Orlando, Florida Fire Department Pre-storm Hurricane Training Unit

Chapter 6, Part 2: Before a Disaster

YOUR HOME

During a hurricane, homes may be damaged or destroyed by high winds and if you live near the coast, high waves. Flying debris can break windows and doors, allowing high winds inside the home. In extreme storms, such as Hurricane Andrew, the force of the wind alone can cause weak places to fail in your home.

After Hurricane Andrew, a team of experts examined homes that had failed and ones that had survived. They found four areas that should be checked for weakness; the roof, windows, doors and if you have one, a garage door. The improvements to your home are relatively low cost for the protection they provide and could someday save your home.

THE ROOF

During a hurricane the force of the wind literally pushes against the outside of your home. This force is transferred from the roof through the outside walls and eventually to the foundation. If this energy is not properly transferred to the foundation the force of the winds can cause your house to be severely damaged if not destroyed.

The first thing to do, in determining if your home should be strengthened, is to understand what type of construction techniques were used to build your home. Homes with gabled ends are more likely to suffer damage during a hurricane. A gabled roof looks like a large "A" at each end, with the outside wall going to the top of the roof. The end walls of your home will take a beating during a hurricane, if those gabled ends are not properly braced they can collapse, causing major damage to your roof.

Truss Bracing - Most houses now are built with manufactured trusses. Plywood is placed on top of these trusses and fastened with staples or nails. Roofing material is placed on top of the plywood. This may not be enough to keep your roof in place. Placing additional bracing using 2x4's the length of your roof can go a long way in strengthening your roof.

Gable End Bracing - Gable ends can also be strengthened with the addition of 2x4's in an "X" pattern at each end of the house. These 2x4's give the tall gable ends more strength to stand up to the pressures created by the hurricane winds.

Hurricane Straps - Hurricane straps are metal bands attached to the trusses in your roof and the walls of your house. They are designed to strengthen the wall to roof connection. No matter what design your roof is, the addition of hurricane straps can strengthen your home. Many houses have been built using them, but if yours does not have them they should be added. It is difficult to retrofit a home so the homeowner may have to hire someone to do this job.

EXTERIOR DOORS AND WINDOWS

Double Entry Doors - Double entry doors need to be strengthened against the force of the storm. The addition of a bolt system at the top and bottom of the door will strengthen this entry point, as well as provide additional security under normal conditions.

Double-Wide Garage - Double wide garage doors are particularly vulnerable to the hurricane force winds. Their wide surface to the wind make them a weak point into the house. If they give way the wind will be in the house and under the roof. It is very difficult for a home to withstand the forces of a hurricane once they are inside the home.

Some counties have laws requiring garage doors be built strong enough to withstand high winds. Others will need to be retro-fitted. There are some retrofit kits for garage doors available. If you have a garage door check into the need for strengthening it.

Storm Shutters - Installing storm shutters over all exposed windows and other glass surfaces is one of the simplest and easiest ways to protect your home. You should cover all windows, French doors, sliding glass doors and skylights. These shutters could be commercially available shutters or they can be fashioned from plywood and stored until the need arises.

There are a number of different types of shutters a homeowner can install.

Accordion Shutters mount on the inside of the window frame. They slide out to cover the window and provide protection when needed. Otherwise they are stored out of the way against the window facing. They are easily deployed in a few minutes and require no storage. They cost about $350 dollars per window or $400 for a sliding glass door.

Aluminum Awnings are mounted on the outside of the house above the window or door. They provide protective shade for the house when not used as storm protection. When they are deployed for a storm, the two support rods are released and the awning is lowered and bolted down. The awning completely covers the window once bolted into place. Aluminum awnings cost about $150 to $200 per window. A sliding glass door would cost between $400 and $500 to protect.

Bahama Shutters are large louvered panels attached just above the window and held away from the house by two support rods. The shutters are permanently mounted to the side of the house. When a storm threatens the support rods are removed and the louvered panels are lowered and attached to the house. Bahama shutters can not be used to protect sliding glass doors. They cost approximately $350 per window to install.

Colonial Shutters flank a window, one on either side. Many times they are used only for decoration. When used for protection they are hinged and will swing inward to close and protect the window with a reinforcing bar supporting them. Colonial shutters will cost about $350 per window and $400 for each sliding glass door.

Hurricane Panels are either aluminum or steel panels that are stored until a storm threatens. The panels are removed from storage and slide into place on permanent tracks fastened to the walls above and below the window or door to be protected. They cost about $100 per window and about $300 per sliding glass door.

Roll Down Shutters are mounted in a box permanently attached to the house above each window and door. Using a hand crank or electric motor the shutters of plastic or steel are lowered into place and anchored down for protection. Roll down shutters cost between $700 to $875 per window and $800 to $975 per sliding glass door.

Plywood Shutters can provide good protection for your home but the plywood should be bought, cut and stored long before a hurricane watch or warning. Cut the wood to fit each window and sliding glass door you wish to protect. Then label that sheet of plywood with the name of the specific window or door so there will be no confusion in the rush to put them up. Drill corresponding holes in the plywood and walls where the wood will be placed on the house. Use lead sleeve anchors for each hole, not plastic. When the plywood is attached to the wall use screws at least 2" long.

AROUND YOUR HOUSE

Trimming trees should be done long before a hurricane watch or warning is ever issued. Never try to trim your trees after a watch or warning has been issued - it is too late. The removal of the trimmed branches will be difficult since trash pick-up will probably be suspended. So trim all trees in advance of hurricane season.

Untrimmed trees present the winds of a hurricane or tornado with a perfect "umbrella" of branches that will catch the winds and topple the tree. The wind, as it moves through the untrimmed tree, will be caught and held by the these branches allowing the tree to be uprooted.

The purpose of trimming trees around your house is to create channels for the wind to move through the tree more easily. The tree should be trimmed from the center to the outside. This prevents trimming too much from the tree and causing "hat-racking". Hat-racking happens when too many branches have been trimmed from the tree and the new growth forms dense foliage at the top of the tree, making it more susceptible to high winds.

Loose items around the yard can become "unguided missiles". Yard furniture, trash cans, potted plants, toys, bikes, and the like can all become airborne at some windspeed - make sure all these items are picked up well before the wind fields from the storm arrive.

The utility room contains a number of hazards you may not think about. Certain chemicals that you normally store together may become especially dangerous if allowed to be mixed. Simple things like bleach and ammonia can create deadly gases if their containers are broken when they are stored together. Try and determine some ways you can store your lawn and household chemicals safely.

LOCATE HAZARDS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Storm Drains and Manhole Covers - Locate these and map them the best you can, heavy rains that cause street flooding can make killers out of these two items. If water in the street covers the storm drains before they become full, the force of the water trying to get into the drain can pull a person under and hold them there. This situation is especially critical with children, so don't let children play in flooded streets.

Once the drains are full, the manhole cover is in danger of floating out of position, thereby creating a "man trap". Accidentally falling into a manhole could at least seriously injure a person, and drown a child.

Broken Water Mains - Create a hazard most people don't think about. As the ground becomes more saturated with rain, it creates a difference in ground pressure around water mains and can cause them to break in weak spots. If they fail while still pressurized, the force of the water can create a large water-filled crater that becomes not only a "man trap", but a trap for vehicles as well. If the street is flooded, you will not be able to tell if this crater exists. If you must negotiate flooded streets, you need to carry a long pole or stick with you in order to "feel" the consistency of the roadway. If you find one of these craters, mark it's boundaries in some way or post a "guard" to warn others of its existence and danger.

Ditches, Canals, and Retention Ponds - Map these also. Not only do they provide a drowning hazard, but snakes and animals frequent these locations.

Power Poles, Guide Wires and High Energy Equipment Locations - You will always want to consider wires hanging from power poles as energized. Mapping them in advance may help you determine some of the problems you could face if the wind brought them down.

Street lights with underground wiring may seem harmless, but the wind can take them down and expose the underground power lines.

Guide wires, whether they be attached to power poles or a large antenna, should be considered a potential hazard. If they became energized, they would become extremely dangerous when water is standing where they are attached to the ground. If they are broken, they can become deadly whips when the wind is gusting.

Many neighborhoods as well as office buildings have large transformer units sitting out in the open. They are used to regulate power to a specific area of a neighborhood or building. Consider these extremely dangerous even if the power is out; sometimes they will act like "capacitors" and hold energy until a means of "discharge" is found. Children playing near these could be in grave danger.

Remember, if equipment looks like it uses a lot of electricity - CONSIDER IT DEADLY!!

EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE VALUABLE

There are a number of pieces of equipment that can be purchased long before a storm warning or watch is issued that can be invaluable to your family during a disaster. This equipment can be expensive and each individual will have to decide if they can afford to purchase it before a storm approaches.

Generators - Even if a storm weaker than Hurricane Andrew makes landfall, you and your family can be without electricity for weeks. Hurricane Hugo initially made landfall on the coast of North Carolina, but devastated Charlotte, which is over 150 miles inland. Portions of that city were without electricity for up to 3 weeks.

Generators can make the biggest difference in providing a comfortable environment for your family. They can provide power to a few appliances or provide enough electricity to run your entire home depending on the size unit purchased.

Prices range from approximately $200 for a 750 watt unit that will run a few light bulbs to $2000 for a 8,000 watt unit that will run your entire house. A unit that provides about 4000 watts of power will be enough to run a small air conditioner, refrigerator, TV and some lights. You will need a number of heavy duty outdoor extension cords to run the power through your home. Never hook the generator up to run power through the house's electrical system. This could electrocute repair crews or cause a fire. The generator should have a gas tank that can handle at least 5 gallons of gas. It will take about 5 gallons of gas to run the generator an average 24 hour period.

Gas Grills - Unless your home is equipped with gas for cooking, a long power outage could leave you without means to prepare hot meals for your family. A grill is essential if you are to survive with some degree of comfort. If you do not have one, a grill is a purchase which should be considered.

Grills can range from a large elaborate cookout grill to a small charcoal grill used on the beach. Their price ranges from a few dollars for a small charcoal stove to hundreds of dollars for a large gas grill. Whatever model you choose, understand that after a disaster this will be the primary means of preparing all of your "hot" meals.

No matter what your choice never use any type of hot grill inside your home. A charcoal grill produces carbon dioxide as it burns. A carbon dioxide build up in your home will eventually kill you. Since carbon dioxide is colorless and odorless you could be in danger and never know it. In addition, using a gas grill inside is dangerous too because of the possibility of a fire or explosion.

Camping Stoves - Camping stoves are a real alternative to using a gas or charcoal grill. They can be bought in a number of sizes. They run off small propane tanks that can be purchased at many department and camping stores. They are generally easy to use and easily stored. If you have never owned one, however, and you choose to purchase one just prior to a storm, make sure you practice with it some before having to use it.

The biggest drawback is their size. They are small and it will take longer to cook for a whole family. But for those not interested in purchasing a gas or charcoal grill these small stoves will do quite nicely. Camping stoves generally cost about $50 to $60.

Again, never use these stoves inside your home. They too can cause an explosion or fire if left unattended.

Chain Saws - Chain saws have proven to be invaluable after a storm for clearing debris and making one's home more livable. But chain saws are very dangerous. Unless you know how to use them they can cause serious injuries. More people are killed and injured by chain saws after hurricanes than during some storms.

Small saws start at around $100. If you purchase one, be sure that it is at least in the 12" to 14" category. This should last you for about 2 to 3 days of steady cutting. If you do purchase a chain saw be sure to go ahead and purchase an additional chain for about $8. This will give you extended cutting time.

Tents - If your house is heavily damaged, you and your family will need a place to live until temporary repairs or housing can be arranged. Tents provide a good alternative to public shelters. Tents provide privacy and a sense of ones own space that a shelter will not. In addition, having a tent will allow you and your family to stay near your home for protection and access to articles and possessions in your home that can make your lives a little easier.

Tents can provide you with some reasonable shelter that is dry and out of the elements until you can repair your home or find temporary housing. Tents come in various sizes, from small backpacking styles to large family style tents that can hold up to 10 people.

For a normal family of four, a six or eight man tent will be more than sufficient. This will allow you each a place to sleep and a little bit of room for sitting and moving around. Consider purchasing another tent of equal or smaller size for the storage of food, clothing or other items. There will be room in the 6 or 8 man tent only for sleeping, you will need an additional tent for storage.

Portable Toilets - If the storm does enough damage to nearby water and or sewer lines you will lose your sewage service. Often times trees will be uprooted by high winds and the root system can cause damage to underground mains. This opens the door to any number of diseases or illness that can thrive in this type of environment. Portable toilets address this problem directly.

Camping toilets have a seat and a tank or bag to hold the waste. They range in price from $60 to $150 and can be purchased at camping and department stores.

Tarpaulins - Tarps or Visqueen are handy for protecting valuables in your home or making temporary repairs to your home. A 30 by 60 tarp will cost about $80. A roll of heavy-gauge Visqueen, 6 mils thick, costs $10 for a 250 square foot roll.

Visqueen is the most versatile material to have. It can be used both for temporary repairs and for protection of your valuables. By adding a couple of tent poles, some rope and stakes Visqueen can be used to fashion a temporary shelter. Spreading it on the ground under your tent or living area can give you a clean floor and protection for your tent. You may, however, need to double it up to keep the tent poles from tearing it.

Roofing paper - A roll of roofing paper with a self adhesive strips can be used for temporary roof repairs. If properly installed this repair can last for months. The problem is it is sometimes difficult for novices to properly apply the paper. So, purchase with caution, or ask somebody with the experience to help, if you do not know how to use the paper.

Television - What does television have to do with taking care of your family? The media is going to be your best link to disaster relief supplies and information for some time after a storm. The local media, as soon as it can get back on the air, is going to provide you with information on everything from where to get ice, to where to apply for a disaster loan.

In addition, it may help to entertain children during long, hot, powerless nights. A battery powered black and white TV will cost under a hundred dollars. Consider this addition to your survival cache.

Cellular Phone - After a storm, cell phones may be your only link to the outside world. Cell phones were the only form of communication after Andrew that continued to work. The frequencies these phones use will be very busy after the storm but they will allow you a link to what is left of the communities infra-structure after a catastrophe. The real cost is the monthly maintenance and usage bill, so the real price of a cell phone can range widely. Be careful and shop wisely.

CB or Ham Radio - Both CB and Ham radio operators are famous for helping with communication after a storm. Having your own radio communication can provide your family and your CERT team with a real resource after a storm. Again prices vary widely depending on the level of interest in the equipment. Take your time do some research before making any buying decision. In addition, Ham radios require a license and some study in order to use one. So check into the usage requirements before you purchase either of these items.

THE HUMAN SIDE OF THINGS

Children - Long before a storm threatens children should understand what a hurricane is and how it will effect them. If you leave this until the last hours before the storm it could panic a child. So you want to educate your children about hurricanes in general.

Explain to them that a hurricane is a huge rainy, windstorm. One that will cause a lot of damage but one that can be easily survived if precautions are taken before it hits. The more children know about storms the more confident they will be. Don't get too detailed in your explanation. Simply explain the effects they can expect to see from the storm. Tell then it could leave their house without water or electricity.

Use a map to show where hurricanes are formed and where the child lives in relation to that area. Explain the vast distances between those two points. Tell them how a hurricane will effect their lives, i.e. schools might close, no electricity, they may have to eat different foods, or trees might fall over. The more you prepare them for the storm the better able they will be to handle the effects.

Allow them to help you prepare your first-aid kits, storm supplies, etc. This hands on helping will go a long way to alleviating their fears. Teach them that hurricanes have been a part of Florida's history and is a natural phenomenon that will eventually happen if they live in Florida long enough.

Special Needs - The frail elderly, people with particular medical problems that may need a caregiver to perform daily tasks, and people with handicaps must make special plans for their safety long before a hurricane even forms. Contact and register with your local Emergency Management office. Find out if that agency provides transportation to shelters when a hurricane is imminent.

Those who have the following conditions should consider taking special precautions:

Remember, the definition of a disaster is when local emergency services are overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate services. Anyone with one of these conditions could be on their own for days or a week at a time.

If you or members of your family require any type of life support that uses electricity register with your local Emergency Management office regardless of where you live. That office can provide direct assistance during a threat. This assistance can include warning of an evacuation, help in leaving home and transportation of needed equipment with you or your family member. Prepare a safety kit to take with you when you move to a shelter. Include in this kit:

PETS

When a hurricane watch or warning has been issued it is not the time to be thinking about what you will be doing with your pets. Pets will not be allowed into shelters because of the health hazard. You must either have a place for your pet to be housed or be able to take your pet with you if you are not going to a shelter. Call your veterinarian and ask if they will board your pet during a hurricane. Many of them will, but have specific requirements before they will accept your pet, e.g. vaccination records.

If your vet does not provide boarding during a storm, then contact your local Humane Society; they will sometimes provide shelter. Get identification tags for you pet. Many pets are lost when they become separated with no way of determining their owner.

Consider purchasing a portable carrier for your pet. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up in, yet small enough for you to be able to easily transport. If you plan to leave the area, and go to friends or family out of the path of the hurricane, you will need something to transport your pet in safely.

If you own livestock now is the time to decide what you plan to do with them. Some experts feel it is best to leave them in a pasture. Others feel it is best to place them in a stable, barn or shed. You need to make the decision about your livestock and make arrangements for them long before a hurricane develops.

VALUABLES AND RECORDS

Keep an inventory of those items in your home that you consider valuable. This could include everything from your personal computer or TV to family heirlooms. If you have an inventory, you will be able to use it as a checklist if you know a storm is approaching, to make sure you take the proper precautions to protect these items.

Try to keep your important records in one general location. This will keep you from spending a lot of time trying to figure out where everything is when you will need that time for other preparatory measures.

THE BIG DECISION - EVACUATION

The big decision that has to be made now is if you are going to evacuate or not if a Hurricane Warning is issued for your area. This is a decision that has to be made whether you live on the coast or not. Some types of housing, such as manufactured and mobile homes will require evacuation even if they are located inland.

Evacuation zones along the coast will be initiated according to the severity of the storm. Know if you are in an evacuation zone then listen carefully to bulletins from your local emergency management agency.

Others who live inland but are not in an evacuation zone should consider evacuation. Those with chronic illnesses and depend on devices for care, e.g. those on home oxygen. Those who depend on daily medications to survive. Those with small children. Those who have difficulty taking care of themselves without outside help because of age or physical handicaps. All of these people should consider evacuation outside of the path of the storm.

Remember, after a hurricane, even if you live inland there is a good chance you will have no power, no water, no sewage facilities, no telephone and your home may be damaged. If you can not solve these problems or deal with them without outside help you might strongly consider evacuation. In the days and weeks following a major hurricane, life may be difficult at best. For those needing additional help to survive, a major storm can be life threatening.

The decision of whether to evacuate to friends or family homes or to a public shelter must be planned for. You have 24 to 36 hours before a Hurricane Warning is issued. If you know you are going to evacuate, watch the Weather Channel regularly, an early departure will keep you out of the traffic jam that will occur when everybody else decides to leave.

This is a very personal decision. One that has to be made by you and you alone. Whatever the decision you make, you might have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life. Please take some time and be deliberate in your decision making. Look at yourself and your resources honestly. Do not let pride or other emotions make the decision for you. Hurricanes have a way of humbling even the strongest among us.

Remember, regular shelters will not be able to take care of people with special medical needs. They are simply shelters, not medical care facilities. Some counties may set up special shelters staffed by physicians and nurses for people with special needs. Find out from your local emergency management agency if they have Special Needs shelters and what you have to do to get to one.