a cap full) of household bleach per gallon of water, and allow it to stand for at least 15 minutes. Do not use a scented bleach as they will render the water undrinkable. Plain household bleach is best. If you have water purification tablets, you may follow the directions as well for drinking water. Many households may still get water from the water station, but it may have been contaminated by tidal surge or wildlife getting trapped in the pool. So just because the water looks drinkable, remember that mold spores, bacteria, and protozoa are very much smaller than the eye can see. Remember the stories of people drinking from a clear stream, and contracting giardia or cryptosporidium. Everything that happens upstream flows downstream, including animal carcasses, sewage, spilled garbage cans, drainage of usually unwashed areas, etc.

For many countries, they are already accustomed to wearing masks. Right after a storm, it is advisable to wear a protective breathing mask as there will also be airborne aerosols as well as dust and bacteria that will be carried by the wind.

Also, if there is any structural damage, be wise enough to understand if the place is no longer safe and habitable. Staying in a potentially hazardous building is no longer safe, and may complicate things. Whether it is flooding or structural damage, it may become unstable or possibly toxic. Always be aware of your surroundings and what other scenarios may exist. Living in the moment may be an obstacle of health and safety as structures could collapse, and floodwaters may limit movement as well as bringing contaminated water into your area. If even just a couple of inches of water enters the home, it has a future potential of creating moldy situations within the walls and other furnishings. Pets will also be in this environment for prolonged periods of time, as well as being exposed to whatever is in the water.

If possible, stay tuned to your local radio stations as they will be a first line opportunity for you to respond to threats in a timely manner. Without information, you may be in the path of a flash flood, landslide, spreading fire, or chemical leaks. Knowing beforehand of any severe situations will allow you to prepare properly and evacuate to a safer place. Always remember, things can be replaced, but people cannot. Life is more important than objects.

As mentioned earlier, keeping a supply of food and medications is highly advised. Among items you keep enough of, the category of creature comforts. There are inanimate things in life that give us a sense of comfort. During these times, these comforts will be well appreciated. If you're a smoker, it would be wise to pick up a few cartons, since creature comfort items will be in high demand during these times. Insuring your portable MP3 player has enough batteries and music to last for a few weeks is another comfort. Others prefer to read books/magazines, while others would prefer needlepoint or bunka. The trick is to pick up an item or two each week, and in no time you will have a treasure of comfort items. If phone towers are also knocked out, then communications will also be sparse. You will have to bide your time until the sense of normalcy is slowly restored. During this time, many people have a more refined sense of what things will change, and what things were not as important as they seemed to be. Something is daunting as hand washing dishes takes a new meaning after a prolonged outage, and their dishwasher was down. Outages can also serve as a refocusing of things in your life, about what is important, and what is just busywork, about things that were taken for granted. These times are tough and trying, but we come out stronger on the other side.