Coastal Zone Management Unit

HURRICANE TIPS

Home > General Information > Hurricane Tips

General Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Introduction

Tropical disturbances develop in open ocean areas, and move across the seas. If wind speeds within such disturbances reach 39 miles per hour and move in a circular pattern in a counter-clockwise direction, they are categorized as tropical storms.

Tropical storms that continue to grow are designated hurricanes when their wind speeds exceed 74 miles per hour.

Hurricane Threats and Season

Hurricanes generate a series of threats to lives and property. The most obvious is the threat posed to buildings, equipment, and people by the high winds which characterize such storms. Another serious threat to life and property comes from the storm surge, which occurs in coastal areas.

Storm surges consist of huge domes of water and storm driven waves, which are pushed inland ahead of a hurricane. Tides of three to ten feet above normal are common, but the storm surge may rise twenty feet or more in large hurricanes. Waves come ashore with great force, far beyond the reach of normal surf. Hurricanes often generate heavy rainfall, which can cause severe flooding over wide areas.

The hurricane season generally occurs between June 1st and November 30th.

Hurricane Intensity Classification

Hurricanes are rated by their intensity, using a scale of one to five. The scale, which is outlined below, categorizes storms according to their sustained winds; the storm surges produced, and expected damage. Each risk area consists of the geographic area that is expected to be affected by the corresponding hurricane category.

Category One – Winds of 74 to 95 mph.

Category Two – Winds of 96 to 110 mph.

Category Three – Winds of 111 to 130 mph

Category Four – Winds of 131 to 155 mph.

Category Five – Winds greater than 155 mph.

A hurricane’s intensity, speed, and direction can change rapidly, so the threat to particular areas of the coast may also change quickly.

Hurricane tracking can be done on the following on the Weather Channel and Intellicast web sites. See Related Links.

BEFORE THE HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS:

Stock Your Home

It's a good idea to keep a stock of food, water, and supplies in your home. You can help your family be better prepared for any emergency if you have these supplies. Prepare a survival kit with sufficient supplies for two weeks.

At the first hurricane advisory:

· Replenish supplies of batteries, non perishable foods and tools.

· Check working order of radio, flashlight.

· Stay tuned to radio weather updates.

Water

Most people need at least one quart of water or other liquid to drink each day, but more would be better. You should also have extra containers of water for washing. Store water in plastic, airtight containers and change them every two months to be sure the water is pure.

Fill receptacles/ containers (washing machine, bath tub, buckets, and plastic bottles) to fill toilets and wash hands.

Food

Supplies should include healthy, high-energy foods that do not need to be refrigerated or cooked to eat. Stock enough to feed you and your family for up to three days (minimum).

A suggested supply of foods for emergencies includes:

whole dry milk
canned fruit juices canned meats and fish like Vienna sausage, meat spread, or tuna. Meat substitutes like beans
bread and crackers, peanut butter, dried fruits, dry cereals, tinned vegetables and fruit.
granola bars or cookies
baby food and supplies (formula, water purifier, nappies , Vaseline powder bottle foods).
Place paper or waxed packages in a water-tight container, such as a large plastic bag. This will keep them dry and make them easier to carry.

Supplies and Equipment:

Keep the following items in one place so you can get to them easily:

A battery-operated radio (with extra batteries)
A flashlight (with extra batteries)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Paper plates and utensils, including a bottle and can opener
Candles and matches (in a waterproof container) or an oil or kerosene lantern
Large Ziploc bags and plastic bags
A toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and other personal grooming items
Medicines (extra supplies of prescription medication) and a first aid kit.
Although you have emergency supplies, don't try to "ride out" a hurricane at home if you are told to go to a safer place.

CERO will stay in touch with the meteorological office which tracks the hurricane. If the hurricane is coming very close to the island, there will be suitable notification on the radio and television. If it is necessary for some communities to leave and go somewhere safer, an Evacuation will be announced.

It is very important to leave when an evacuation is ordered. You will hear about an evacuation on the television and all radio stations. If you are told to evacuate, your family should leave right away because the heavy rain could flood the roads.

Plan for Evacuation:

When you evacuate, you may want to stay with friends or relatives who live in a safer place, away from the ocean. Or you may go to a public shelter. Public shelters are usually in buildings like schools or churches. People may stay for a few hours or overnight. CERO volunteers set up these shelters so people will have a safe place to stay if they must leave their homes in an emergency.

If your family goes to a public shelter, the most important items to take are a portable radio, blankets, an extra change of clothing, and some packaged quick-energy foods like raisins and granola bars. You may also want to take a book or small game.

Your family should plan what they would do if an evacuation is ordered. Some things to do ahead of time include:

Just before you leave your home run wide waterproof tape from corner to corner in a large "X" on each window and glass door to keep glass from shattering into very small pieces. Make sure as much of the glass is covered as possible to reduce the chances of shattering.
Close and lock windows and glass doors, lowering blinds and closing curtains in case the windows break. If there is time, you can nail boards over larger windows.
Fill bathtubs and other clean containers with water in case water lines are damaged by the storm.
Keeping the gas tank as full as possible during hurricane season. In an evacuation, fuel may be hard to get.
Arranging a ride with nearby neighbors or relatives if your family does not have a car.
Planning in advance to stay with friends or relatives who live inland on higher ground if you need to evacuate.
Learning the recommended evacuation route from your home to safer, higher ground.

WEATHER REPORTS:

The Meteorological Office tracks hurricanes and warns people when a hurricane is moving toward shore. They use two different terms of importance to warn us:

HURRICANE WATCH and HURRICANE WARNING.

A HURRICANE WATCH means a hurricane might hit your area.

If a HURRICANE WATCH is issued for your area, keep listening to local radio or television stations for the latest weather information. There are other things you can help your family do if you hear a HURRICANE WATCH:

Be sure the car is fueled and ready to go, or call the person who agreed to give you a ride.
Put emergency supplies in the car or near the front door if you are riding with someone else.
Put away all those things on your lawn or patio which can be picked up and carried by the wind. Lawn chairs, garbage cans, garden tools, toys, signs, and other harmless items can become dangerous missiles in a hurricane wind.
Unplug all electrical equipment.
Put important papers like birth and marriage certificates, wills, and insurance papers in a waterproof container with your food supply or in a safe deposit box at the bank. Scan these documents and store them on Flash disks which can be kept on your person.

A HURRICANE WARNING is issued when a hurricane is expected to pass very close to or hit the island within 24 hours.

DURING THE HURRICANE:

If you are unable to leave before the hurricane comes, stay inside your house.
When you are in the house, stay away from windows and glass doors. Put tape on the windows, or nail boards over them, and keep curtains and blinds closed. This will protect you if the glass breaks from the wind.
Do not be fooled by the "eye" of the hurricane. Hurricane winds swirl around in a circle, leaving a hole in the center. In this hole, the weather is very clear and calm. As the hurricane storm moves along, first one side of the storm passes over you, then the "eye," then the other side of the storm. When the "eye" is over you, it means the other side of the storm will be next.
Keep listening to your radio or television for reports on the hurricane.

AFTER THE HURRICANE:

Stay tuned to the radio weather updates and news reports. CERO will tell you when it is safe to go back to your home, or to go outside.
Do not touch fallen or low hanging wires.
Stay clear of puddles where downed wires may have landed.
Keep telephone lines clear for emergency services.
Report downed and or sparking power lines to the Barbados Light and Power Company.
If you sought safety by leaving your premises, when you get home:

Look for damage to your house before you go inside. Watch for loose or dangling electrical power lines and broken sewer, water, or gas lines. Call your local utility companies right away if you see any.
Make sure all electrical outlets and appliances are dry and free of water before you use them.
Use your emergency supply of water or boil tap water before drinking it. Do not drink water from the faucet until officially notified that it is safe.
Check the food in your refrigerator. Without electricity, food in your refrigerator could spoil in a few hours. Don't eat it. Food in a freezer could thaw a little but would be safe to eat for several days. Food should not be refrozen once it begins to thaw.

Remember…

By being ready with emergency supplies, and knowing what to do during a hurricane, you and your family and friends can be safer during a hurricane event.

Take action now to be better prepared for hurricane season!