Summer Means it is Time for Storm Planning
As hurricane season gets underway, Advanced planning becomes important for surviving and thriving during severe weather.
Photo by Roni Bintang/Getty ImagesSummer means it's time to watch the skies and listen for weather and listen for warnings and watches. The best way to ride out severe weather is to be prepared for it in advance.
Welcome to summer.
The calendar has turned to June, and with that, brings the potential for challenging weather, with hurricane season running from June 1 through November 30.
Augusta is more than 120 miles from the Atlantic Coast and almost 300 miles from the Big Bend of Florida and is, historically, a place where hurricane refugees can come to wait out storms. But on September 27, 2024r, Hurricane Helene hit the CSRA, leaving a trail of devastation. More than 30 lives were lost due to the direct and indirect impact of Helene. The National Hurricane Center reported that nearly 400 homes were destroyed, with another 3000 receiving major damage, and another 3500 with moderate damage.
The Augusta area, due to its location, has experienced tropical storms over the years, but many homes and buildings were not built to hurricane standards.
Outside of the rare hurricane, summer also brings thunderstorms, flooding, and possible tornado activity. This makes June the perfect time to put a plan together to protect homes and families.
Start by having a safe place to meet. If you live in a mobile home or a home without a basement, determine a safe place, such as the home of a family member, or a church, to meet. Storm plans should be activated as soon as a watch is announced. Time may be of the essence.
- Understand the difference between warnings and watches - be it a tornado, thunderstorm, or hurricane. A watch means that conditions are favorable for a storm. A warning means that weather activity is happening in the area at the time.
- If a hurricane, thunderstorm, or tornado watch is in effect, pay attention to local weather authorities.
- During severe weather, take shelter in a basement or an interior room away from windows.
- Those outside or in a vehicle should find the closest place to take shelter. Avoid being stranded in a vehicle or a metal building or shed.
Practicing a storm plan is recommended. Severe weather, such as Helene, can hit in the middle of the night or any time of the day. Once the storm has passed, continue to monitor weather and information from emergency management officials before leaving shelter.
It’s also advisable to have supplies stocked up, as a severe storm can knock out power for hours, days, and even weeks.
Things to have on hand include:
- Battery powered weather and/or AM/FM radios
- Water - at least one gallon per day per person for at least three days
- Nonperishable foods
- First aid kit
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Pet food
- Cash
- Medications, including over-the-counter medications
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Toiletries such as feminine hygiene products and toilet tissue
- A can opener
These are the basics and more may be required or advisable depending on individual circumstances such as the number of people in a household and the ages of family members.
The most important component of any storm plan is a readiness to activate it in a matter of minutes. Time may not be something there is a lot of when the next big storm hits.
