Tropical Weather Resources
Sep 5, 2008 8:30 am US/Eastern
South Florida Needs To Plan For Ike, Just In Case
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
While we still don't know if Hurricane Ike will directly affect South Florida, it's always important to be prepared. Category 1 hurricanes are dangerous, and Category 5 storms can be survived. How well you and your family come through any storm depends on preparation. The things you do before a storm will have a dramatic effect on your situation after the storm, and now is the time to start planning.
"We don't want to alarm anyone, we just want to warn everyone to keep your guard up," Chuck Lanza, Director of Broward County Emergency Operations.
At a Home Depot in Kendall,
CBS4's Liv Davalos noticed the store has stocked up on hurricane supplies for customers. Items like plywood, flashlights and batteries are easily accessible. Supermarkets are also stocking up on supplies.
It's important to remember that hurricanes are not like earthquakes, you have time to prepare. Part of that preparation should include a plan for you, your home, pets and family.
Decide now where you and your family will go, if and when Ike threatens a South Florida landfall.
Decide on a specific place. Know if you live in an evacuation zone. If you must leave your own home, the best place to go is a well-protected house of a friend or relative who lives nearby but outside the evacuation zone. A shelter is a last resort. It is not recommended that you stay in any structure without good shutters or properly installed hurricane protection during any hurricane.
DO NOT count on driving north on I-95 or the Turnpike. Being stuck in your car in a traffic jam is probably the worst place to be in a hurricane. There is no guarantee that the storm will not turn north and follow you. Even if you do reach your destination, you will likely be in a weaker building than you would be if you stayed in South Florida. There is a very real shortage of shelter spaces throughout Florida, and there aren't enough motel rooms for large numbers of people leaving South Florida.
DO NOT count on going to the airport and flying out. If the hurricane moves quickly, flights will be canceled. You can't stay in the airport to ride out the storm.
Get your shutters ready.
Decide where you will park your car(s). A garage is the best place. Right next to the house is second best. Avoid trees and anything else that could fall and damage your car.
Plan to move your boat early. People die in every hurricane trying to save their boats. DO NOT let that happen to you.
Plan NOW for your post-hurricane water supply.
You DO NOT need to buy bottled water. It's easy to prepare your own supply. Have enough containers on hand to hold one gallon of water per person per day, and fill them with tap water. Sterilize your containers with a little non-flavored bleach and water. Slosh it around, rinse the container, and then fill it.
You'll also need water for washing and flushing the toilet. The bathtub is a good place to hold non-drinking water. Use caulking to seal the drain.
DO NOT end up in line for water after a hurricane. A little planning now will save you a lot of time and frustration.
It's also not uncommon to see many suffering from severe anxiety as a result of hurricanes looming in our area.
"A very strong anxiety," said psychologist Dr. Marc Greenfield. "I see people who are adults now, who were children during Andrew, and they react very strongly every hurricane season when there is a blip on the map.
The best antidote to anxiety experts say is to be prepared.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Tracking Ike - 11 AM Advisory
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