Know 14 HURRICANE BASICS

Know  14 HURRICANE BASICS


1)  
Hurricane Season - 
June 1 to November 30  (Historically, the greatest potential for hurricanes in New York City occurs from August to October)

2)  
Tropical Cyclone - 
An organized, rotating, low-pressure weather system of clouds and thunder-storms that develops in the tropics

3)  
Tropical Storm - 
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 39-73 mph

4)  
Hurricane - 
A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater

5)  
Hurricane Watch -
Issued for a coastal area when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 36 hours

6)  
Hurricane Warning -
Issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 mph or higher and/or dangerously high tides or waves) are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less

7)  
Storm Surge - 
Accounting for the largest number of hurricane fatalities, storm surge is a dome of ocean water that is pushed ashore by the oncoming hurricane’s winds. A major hurricane could push more than 30 feet of storm surge into some parts of New York City.

8)  
Wind - 
With sustained winds of 74 mph or greater, hurricanes may flatten buildings, topple trees, and turn loose objects into deadly projectiles.

9)  
Rain - 
Heavy rain from hurricanes can cause flash flooding. Low-lying and poor drainage areas are especially vulnerable to flooding.


10.
STORM CATEGORIES
Hurricanes are categorized according to wind strength using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

Type Category Potential for Damage Wind Speed (MPH)

a)  
Hurricane 1 Minimal 74-95

b)  
Hurricane 2 Moderate 96-110

c)  
Hurricane 3 Extensive  111-129

d)  
Hurricane  4 Extreme 130-156

e)  
Hurricane 5 Catastrophic 157 or higher

11.
BEFORE A STORM- EVACUATE OR STAY?

IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS make sure your preparedness plan
addresses how your special needs affect your ability to evacuate,
shelter in place, and communicate with emergency workers.
Arrange help from friends, family, or neighbors if you will need assistance
with evacuation. Allow additional time and consider your transportation needs.

IF YOU HAVE PETS

Make sure your disaster plan addresses what you will do with your
pet if a hurricane requires you to leave your home.
If you cannot shelter your pet at a kennel or with friends or relatives
outside the evacuation area, pets are allowed at all City shelters. Please
bring supplies to care for your pet, including food, leashes, a cage, and
medication.

IF YOU LIVE IN A BASEMENT

Basement apartment residents may face additional risks from hurricanes
even if they live outside evacuation zone boundaries. Many areas of the
city can experience rainfall flooding. If you live in a basement apartment,
be prepared to take shelter above ground.

IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING

If you live in a high-rise building located in an evacuation zone, follow
evacuation orders. If you live in a high-rise building, especially on the 10th floor or above, stay away from windows in case they break or shatter. Or, move to a lower floor.

PREPARE A DISASTER PLAN

Develop a plan with your household members that outline what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes New York.

DETERMINE WHETHER YOU LIVE IN AN EVACUATION ZONE
Areas of the city subject to storm surge flooding are divided into three zones based on how storms of different strengths will affect them. Residents in these zones may need to evacuate depending on the hurricane’s track and projected storm surge.

Use the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder at www.NYC.gov/hurricanezones,
call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115), or consult the map provided in this brochure to find out if your address is located in an evacuation zone.

HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE

If you rent your home, renter’s insurance will insure the items inside your
apartment.

If you are a homeowner, make sure your home and its contents
are properly insured — flood and wind damage are not covered in a basic
homeowner’s policy.

STAY INFORMED

For the latest information about an approaching storm or to find out if
you should evacuate, stay tuned to TV and radio broadcasts, access

www.NYC.gov, follow NYC Office of Emergency Management on Facebook,
follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115).

SECURE YOUR HOME

If a tropical storm or hurricane, watch is issued:

• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects, such as lawn furniture and  garbage cans.

• Anchor objects that will be unsafe to bring inside, like gas grills or  propane tanks.

• Close windows and outside doors securely.

• Basements are vulnerable to flooding. Move valuable items to upper floors.

HELP OTHERS PREPARE

Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions, and assist them with their preparation and evacuation

12.
KEEP A GO BAG READY

Every household member should have a Go Bag — a collection of items you
may need during an evacuation packed in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack.

Go Bag checklist:

use the suggestions below to check off items as you include
them in your Go Bag.

Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, etc.)

Extra set of car and house keys

Copies of credit/ATM cards and cash

Bottled water and nonperishable food such as energy or granola bars

Flashlight

Battery-operated AM/FM radio

Extra batteries

A list of medications you take, why you take them, and their dosages

Doctors’ names and phone numbers

First aid kit

Contact and meeting place information for your household and a small local map

Childcare, pet care, and other special items

Other personal items:

13.
ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

You may need to shelter in place (stay at home) during a hurricane. Keep
enough supplies in your home to survive for at least three days.

Emergency supply kit checklist: use the suggestions below to check off items as you include them.

One gallon of drinking water per person per day

Nonperishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener

First-aid kit

Flashlight

Battery-operated AM/FM radio

Extra batteries

Whistle

Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water)

Phone that does not rely on electricity


14.
EVACUATE OR STAY?
in short 

IF THE CITY ISSUES AN EVACUATION ORDER FOR YOUR
AREA, EVACUATE AS DIRECTED
The City will communicate through local media specific instructions
about which areas of the city should evacuate. If asked to evacuate, do so
as directed. Use public transportation if possible. Public transportation may
shut down hours before the storm.

If you do not need to evacuate, make use of your emergency supply kit and
stay away from windows in case they break or shatter.

KNOW WHERE YOU WILL GO

The City strongly recommends evacuees stay with friends or family
who live outside evacuation zone boundaries. For those who have
no other shelter, the City will open hurricane shelters throughout
the five boroughs. City shelters include accessible facilities and
accommodations for people with special needs. Evacuees will not be
asked about their immigration status at any New York City shelter.
If you are going to a shelter, pack lightly, and bring:

Your Go Bag

Sleeping bag or bedding

Required medical supplies or equipment

Toiletries

IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS

Make sure your preparedness plan addresses how your special needs
affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, and communicate
with emergency workers.

Arrange help from friends, family, or neighbors if you will need assistance
with evacuation.

Allow additional time and consider your transportation needs.

IF YOU HAVE PETS

Make sure your disaster plan addresses what you will do with your
pet if a hurricane requires you to leave your home.

If you cannot shelter your pet at a kennel or with friends or relatives
outside the evacuation area, pets are allowed at all City shelters. Please
bring supplies to care for your pet, including food, leashes, a cage, and
medication.

IF YOU LIVE IN A BASEMENT

Basement apartment residents may face additional risks from hurricanes
even if they live outside evacuation zone boundaries. Many areas of the
city can experience rainfall flooding. If you live in a basement apartment,
be prepared to take shelter above ground.

IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING

If you live in a high-rise building located in an evacuation zone, follow
evacuation orders. If you live in a high-rise building, especially on the 10th floor or above, stay away from windows in case  they break or shatter. Or, move to a lower floor.

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Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Tags – Hurricane Basics