::'And' Feels Good When Preparing for a Hurricane::  

If you’ve watched the news this past week, no doubt you have seen the clips of destruction and devastation from Hurricane Katrina that hit the Gulf Coast last year. With hurricane season upon us once again there comes the annual burst of action from the weather, starting in our area with Tropical Storm Ernesto. Ernesto proved to be a weak threat in comparison to the force of Isabel that struck our area in September 2003 that we most certainly have not forgotten.

It’s easy to forget, as time passes, the threat we felt or the pain and damage we endured through a disaster. Our geographic location almost ensures that we will be, now or later, at the mercy of a hurricane. Local officials encourage the area to be prepared and there’s a choice to be made: wait and react, or take the steps to organize your family and household.

Many are concerned but haven’t taken action: “Yes, I need to keep batteries in stock for the flashlight and radio in case we lose power, but the kids keep using them!” “Well, I had a stock of bottled water, but we had a barbeque and we drank all of it!” These kinds of statements often trigger those feelings of guilt, of not having the supplies necessary when they are needed the most.

It’s the folks who are geared up for the storm that have a confident look. “I have fresh batteries, plenty of bottled water, and a stock of canned goods enough to feed the neighborhood!” or “That storm is coming and I’m ready for it.” “And” provokes a look of confidence and a sense of hope.

The most important thing that you can do is to be informed and prepared. Disaster prevention includes both being prepared as well as the opportunity of reducing damages. While Federal, State, and Local governments make preparations for storms, they warn citizens that that individual and community preparedness is essential to an effective response, and that pre-staged supplies do not supplant the need for individuals and families that could be affected by storms to have emergency supplies on hand.

The Disaster Management Initiative (www.disasterhelp.gov) provides these five tips, which I believe are critical to being ready. Each tip also provides a link to more information.

Develop A Family Plan - Your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability to hurricane hazards such as inland flooding, loss of power, etc. You should keep a written plan and share your plan with other friends or family.

Create A Disaster Supply Kit - There are certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane. The disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.

Have A Place To Go - Develop a family hurricane preparedness plan before an actual storm threatens your area.

Secure Your Home - There are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.

Online Vulnerability Info - There are web sites that can give you information about your community’s vulnerability to specific hazards. These include hurricanes as well as other weather related hazards.

I hope and pray that our families and communities will be safe from the destructive forces of nature. Yet, we remember that the best and the easiest time to be prepared is before disaster strikes, rather than after. And next time you are asked about being prepared, I hope your answer includes “That storm’s comin’ and I’ve got a plan!”