http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/hurricane-evacuations.html Hurricane evacuations are an important part of any hurricane preparedness plan. Do you have options when it comes to hurricane evacuations? en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:00:15 EST Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:00:15 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Heeding Hurricane Evacuations Can Save Your Life When it comes to hurricane preparation, you have to know when to fold and let it all go. It may be hard for some, but in cases like Katrina, mandatory hurricane evacuations are mandatory for a reason--they can save your life! If you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, you may be tired of evacuating every time the threat of a hurricane is looming. You make all the appropriate preparations, only to return home after the fact and see that thankfully, your home is safe and sound. But even though hurricanes are somewhat predictable, they can change speed and direction at any time, which is why hurricane evacuations are so often put into place. Take Hurricane Evacuations Seriously Hurricane evacuations involve far more than packing a suitcase and getting out of town. First of all, you have to pack more than what you would for a vacation or a weekend trip. In addition to prescription medications, clothes and toiletries, you need to be sure to pack food and water, as well as pillows, sleeping bags, maybe even an air mattress. You should also bring your cell phone and a cell phone charger for your car, and pack any and all pictures and important documents, as well as anything of sentimental value that can't be replaced. Packing for hurricane evacuations is in and of itself a chore. With a little preparation, voluntary hurricane evacuations will be easier to handle. Then you have to be sure that your other hurricane preparations are in place. You need to make sure your hurricane shutters are up (if you have them) and make sure most of your electronic equipment is unplugged (in case of a power surge after a power loss) and you might even want to turn the water and power off (in case of flooding). You also need to bring in any outdoor equipment that the wind could pick up and send crashing through someone's window. (Grills, outdoor furniture, playsets, plants, wind chimes, etc.) Before you leave, you want to make sure your car is ready to go, meaning your tires are properly inflated, you have a full tank of gas, and all fluid levels are where they should be. You should also go to the ATM and get plenty of cash. many times, ATMs are down after the storm due to power losses. So as you can see, a lot goes in to hurricane evacuations. It's easy to understand why people stop evacuating after several years of going through all these preparations only to find out it wasn't necessary. But since a hurricane's behavior and force are unpredictable, wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? Look at the people in New Orleans and Mississippi who decided to "brave" Hurricane Katrina. And right now, Hurricane Rita is threatening the Texas coast. Those residents are being warned to evacuate, and hopefully they'll do so. It's bad enough to have to endure the loss of property, but at least if you evacuate, you have your health. That's what hurricane safety is all about. The other things can be replaced. That's what insurance is for. Speaking of insurance, before hurricane season ever starts, make sure you have adequate coverage for your home. Sometimes hurricane insurance isn't enough. You may also need flood insurance. Make sure you know every facet of your coverage so you know what's covered and what isn't. The most helpful thing during hurricane evacuations is to have a plan. That can be difficult depending on the path the hurricane is expected to take. For instance, if you live on the Atlantic coast in Florida, and your parents live on the Gulf coast of Florida, evacuating to their place might seem like a good idea, but if the hurricane is projected to end up there eventually, you could find yourself fighting the storm the whole time, which can turn out to be dangerous. Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:00:15 EST http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/voluntary-hurricane-evacuations.html Voluntary hurricane evacuations are on everyone's minds these days with the brutal hurricane season that has devastated many parts of the Gulf Coast. Early preparation is the key if you want to be safe and ready for voluntary hurricane evacuations in your neck of the woods. en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:55:43 EST Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:55:43 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/mandatory-hurricane-evacuations.html Mandatory hurricane evacuations aren't fun, but they can make a difference. When mandatory hurricane evacuations are issued, follow them. Life is too important. en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:01:40 EST Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:01:40 EST Weblog Editor 2.0