Hurricane Irene Preparedness and Safety Information Thread

[earthlight]

BEFORE THE STORM

• Stay informed by monitoring the latest hurricane and tropical storm advisories. Listen to radio and television reports, as well as NOAA weather radio to get the latest advisory updates.
  

• Listen carefully to local officials and evacuate the area if told to do so. Leave low lying or coastal areas, as well as offshore islands. These are the locations most prone to storm surge. The storm surge is the most dangerous part of a hurricane or torpical storm. The surge is a dome of water that comes across the coast as the storm makes landfall. Water levels can range from 4 to as much as 7 feel above normal sea level. Superimposed on this high storm tide are large wind driven waves. Nine out of ten deaths resulting from hurricanes have historically been the result of storm surge. If you live close to the coast in a mobile home you should evacuate to a more substantial shelter, even if you are not in a storm surge prone area.
  

• If evacuation is not required or recommended, stay at home if your house is sturdy and on high ground. If your plans call for evacuation, be prepared to go to shelters, to a nearby friends or relatives home, or to cities well inland away from the storm. If utilizing official shelters, learn their locations beforehand and the most direct safe routes to get to that shelter.
  

SUPPLIES

• Portable, battery operated radio along with a fresh supply of batteries.
  

• Several flashlights with fresh batteries. Use of candles for lighting is not recommended.
  

• Have enough extra batteries for several days. There may be no electricity after the storm.
  

• Have a full tank of gasoline in your automobile. Never let your vehicle gas tank be less than half full during a hurricane or tropical storm threat. Electrically operated gas pumps may fail during the storm.
  

• Obtain canned goods and non perishable foods. Store packaged foods which can be prepared without cooking and need no refrigeration, as there may be no electricity or gas after the storm. Refill needed prescription medications.
  

• Obtain containers for drinking water. Have clean, air tight containers to store a sufficient water supply for several days. The city water supply will possibly be interrupted or contaminated.
  

• Obtain materials for protecting glass openings. Have shutters or lumber for protecting large windows and doors. Use making tape on small windows. Putting tape on glass windows or doors will not prevent flying debris from breaking the glass, but will minimize the spreading and shattering of glass if the window does break.
  

• Have materials for emergency repairs.
  

• Moor your boat securely or move it to a safe shelter. Secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors. Bring pets indoors.
  

DURING THE HURRICANE

• Stay indoors and away from windows and doors. Take refuge in a small interior room.
  

• Beware of the eye of the storm. This calm center of the storm can be deceptive due to it's clearing sky and relatively calm winds. The eye is usually bordered by winds and rains of maximum force that will increase rapidly and from the opposite direction to the winds and rains prior to the arrival of the eye. Minor emergency repairs may be possible with the passage of the eye if necessary, but in general one should not venture out of safe shelter into the eye of the storm, as rapidly deteriorating conditions will follow.
  

AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED

• If you need to use an alternative source of electricity for your home, be careful. Observe all safety precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, or a fire. Portable generators should only be operated outdoors in a dry and well ventilated area. Never operate a portable generator indoors.
  

• If you evacuated to a public shelter, remain there until you are told that is safe to return home. Listen to your local radio or television for advice and instructions from the local government officials regarding food, housing and other forms of assistance.
  

• Do not drive unless necessary. The streets are likely to be filled with debris and downed power lines. Roads should be primarily reserved for emergency vehicles and essential rescue and recovery work.
  

• Avoid loose or dangling wires and report them to your local electric company as soon as possible. Report all broken or damaged water, sewer, or gas and electrical lines.
  

• Hurricanes and tropical storms moving inland can cause severe flooding due to heavy rainfall. Stay away from river banks, creeks or streams. When driving, do not drive into areas where water covers the roadway, the water may be too deep to safely navigate. Remember, live to drive another day. Turn around, don't drown.
  

• If you left your home from the storm, cautiously re-enter upon returning after the storm has passed. Check for gas leaks, food spoilage, water and wind damage.
  

For additional help or assistance on hurricane preparedness, please contact your local emergency management agency or your local National Weather Service office. It is best fo forumlate your preparedness plan in advance of a storm system. Do not wait until the last minute.

[salbers]

Looks like the Great South Bay on L.I. is among the highest at 7-9 feet.

[bikerman262]

A 5-7 foot storm surge would do quite a number on areas around new york harbor. I just walked past NYU medical center and they are currently evacuating all their patients. Stretchers and patients were all over the lobby. Must have been like 15-20 ambulances outside. I also saw a couple of stores by the east river that had sand bags set up at their doorways. One store off on third avenue had their windows taped, thought that was a little extreme.