The track for Isaac has settled down after several days of shifting. It looks now that the people of Louisiana will be visited by a hurricane.
My biggest concern is for the flooding. The storm is expected to be in the area for a couple of days bringing rain repeatedly to the region. Flooding doesn’t seem to be a “Sexy” topic in the media—I feel many times they are looking for the great video that wind destruction comes from. Flooding is too slow and hard to describe.
But, flooding is a major concern. An email from FEMA’s Ready.gov today read:
Keep in mind, hurricanes bring heavy rains, storm surges, and possible flooding events. Avoid walking or driving through any flooded areas – it takes only six inches of fast-moving flood water to knock over an adult and two feet to move a vehicle. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
With that said, hurricanes bring a number of different concerns to an area.
FEMA reminds each of us that:
If you have not done so already, it is important to ensure you:
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Check your family’s emergency supply kit – make certain you have food, water, medications, and other necessities to sustain you, your family and family pets for at least 72 hours.
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Follow the direction of local officials – any evacuation orders come from local officials, so follow their guidance. When it comes to swimming, follow local warnings as well. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by storms.
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Keep up to date with local conditions – follow TV and radio reports from your area, or visit www.weather.gov(http://mobile.weather.gov on your phone) for the latest forecast.
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Remember food safety – power outages and flooding may happen as a result of a tropical storm or hurricane, so have a plan for keeping food safe. Have a cooler on hand to keep food cold, and group food together in the freezer so it stays cold longer.
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Have an adequate communication plan – be sure friends and family know how to contact you. Teach family members how to use text messaging as text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not able to get through.