Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
[ 13 ]
When a hurricane is approaching, and/or floodwaters are rising, it is the wrong time to wish
you had planned ahead. I strongly suggest that you use this chapter, along with the first 8
chapters (the “core” of this topic) to help you plan ahead to cope with hurricanes and floods.
When deciding whether to pack and go (evacuate), or to stay and make a stand, if your life is at
stake, or the lives of your loved ones, it is wiser to err on the side of caution. The vast majority
of nearly 2,000 deaths attributed to Hurricane Katrina could have been avoided had those
people evacuated ahead of time. Remember, whenever there is a hurricane warning, there will
be a run on items like matches, flashlights, candles, plywood, milk, bread, first-aid kits, and
generators. The procrastinators get the dregs of what is left on the shelves after they have been
picked over, which in some cases is nothing of any use in an emergency!
This chapter covers hurricane and flood survival tips, how to improve the resistance of
your home to hurricanes, checklists of items to have on hand and action items to take care of
beforehand, and tips for dealing with the aftermath, including toxic mold (in the case of flood-
ing).
-------------
Several years ago, my friends David and Nancy flew to the island of Kauai for their vacation. On the first day of their
vacation, they went for a walk on the beach. As they gazed out to sea, they watched a dark and sinister looking cloud
build and boil on the horizon. When the waterline receded about 20 feet out to sea, they knew that something serious
was about to hit. They rushed back to their rented cottage, a mile down the beach and a few houses back from the
shore. By the time they reached their cottage, the winds had increased to over 80 miles per hour as Hurricane Iniki
approached the Island. Since David was an employee of the public utility district in a mountain community, he knew the
importance of preserving a supply of potable water. Immediately, he filled all the sinks and bathtubs in the house with
water and instructed the other occupants not to flush toilets or wash with the stored water.
As the day progressed, winds increased to an almost unbelievable 175 miles per hour. The terrified occupants
crouched in corners, away from windows, and watched fearfully as large chunks of the neighboring houses blew by.
Their house was constantly pelted with flying debris and the roar of the wind was deafening. Hours later, when the
storm cleared, there was an eerie silence. Downed trees cluttered the roads, making automotive travel impossible. The
stores quickly ran out of food and water. The water that David had stored in the bathtubs and sinks provided drinking
water for several households. It took more than three weeks to restore electricity and water to most of the island.
-------------
