BOOK 6

DISASTERS MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

CHAPTER 12

STORM PREPAREDNESS

F ew people have ever experienced being in the path of a significant storm. Most people in a storm's path will not have prepared for it. Some people may even seek out exposed spots to overtly flaunt their disrespect. In this situation, not using common sense could have serious implications.

You might have to treat serious traumatic injuries in the immediate aftermath if you don't make plans to safeguard yourself and your family. If you lose your shelter, your family could be at risk for heat stroke or hypothermia. Later flooding could contaminate your water sources and put you at risk of contracting dangerous infectious diseases. Major medical issues down the road can be avoided by getting ready to weather the storm safely now.

TORNADO PREPAREDNESS

 

A tornado, sometimes known as a "twister," is an erratically spinning column of air that makes contact with the earth's surface, as well as a thunderstorm (also known as a "supercell") that gave rise to it. When viewed from a distance, tornadoes typically resemble a dark funnel with various flying objects all around it.

Winds from tornadoes can reach speeds of up to 300 mph and move for several miles before losing strength. They will make a roaring noise similar to a passing train and may be followed by hail. It may be frightening.

More tornadoes are reported in the US yearly than in any other nation, at about a thousand. Most of these take place in "Tornado Alley," which comprises the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and surrounding ones. The busiest times are in the spring and early summer.

The trauma caused by all the flying debris tornadoes carry with them usually causes injuries. Large things can be carried by strong winds and thrown around in unbelievable ways. Evidence supports the claim that in 1931, a train weighing 83 tons was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

The importance of having a strategy for your family to endure the storm cannot be overstated, even though certain locations may have sirens or other methods of warning of an impending twister. The best chance of surviving a tornado is to have a strategy before one arrives.

As soon as you spot a tornado funnel, seek safety. Leave if your home is a mobile home! They are particularly susceptible to wind damage. Get inside the nearest tornado shelter-equipped building; underground shelters work best.

Consider building your underground shelter if you live in Tornado Alley. Unlike bunkers and other structures designed for long-term defense, a tornado shelter must offer protection for a brief period. It doesn't need to be extremely big because of this; 8 to 10 square feet per person would be plenty. Despite this, don't forget to consider ventilation, user comfort, and any unique demands.

Find a location where your family can congregate if a tornado is going your way if you don't already have a shelter. The best possibilities are basements, baths, closets, or other interior spaces without windows. Easily broken windows can result from a collision due to flying debris.

Get under a large, robust item, such as a table, for additional protection. You can further insulate yourself by draping a sleeping bag or mattress over your body. Talk about this strategy with every family member or group, so they are familiar with it. The location of the first aid kits and how to use a fire extinguisher should be taught to kids. Teach everyone how to safely cut off the gas and power, if possible.

Drive to a shelter if you have a car and can do so. Although you might be reluctant to leave your car, keep in mind that it can be easily thrown around in strong gusts, so you might be safer in a ditch or somewhere else lower than the road.

In a city, it is acceptable to exit the car and enter a substantial building. However, staying in your automobile will shield you from some of the flying debris if there isn't any other shelter. Put your head down below the level of the windows, fasten your seatbelt, and cover yourself if possible.

Avoid the woodland areas if you are on a hike and are caught outside when the tornado strikes. An open field or ditch may be safer since torn branches, and debris turn into missiles. You can gain some protection by lying flat in a low-ground area. If possible, cover your head, even if it's simply with your hands.

 

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

 

A hurricane is a powerful tropical storm with consistently 74 mph or higher winds. Hurricanes frequently wreak havoc on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico in the United States, costing billions of dollars in damage. In contrast to tornadoes, which can appear rapidly, hurricanes are usually discovered hundreds or even thousands of miles distant. We can keep an eye on their progress and get a decent notion of how much time we have to prepare.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to rank the severity of hurricanes. Higher-category storms, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, may result in tremendous destruction and fatalities. You must put together a plan of action to effectively handle key issues like housing, food, power, and other necessities.

Additionally, you might need to decide whether to evacuate. Contrary to certain disaster scenarios, if you get a good enough head start, you can escape one of these storms.

Rising waters (storm surge) may be enough reason to flee if you live near the shore or in a flood-prone location. In many circumstances, the authorities will issue an evacuation order. A municipality will frequently designate a public building in your neighborhood as a designated shelter that is hurricane-resistant.

If you venture out of town, aim to travel as far inland as possible. The warm water temperatures over the tropical ocean give hurricanes their strength; once they cross land, they swiftly lose that intensity.

In any case, be prepared with your supplies. Be prepared to have at least a week's worth of food and water, clothes, and medical supplies. Although most people pack for 72 hours off the grid, that number is somewhat arbitrary.

You ought to be aware of the vulnerabilities in your house. New residences in South Florida must be able to withstand winds of 125 mph because Hurricane Andrew ravaged the region in 1992. But most houses are designed to withstand 90 mph. (74 mph hurricane intensity) You might not be able to rely on the structural integrity of your home if the impending storm has sustained winds higher than that.

If you want to remain, choose a safe room for yourself inside the house. It should be in an area of the house facing the opposite direction of the wind. Make arrangements for any animals you intend to house, and bring all outdoor furniture and potted plants inside or up against the exterior wall, ideally with chains. If you have hurricane shutters, install them. During hurricanes, flying debris can develop into missiles.

Planning inside is as crucial. Have an NOAA weather radio and plenty of fresh batteries if communications are disrupted during a significant storm. Fill up your gas and propane tanks early in every storm because you'll probably lose power.

As the storm draws closer, you should fill bathtubs and other containers with water. Set your freezer and refrigerator to the coolest temperature possible so food won't spoil immediately if the power goes out. Ensure you know how to turn off the gas, water, and power if necessary.

You should be concerned about another type of power, namely purchasing power. After a hurricane, credit card verification may not work, leaving you with no purchasing power if you don't have cash.

After a hurricane, it's typical to lose roof shingles, so keep some waterproof tarps on hand. After a significant storm, repair staff will be busy and might not reach you immediately. After Hurricane Wilma in South Florida in 2005, tarps remained on roofs more than a year later.

Make sure you have novels, board games, and light sources for when the power goes out if you have been holed up in your house during the storm. This will lessen worry and raise spirits. Spend some time in advance talking about the storm; this will give everyone a heads-up on what to anticipate and minimize worry.

Floodwater in inland areas may be contaminated after the storm. This water should not be used for bathing, drinking, or walking. Sterilization must be done completely. Food exposed to floodwater should not be consumed; if unopened food cans have been contaminated, wash them with soap and hot water before opening them.

Additionally, keep an eye out for downed electrical lines because they have been implicated in several electrocutions. When someone has been electrocuted, you should never touch them without first turning off the power; if you cannot do so, you will need to relocate the sufferer. Use a non-metal object, such as a dry rope or a wooden broom handle. If you don't, the current can shock you after passing through the person's body.

 

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

 

Residents of the Gulf or East Coasts of the United States experience hurricanes more frequently, but the West Coast and some regions of the Midwest must also be concerned about earthquakes. A fault line is a crack in a base rock mass close to some populated regions. In this region, seismic waves or motions might release energy that can seriously disturb the surface.

The Richter scale is used to gauge an earthquake's intensity. Daily quakes below 2.0 are possible, although most people won't notice them. The strength multiplies by ten for each rise of 1.0 magnitude. The Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960 had the highest recorded magnitude (9.5 on the Richter scale).

A tsunami (tidal wave) can form if the energy is released offshore. A devastating earthquake (8.9 on the Richter scale) and tsunami struck Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, wreaking havoc, killing people, and causing local nuclear reactors to melt.

Due to the lack of warning, a big earthquake is particularly difficult. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do in the event of an earthquake, no matter where they are. You probably won't all be in the house at the same time unless it happens in the middle of the night.

To be prepared, you will need, at the very least, the following:

       Water and food

       Power sources

       Clothing appropriate to the weather

       Fire extinguishers

       Alternative shelters

       Medical supplies

       Means of communication

       Money (don’t count on debit or credit cards being useful if the power’s down)

       An adjustable wrench to turn off water or gas

Plan where you will meet if there are tremors. Learn about the school system's plan to know where to look for your children during an earthquake. In an emergency, it would be reasonable to at least have some food, water, and a pair of supportive, comfy shoes in your car.

Locating your gas, electric, and main water shutoffs is crucial information. If there is a leak or electrical short, ensure everyone knows how to turn them off. Know the location of the closest medical facility, but be aware that you might be on your own because emergency medical personnel will likely be busy and might not arrive at your location right away.

Look around your home for furnishings that could not be sturdy enough to endure an earthquake, such as chandeliers and bookcases. Large flat-screen TVs are especially prone to falling. Check the shelves in the pantry and kitchen.

What should you do if you feel tremors coming on? Get beneath a table, desk, or another sturdy object if you're inside, or find a hallway inside. Avoid going near the kitchen, shelves, and windows. Avoid attempting to flee while the building is trembling since you could easily fall stairs or be struck by falling debris. Although some advice against doing so, most doorways aren't any sturdy as other building parts.

You can step outside after the initial earthquakes have subsided. Once there, keep a safe distance from anything that could fall on you, such as power lines, chimneys, and other objects.

If you're driving when the earthquake strikes, get out of the way as soon as possible since other drivers might not be as composed as you are. Avoid stopping beneath overpasses, trees, bridges, power lines, or light posts. Don't get out of your car when there are vibrations.

Gas leaks are one thing to watch out for; make sure you don't use your camp stoves, lighters, or matches until you're confident everything is okay. Even a match could start a spark that could cause an explosion. If you shut off the gas, you could consider allowing the utility company to restart it.

Never depend on phone service following a natural disaster. Telephone companies' available lines can handle only 20% of the potential call traffic at any given moment. All of the lines will probably be full. The usage of the wavelength makes texting more likely to be successful than voice communication, which is oddly left out of this.

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