How to prepare for your first Hurricane Season

• Posted by Rebecca J May 24, 2012 - Filed in Other - #travel  #hurricane season  - 748 views

  

  One of the unfortunate consequences that come with traveling to gorgeous tropical locations is the threat of cyclones and hurricanes.  The Atlantic and eastern Pacific hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30 each year, and the Pacific cyclone season runs all year long.  In general, a location’s low season is their rainy (i.e. hurricane or cyclone) season and, therefore, most tourists won’t experience mother’s nature’s wet fury. 

   

  I moved to the Cayman Islands soon after it was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.  As soon as I arrived on island, I started to hear stories from the people who had lived through the storm and its aftermath.  I learned as much as possible in order to better prepare myself and, after living through 5 hurricane seasons, I’ve tweaked my preparation plans to be more efficient.  I started to think of my preparations like I was preparing for a stint on Survivor – just without Jeff Probst and the tribal council.

   

  In the month leading up to the start of rainy season, make a checklist of what you have and what you need. Then slowly start buying supplies so that you don’t need to go on a major shopping trip with thousands of others.  By stocking up beforehand, you can avoid the long lineups and the product shortages. 

   

  I used to keep all my supplies in Rubbermaid containers; they’re waterproof and easy to transport in case you need to move to a shelter.

   

  Items to gather

  1. Water - at least 1 gallon per day per person for 3 to 7 days
  2. Water purification tablets
  3. Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days and should include non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices as well as snack foods (protein bars are great as are bulk packs of trail mix).
  4. Non-electric can opener
  5. Multiple flashlights with plenty of batteries (power can be out for days).
  6. Basic cooking utensils such as pots, pans and wooden spoons.  You’ll also need something to cook food on, such as a butane stove or small bbq.
  7. Paper plates and plastic utensils (you don’t want to waste your limited supply of clean water to wash dishes with).
  8. Clothing including rain gear and sturdy shoes (my driving instructor told me how he had lost a toe by walking through the dirty storm surge in flip flops).
  9. First aid kit including Band-Aids, rubbing alcohol, anti-biotic cream and Benadryl
  10. Mosquito repellant and coils – the insect situation after a storm is horrible
  11. Toiletries and personal hygiene items (including baby wipes which really come in handy for the period of time when there’s no running water).
  12. or weeks).  If possible get a manually powered flashlight for back up.
  13. Candles and waterproof matches
  14. Radio that’s battery or manually operated
  15. Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and credit (if pay as you go)
  16. Cash - banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods and if stores are open, they may not have power for credit card machines.
  17. Keys for everything you need keys for (cars, sheds, home).
  18. Books and games – to keep occupied when there’s no power.
  19. Basic tools such as hammer, nails, screwdriver and pliers

   

  Place all your important documents (insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, passport, social security card, etc.) in a waterproof container or watertight re-sealable plastic bag.

   

  Make sure your vehicle fuel tanks are filled and keep a bike on hand.  It’ll come in handy to travel over debris-filled roads and in case there’s a fuel shortage.

   

  As you’re getting prepared for your first hurricane season, find out where your closest shelter and hospital are located.  Although shelters aren’t fun places to ride out a storm, if your accommodation isn’t sturdy enough to withstand the storm it will be a lifesaver (literally) for you.  On June 1^st I would change my homepage to the National Hurricane Centre to keep up to date of any disturbances forming in the Atlantic. Not as much fun as Facebook but a lot more informative.

   

  During my time in the Caribbean I had several brushes with hurricanes and tropical storms but thankfully no direct hits.  Every December 1 me and my friends would have a potluck party and eat all of our rations to celebrate making it through another season unscathed.