PA - Hurricane Preparedness Week Is
May 16-22: Are You Ready?
Release Date: May 17, 2004
Release Number: R3-04-042
>>2004 Region III News Releases
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-- The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June land runs through November 30, with August and September typically the worst time.
The memories are fresh of Isabel’s fierce, damaging winds that caused massive power outages and created tons of debris in Virginia. In other areas of Virginia, and in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania. West Virginia and Washington, D.C., rains from Isabel caused devastating inland flooding.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working with the National Weather Service to make people aware of what they can do to prepare for the next big storm. President Bush has declared May 16-22 “National Hurricane Preparedness Week.”
“Isabel reminded all of us that hurricanes can affect any of the states in FEMA Region III,” said Acting Regional Director Patricia G. Arcuri. “We can’t control the force of nature, but we can work together to minimize its impact.”
Wind might be the first thing that comes to mind for a hurricane or tropical storm. After all, the categories of hurricanes measured by the Saffir-Simpson scale are based on wind velocity. But inland flooding caused by persistent, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Agnes in June 1972 did the most devastating damage in Pennsylvania disaster history. All 67 counties were under a major disaster declaration.
Hurricane Floyd and Tropical Depression Dennis in September 1999 and Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001 also caused widespread flooding in Southeastern Pennsylvania, while Tropical Depression Fran and Hurricane Gloria caused flooding disasters in the north and central parts of the state.
Here are some things everyone can do to prepare for Hurricane Season 2008:
- Develop Family Disaster Plans and Keep a Disaster Supply Kit. Just as every community should have a disaster plan, every family should have an emergency supply kit and plan what to do in case of a storm. Pay particular attention to relatives with special needs, small children and pets. Have a family communications plan.
- Make Your Home Disaster Resistant. You can reduce the damage caused by hurricanes by installing hurricane shutters on windows, putting straps and reinforced bracing on roofs, reinforcing garage doors, raising electrical appliances and outlets, installing sewage backflow valves and trimming back dead or weak tree branches from around a home.
- Purchase Flood Insurance now. Policies generally have a 30-day activation period before they take effect. Many homeowners do not realize that floods are not covered in their standard homeowners insurance policies until it’s too late. Flood insurance will cover losses even when the president does not declare a disaster.
If the storm comes, you can be ready. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at
www.fema.gov and the National Weather Service website at
www.weather.gov have information on hurricanes and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. For information about flood insurance, visit the website
www.floodsmart.gov.
When a storm brews
A battery-operated radio or television is one of the most important tools you can have during any weather emergency. A weather radio that broadcasts National Weather Service warnings and watches 24 hours a day can be particularly useful. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce provides the weather radio network as a public service. Keep extra batteries handy for radios and flashlights.
During a Hurricane Watch -- issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24 to 36 hours-- check emergency supplies and bring in outdoor objects. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings and collect drinking water in clean bathtubs, bottles and cooking utensils.
If a Hurricane Watch becomes a Hurricane Warning -- when winds of 74 miles per hour or dangerously high water and rough seas are expected in 24 hours or less-- listen constantly to radio or television for official instructions. Evacuate if necessary, or shelter in place by staying inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Turn off or unplug appliances.
To find out if there is a pet-friendly shelter in your area, call your county emergency management office or check the office’s Web site. You should also contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.
Before the Disaster: Have a Safe Place to Take Your Pets
Plan your evacuation strategy and don’t forget your pet! If you plan to shelter your pet -work it into your evacuation route planning.
- Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research. Many communities are developing pet-friendly shelter plans, check to see if your local emergency shelter plan includes pets.
- Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.
- Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if “no pet” policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of “pet friendly” places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations. Go to www.petswelcome.com to search online for pet friendly hotels and motels.
- Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.
- Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.
Prepare a portable disaster supply kit for your pet
Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily.
- Proper identification, including immunization records, and current photos
- Ample supply of food and water
- A carrier or cage, pet beds and toys
- Medications, medical records and a first aid kit
- Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can’t escape.
- Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
Know What to Do As a Disaster Approaches
- Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
- Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
- Check to be sure your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment’s notice.
- Bring all pets into the house so that you won’t have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
- Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and securely fastened up-to-date identification. Attach the phone number and address of your temporary shelter, if you know it, or of a friend or relative outside the disaster area. You can buy temporary tags or put adhesive tape on the back of your pet’s ID tag, adding information with an indelible pen.
You may not be home when the evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a pet-sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.
Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But, bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don’t leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.
Check out these Web sites for further information on disaster preparations for your pet:
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
York Area Pet Bird Club