WEDNESDAY, Sept. 17, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- As Hurricane Isabel takes aim at the East Coast, packing winds exceeding 100 mph, authorities urge residents to prepare for the worst.
"Any major storm, particularly one this size, is capable of causing widespread damage," said Ray Steen, a spokesman for the American Red Cross. "It's critically important that all potentially affected residents prepare now."
Still, despite a hurricane watch that stretches from Little River Inlet, S.C., to Chincoteague, Va., many people remain "seriously under-prepared," Steen said.
And everyone, including those who are prepared, need to know that more hurricane-related deaths often occur after a hurricane than during the storm, a top-ranking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official told HealthDay.
If you're in one of the areas that could be evacuated -- some residents of North Carolina have already begun doing so -- the Red Cross says you should be familiar with evacuation routes and where you would go. This could be a shelter, a friend's home in another town or a motel.
Tune in to local media to stay abreast of evacuation plans, hurricane watches, warnings and other weather-related alerts.
If you're evacuated to a Red Cross shelter, take necessary medications, extra clothing, pillows and blankets, and make arrangements for any pets, which aren't allowed in the shelters.
Experts also recommend that you create a family disaster plan, including emergency supplies. These should include:
- a portable radio with extra batteries so you can get media reports even if the power goes out.
- a flashlight and extra batteries.
- plenty of non-perishable foods such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, canned juices and, if necessary, baby foods.
- a first-aid kit that includes sterile gloves, sterile dressings, soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages, and eye wash solution.
- a non-electric can opener.
- at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day.
- a bathtub full of non-drinking water that can be used for bathing, cleaning and flushing toilets.
- prescription eyeglasses and necessary medications such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers and prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies. (Remember pharmacies may be closed or without power, so keep an extra supply on hand.)
Beyond making sure you have emergency supplies, you should take other steps to ensure safety.
Outdoors, be sure to secure items that could easily take flight, becoming dangerous projectiles, such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
"Hurricane winds can turn cars over, so they can obviously blow your lawn furniture away," said David Paulison, director of preparedness for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "Major injuries and deaths we have from hurricanes and tornadoes are from flying debris."
If you stay inside your home, precisely where to go would depend on conditions, said Suzanne Hogan, a Red Cross disaster relief worker. For example, the basement would provide protection from the wind, but might not be the best choice if there's a danger of flooding, she said.
Generally, interior rooms away from windows are safer, but heed the advice of local emergency agencies.
Hogan also said residents should know how to shut off electricity, gas and water if authorities tell them to. Knowing how to do so beforehand could help avoid panic later, she said.
"When something like this [hurricane] comes, there is always that added element of stress, and it is not uncommon for the most clear-headed person to be a little rattled," she said. "Don't wait. That's where preparedness comes in."
And, remember to check in on elderly or disabled neighbors who might not be able to take care of themselves as well as they normally could, Hogan added.
People must also guard against serious post-hurricane dangers.
"There can be more [hurricane-related] deaths after a hurricane than during a hurricane," Paulison said.
In 1992, for example, seven people died in Dade County, Fla., during Hurricane Andrew, but 50 died of hurricane-related accidents after the hurricane, he said. The causes included contact with downed power lines, falls from rooftops, use of chainsaws to clear debris and fires caused by candles, Paulison said.
More information
For more on preparing for a hurricane, visit the American Red Cross or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
