After settling into our new home on Fort Polk in Louisiana last year, we slowly started to make friends with our neighbors who informed us on what to expect since we were new to the area. From the best places to eat out at to the closest shopping malls, they were a plethora of information for us new Southerners, but what they failed to mention to us until we got our first hurricane warning for the base, was about the yearly hurricane season that came along with living in the state.
And, yes, we had heard about Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita that had devastated much of the state, but we figured that since we were nowhere near the Gulf Coast that this was something that we just wouldn't have to worry about, but according to our new friends, we were extremely wrong.
Our neighbors proceeded to tell us about one of the many hurricanes that knocked out the power on the base and forced them all to gather all of their food and have neighborhood wide barbecues every night so their perishable foods wouldn't be wasted. They also informed us of all of the things that we would need to do to prepare for the season which starts on June 1 and goes through November 30. Here are some tips that are good to know and ones that we are glad that we were informed of before ever finding ourselves in a hurricane unprepared.
Things to have to prepare for a hurricane
* Canned food
* Can opener
* 1 gallon of water per person per day should have enough for at least a seven day supply.
* An extra supply of any prescription medication.
* If you have a baby, make sure that you have enough diapers, wipes, and formula if they are formula fed.
* An emergency kit which should have a portable radio, flashlight, batteries, and a first aid kit.
* And most importantly a waterproof container with insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, social security card, and of course cash.
What to do if a hurricane is coming to your area
* Listen to the news for information.
* Secure your home but closing windows and the storm shutters.
* Turn off propane tanks, and utilities.
* Stay indoors away from windows and doors.
* Go to a small room, closet or hallway and lie on the floor underneath a table or other heavy piece of furniture.
This is just basic information on what to have and what to do in a hurricane. So to better prepare your family, go to http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm for more information.
