Panic is inevitable with the threat of a powerful hurricane like Milton coming barreling toward the region. In these moments, people can make mistakes, making an already bad situation worse. Read here for things that you should never do in a hurricane.
If you’ve moved to an area prone to these destructive forces, you must become familiar with how they work and what can go wrong if you’re not fully prepared.
Things To Avoid During Hurricanes
Hurricanes like Milton are powerful and destructive storms that cause fear and panic and, at the same time, stir fascination, leading some people to venture outside or watch from their windows as the events unfold, particularly if they’re new to hurricane-prone regions.
These sorts of mistakes can make terrible situations much worse, with people losing their lives because they don’t understand the power these storms are capable of. Before you become a statistic, it’s vital to learn what can go wrong when you don’t heed the warnings.
The windows
Officials warn residents to stay inside their homes and in an area away from windows when a hurricane is eminent as a safety precaution. Curiosity tempts many people to watch, at least from their windows, but wind gusts could shatter the glass, causing injuries or worse.
When the storm seems to die down or has reached the back end, some deem it safe to inspect the damage. These storms are unpredictable, with the back end sometimes being almost if not more intense than the front.
The recommendation is to assign a safe room in the interior of your home, not the basement, without windows, and stay there until an official announcement has been made that the storm has passed.
Ignoring warnings
Officials will warn residents when storms reach unsafe categories, ordering them to evacuate to ensure optimum safety. While you may want to stay behind in an effort to protect your personal effects or property, it can put your life and those of emergency personnel in extreme danger.
At the first indication that the storm is reaching dangerous levels, it’s wise to move to a location outside the storm zone that will accommodate you and your pets until you can return home. A priority before leaving is to make sure your house is protected.
This means installing metal or storm shutters or using plywood to board the windows and doors. Investing in roof straps when living in a hurricane-prone area is also worth it.
For those who choose to stay, cars should be parked inside a garage or another covered area to protect them from heavy winds, flying debris, and flood damage. Cars exposed to storms can be irreparably damaged.
The floods
Many lives are lost because people underestimate the flood waters. For instance, merely a foot of rushing water can sweep a car away, and only six inches will cause a vehicle to readily stall.
Downed power lines, bacteria, and assorted debris make shallow flood waters extremely dangerous. No one should be standing or walking in these waters. You should find other ways to get to elevated areas if you were unable to get there before the storm hit.
The water system
When alerted to a hurricane, buy a supply of bottled water or fill containers from the tap to avoid potential contamination after the storm makes landfall.
It will also be unsafe to take a bath or shower while the storm is in effect. Heavy winds can down power lines, creating electric surges, and lighting will work its way through the plumbing.
Energy source
When the power goes out, most people find lighting candles harmless, but open flames can be hazardous in the heart of a storm since a hurricane can damage the gas line. Every precaution should be taken, including using the safest energy sources.
A generator is a good resource if the power were to go out, but it’s vital to recognize that this is not equipment to use inside a garage or house. Carbon monoxide will build rapidly in an enclosed area from indoor use. These should be kept outside and at least 20 feet from doors and windows.
In that same vein, people can be ill-prepared if they’re new to hurricane-prone areas by buying inappropriate food items that need to be cooked, which is difficult if the power goes down.
Some resolve this by bringing their gas or charcoal grill inside to prepare their foods, not realizing that grills produce excessive carbon monoxide levels when used in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to permanent injury.
The preparation
Aside from protecting property, it’s critical to be prepared when alerted to an eminent storm, particularly if evacuation is not mandatory. Essential supplies, including batteries, meds, and food and water, should be purchased, enough to last a couple of weeks.
Those new to the weather should check official local websites with all hurricane questions and concerns and learn specifics on supplies to include in your storm kit.
When the power goes down, a genuine possibility with hurricane wind gusts often exceeding 100 mph, it can take time to restore. That can mean a few days or a couple of weeks before getting to a store, having assistance, or being able to reach out to family or close friends.
It’s important to conserve the charge on your mobile in order to communicate with at least one person who you can keep up to date on your safety status.
Final Thought
The thought of hurricanes like Milton creates fear and panic. Living through them is terrifying, to say the least – (Mississippian here). Still, it’s critical to try to calm your nerves in an effort to make informed decisions and prepared choices as the storms unfold.
First and foremost, develop a line of communication with at least one close friend or family member outside of the hurricane region who can let others know of your location and safety status. And above all else, prioritize the safety and security of your furry friends. They seem to get forgotten in the panic.
