Hurricane Safety

Everyone says hurricanes don’t hit and , but we watch hurricanes on the news channels as we are currently doing with Hurricane Irene. Even though Irene and other hurricanes won’t hit our area directly, we will from these types of storms. What we need to be aware of is the inland flooding.

Remember Hurricane Floyd back in 1999. The . ran over 70 calls during a 12-hour period, we had to evacuate the area near the Springton Reservoir Dam, rescue people from raising flood waters, and had numerous fires and traffic accidents. Local volunteers were extremely busy that day of Sept. 16, 1999.  

Read these facts and tips below provided by the  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Facts About Inland Flooding From Hurricanes

From 1970 to 1999, 78 percent of children were killed by tropical cyclones drowned in freshwater floods.

One cubic yard of water weighs 1,700 pounds. The average automobile weighs 3,400 pounds. Many automobiles will float in just 2 feet of water.

The average person can be swept off their feet in 6 inches of moving water.

The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water.

At least 23 percent of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths occur to people who drown in, or attempt to abandon, their cars.

Rainfall is typically heavier with slower moving storms.

Some of the greatest rainfall amounts associated with tropical systems occurs from weaker tropical storms that have a slow forward speed (1 to 10 mph) or stall over an area. Due to the amount of rainfall, a tropical storm can produce, and are capable of causing as much damage as a category 2 hurricane.

Inland Flooding Safety Actions

Learn your vulnerability to flooding by determining the elevation of your property.

Evaluate your insurance coverage. As construction grows around areas, floodplains change. If you are in a flood area, consider what mitigation measure you can do in advance. More from the National Flood Insurance Program.

In highly flood-prone areas, keep materials on hand like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, plastic garbage bags, lumber, shovels, work boots and gloves. Call your local emergency management agency to learn how to construct proper protective measures around your home.

Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas known to flood, so you or your evacuation routes are not cut off.

Avoid driving into water of unknown depth. Moving water can quickly sweep your vehicle away.

Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.

Test drinking water for potability; wells should be pumped out and the water tested before drinking.

Do not use fresh food that has come in contact with floodwaters. Wash canned goods that come in contact with floodwaters with soap and hot water.

Hurricanes are capable of producing copious amounts of rainfall. During landfall, rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches or more is common. If the storm is large and moving slowly, less than 10 mph, the rainfall amounts from a well-organized storm are likely to be even more excessive. This heavy rain usually occurs slightly to the right of the hurricane's track. The amount of rain depends on the size, forward speed, and whether the hurricane interacts with other weather systems.

To get a generic estimate of the rainfall amount (in inches) that can be expected, divide 100 by the storm's forward motion, for example, 100/5 mph = 20 inches of rain. For specific rainfall forecasts, please monitor local forecasts from the National Weather Service. Rainfall and flooding fact: Tropical Storm Claudette (1979) brought 45 inches of rain to an area near Alvin, TX, contributing to more than $600 million in damage.

If a Hurricane is Likely in Your Area, You Should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information or check/read media outlets online.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Moor your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

Links to Helpful Information

• Top Ten Hurricane Disasters Ranked By FEMA Relief
• After a Flood
• National Hurricane Center's Inland Flooding Preparedness
• National Weather Service "Turn Around Don't Drown"