Medical Reserve Corps Liisa Jackson www.mrcvolunteer.org

Hurricane Preparedness What are the Hurricane Hazards? What does it mean to you? What actions should you take to be prepared?

The 5 deadliest hurricanes in American history The Great Galveston Storm (1900): killed 8,000 to 12,000  Hurricane Maria (2017): killed close to 5,000 The Okeechobee Hurricane (1928): may have killed 3,000 Hurricane Katrina (2005): killed 1,833 The Chenière Caminada Hurricane (1893): nearly 1,400 people killed

The Great Galveston Storm (1900) The deadliest storm in American history, the Galveston hurricane killed 8,000 to 12,000 people. The then-thriving city was all but destroyed when, with little notice, a hurricane made landfall the night of Sept. 8, 1900.

Hurricane Maria (2017) Nearly 5,000 people died as a result of Hurricane Maria last September, according to a new report by the New England Journal of Medicine. The Puerto Rican government has previously said the official death toll is 64.

Hurricane Katrina (2005) In August 2005, 1,833 people died when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. The historic flooding topped levees, burying New Orleans and displacing hundreds of thousands of Southerners.

The Okeechobee Hurricane (1928) A brutal storm first hit Puerto Rico then Palm Springs, Fla., in September 1928. More than 18 inches of rain fell in less than a day, flooding Lake Okeechobee. The gusty winds pushed the water south, washing away homes and eventually killing as many as 3,000 people.

The Chenière Caminada Hurricane (1893) Also known as the Great October Storm, nearly 1,400 people are estimated to have died in a massive hurricane that wiped out a Louisiana fishing community. That’s nearly the population of the entire town — which had a post office, school, shrimp cannery and resort hotel, according to NOLA.com. The water reportedly pushed many bodies out to sea, and others remain in a marked mass grave near Grand Isle, La.

Hurricane Hazards Storm surge High winds Tornadoes Flooding

Storm Surge Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm.

High Winds The intensity of a land falling hurricane is expressed in terms of categories that relate wind speeds and potential damage.

High Winds (Cont) The strongest winds usually occur in the right side of the eye wall of the hurricane. Wind speed usually decreases significantly within 12 hours after landfall.

Tornadoes Hurricanes can also produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane. 

Flooding While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding from 1970 up to 2000. Intense rainfall is not directly related to the wind speed of tropical cyclones.

Have a Plan Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Plan Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance. Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors. Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Emergency Supplies Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days — non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices

Emergency Supplies — foods for infants or the elderly — snack foods — non-electric can opener — cooking tools / fuel — paper plates / plastic utensils Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Emergency Supplies Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs Special Items - for babies and the elderly Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes Flashlight / Batteries

Emergency Supplies Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Emergency Supplies Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods Keys

Emergency Supplies Toys, Books and Games Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. Tools - keep a set with you during the storm Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Emergency Supplies Pet care items proper identification / immunization records / medications ample supply of food and water a carrier or cage muzzle and leash

Scenario It is hurricane season and you want to prepare yourself, your family and your pets in case there is a hurricane: What steps do you take? Who is involved? What do you want to have in place?

Scenario There is a hurricane watch: What steps do you take? Who is involved? What do you want to have in place ?

Scenario There is a hurricane warning: What steps do you take? Who is involved? What do you want to have in place?

Scenario There is a hurricane evacuation order: What steps do you take? Who is involved? What do you want to have in place?

Home work

Questions?

Have a Plan Which Everyone Understands This is the most important step. Liisa Jackson MRC Coordinator www.mrcvolunteer.org