Lessons Learned from Katrina
By Frank Vanderlugt
Katrina was a terrible storm that cost many people their lives and even more people their homes and livelihoods. As another hurricane season gets underway, it’s time to again review the precautions people who live in hurricane zones should follow.
Evacuate if necessary. If you are ordered to evacuate, do so. Before hurricane season even begins, you should decide where you can go if you are ordered to leave. Staying with your house is dangerous. You need to protect the lives of your family members if the storm is too strong. Decide on an evacuation plan you can follow long before hurricanes begin to form.
Then follow your plan. Keep all of your necessary supplies collected so you can leave in a hurry if required. You’ll want to take clothing and medicine with you, so keep everything you need handy. Also, remember that you don’t need to be ordered to leave, you can decide on your own that you feel unsafe. If you feel you and your family will be in danger, then leave. Your first priority needs to be to protect lives.
If you live in a hurricane zone, you need to invest in shutters. Explore your options because many different types exist. Most experts agree that taping your windows is a waste of time. Flying debris can easily smash into uncovered windows. For that reason, you should have shutters on your windows and any glass doors you may have. You obviously need to plan ahead and have these shutters made long before hurricane season begins.
Although plywood can be used to cover windows, it must fit the window to be of use. If you don’t want to invest in shutters, then create plywood shutters yourself for your windows. Make certain they are attached tightly with closely spaced screws. Many online do-it-yourself sites have information on building your own plywood shutters and how these shutters should be attached to your house.
In addition to covering your windows, you need to clean your yard and around your house. Remove any loose objects that can become airborne when a storm hits. You also should remove any dry or dead vegetation, especially any tress that may fall in high winds.
Be certain you stock up on hurricane supplies and refresh these supplies every year. You’ll need food and water for you and all of your family members if the power is knocked out for several days following the storm. Make certain you keep amble supplies on hand. You’ll want food that doesn’t perish and that can be eaten without heating. Keep plenty of drinking water on hand, as well as water for washing up.
Have flashlights, spare batteries, a battery-powered TV or radio, and a first aid kit. You’ll need these items should you lose power. You’ll want to keep up on what’s happening with the storm. Often, people are without power following a storm, so these items will be useful as you wait for power to return.
Ultimately, the best preparations in the world can’t save you from a truly powerful storm. Katrina showed that if it looks like the storm will be ferocious, you must leave. Houses can be replaced. Lives can’t.
About the author
frank j vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.katrina-faqs.info 2 Katrinafaqsinfo from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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