Hurricanes: The Aftermath

A hurricane is one of the most powerful forces of nature - capable of producing winds of over 150 miles per hour and a storm surge of over 26 feet.  They can be as destructive as an earthquake, volcano or tsunami.  But, unlike these tests of nature, hurricanes do afford us one small gesture: a few days notice before they strike. And, yes that gives us time to prepare for the impact but even with this preparation, there is often a sense of disbelief.

Due in part to lack of adequate preparation, the damage caused by a hurricane can be very costly.  Property damage is actually the biggest and costliest of hurricane effects.  And, South Florida has clearly seen its share of some of this damage – from blown out windows and exposed rooftops, to water damaged homes and street flooding.  Unfortunately, the damage doesn’t end there.

How Hurricanes Affect Our Environment

Hurricanes also affect our natural systems. A hurricane’s tremendous amount of force impacts the landscape by causing stagnation.  This happens when fallen trees don’t allow sunlight to penetrate the ground restricting the development of new plant life.

Another damaging effect of hurricanes is beach erosion.  As strong winds together with storm surge slam into our shores, our beaches are greatly impacted.  This can cause a decline in travel and tourism which directly affects our local economy.

Hurricane Preparedness

Our personal property, the natural environment and even local industry – nothing escapes the effects of a hurricane. The impacts are great, the costs are high and the recovery is long.

We’ve seen increased hurricane activity in the last few years and experts predict we will continue to see more of the same. So, while we can’t change the path of future hurricanes we can change our actions.  We can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster by being aware and well prepared. Here are some Hurricane Smart Tips to help you and your family prepare for any storm.

Here’s what to do before hurricane season:

• Install shutters
• Have insurance info up to date
• Designate a safe room
• Prepare survival kit
• Prune trees
• If you have a boat that you will need to move - determine where ahead of time.
• Establish a family contact
• Have a pet evacuation plan
• Know your evacuation route

Once you’re ready for the season, it’s time to get hurricane-ready:

• Put up shutters
• Bring in lawn furniture and other potential projectiles
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings.
• Secure your household chemicals
• Store drinking water
• Gather supplies for survival kit
• If you have a boat on a trailer, move close to house and weigh it down. Boats anchored at a marina should be tied high and have extra lines attached.
• Fuel car and purchase extra fuel for generators
• Have cash on hand
• Stay tuned to the radio for updates

After a hurricane, follow these recovery tips:

• Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
• Avoid walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters
• Take precaution when using chainsaws and other tools during debris pickup
• Stay tuned to local radio for information

Preparation is Key

As residents of one of the areas most vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes, we need to plan before the hurricane season, prepare once a hurricane is approaching and take precautions once it’s passed – it’s as simple as that. It’s not a matter of choice but rather one of survival.

During a given season, many warnings may be issued and hurricanes may or may not lose strength or change directions. It’s easy to let your guard down and be complacent, hoping we won’t be impacted. But, we can’t forget the damage of recent hurricane seasons and how the absolute worst occurred because of a lack of preparation.  Hopefully you now have the tools needed to be better informed and ready for the next hurricane that heads in our direction.  Stay safe and don’t forget to keep it Down to Earth.