Hurricane Survival Guide: What To Do Before And After the Storm

Khushboo Malhotra 

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Hurricanes are one of the most catastrophic and expensive natural disasters known to mankind. Empoword has conducted research on these natural disasters, looking into how to safely navigate the storm while guarding property and loved ones.

What is known as the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere has produced catastrophic devastation in the form of Hurricane Fiona (which caused widespread menace across the Caribbean and Eastern Canada) and Hurricane Ian (which enormously destructed across western Cuba and the southeast United States, particularly in southwest Florida and South Carolina), leaving people with incalculable losses.

Hurricane season starts on 15 May in the North Pacific, and 1 June in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, ending on 30 November. While we all hope for hurricanes to wreak their mayhem far from the presence of mankind, it is better to stay as far away from the hurricane’s path of potential destruction and prepare for them before the season begins.

What you do during and after a hurricane may have a monumental impact on your protection, and safeguard your property through the lashing winds, torrential rains, storm surges, inland flooding, strong winds, tornados, rough surf, and rip currents.

Here’s your hurricane survival guide, full of tips on how to mitigate the devastation caused by hurricanes.

• Tune into the National Weather Service on TV, or radio, or check social media and stay updated with all storm forecasts, and warnings 24/7.
• You’ll probably lose the power supply, knocking off your connection with the outside world. Keep a battery-powered portable radio handy and flashlights with extra batteries.
• Prep your house by cleaning the yard, locking the garage and eliminating anything that may blow around and damage your property or the neighbourhood.
• Use plywood or storm shutters to secure the doors and windows, preventing the glass from shattering. Even if you have impact-resistant windows and doors, stay at a safe distance while the hurricane is passing through.
• If a hurricane knocks out the power, it’s important to turn off the master valves for gas, electricity and your water source, as there’s a chance it could lead to grave consequences or send an unnecessary amount of electricity to your appliances and fry them beyond repair. This could also cause a house fire, so be extremely careful and keep a fire extinguisher handy.
• Take refuge in an interior room, closet, hallway or bathroom, or lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
• Stock up on food and prepare an emergency supply kit. Also, check your water reserve for both drinking and washing using containers and bathtubs.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts ready at hand and programmed on your mobile phone.
• If you or a loved one is older or disabled, contact the nearest hospital, public health department, or the police and seek advice about special needs.
• If you are a pet owner, locate pet-friendly shelters, or evacuate your pets to a safe space outside the danger. Read more about pet safety during an emergency.
• Even if the storm seems to have calmed down and dissipated outside, stay inside because it may be the calm eye of the storm.

If you need to evacuate:

• Evacuate if you live in a mobile home, on the coastline, on an offshore island, on a flood plain or high-rise. When you’re at risk from flooding, it’s important to get to high ground away from bodies of water and any flood-prone areas.
• Unplug all your appliances and turn off master valves before you leave the house.
• Identify the nearest shelter homes in your area and multiple routes to get there from your home/ location.
• Prepare an emergency supply kit in case you need to evacuate, and only take what you really need with you. This includes food, water, medicines & sanitary items, a flashlight, batteries, mobile phones, chargers, important documents, personal identification like a passport or driving license, and cash.
• Make sure your car is ready before the storm hits. If you don’t own a car, consider carpooling with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate.
• Avoid taking shortcuts and routes other than those recommended by the emergency workers as they might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas — cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.
• If driving conditions are dangerous in your area, you may hear an order to stay at home as it might be safer than leaving.