5 Simple things to do during a hurricane to stay safe

 

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone that can cause torrential rains, high winds, storm surges, and flooding for 2 weeks or more over open water and can follow a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard, its coastal areas, and barrier islands.

According to the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane is primarily defined by its wind speeds, which must be 74 mph or greater (anything less, and the cyclone is classified as a tropical storm).

While we all hope for hurricanes to take a wayward spin back into the sea and wreak their havoc far from the presence of humans, the fact of the matter is that hurricanes are bound to make landfall sooner or later.

1- Stay Inside & Away From Windows

Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.

- Close all interior doors, secure and brace external doors.

- Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm—winds will pick up again.

- Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.

- Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object. 

2- Be Ready to Turn Off Main Energy Sources

If any water is coming into your home from the outside, whether it’s through a broken window or another source, turn off your home’s main power source immediately. The water could surge the power and turn into an electrical fire.

3- Have on hand: fire extinguisher, emergency/first aid kit, prescription medicines, flashlight/batteries, blankets/sleeping bags, cooking/eating utensils, canned foods, water bottles, jumper cables, paper maps, GPS, toilet paper, toiletries, rain gear.

4- Be ready to leave

If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Read more: 5 techniques to overcome the feeling of death anxiety

5- At last, you have to know that the safest place to be during a hurricane is as far away from it as possible. That could be an evacuation shelter or any non-evacuated zone.

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