How Prepared Will You Be?

by Terry Trahan, Jr.

Following the one-two punch of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, Louisiana’s Gulf Coast experienced a hurricane season free of threatening storms in 2009. In fact, the Atlantic’s waters produced only 11 tropical depressions. Nine of the systems morphed into tropical storms, while only three developed into hurricanes.

Forecasters are predicting a different outcome for the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. According to an April 7 report by Dr. William M. Gray, a professor emeritus of atmospheric science, “We continue to foresee above-average activity for the 2010 hurricane season. ... We anticipate an above-average probability of United States and Caribbean major hurricane landfall.”

Dr. Gray bases his predictions on warmer water temperatures in the Atlantic and the weakening of El Niño, an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years. Beyond has a lot to do with the frequency of hurricanes impacting the U.S. coast. El Niño leads to decreased hurricane activity in the Atlantic, producing a quieter season as in 2009. Without El Niño’s presence, the Gulf Coast becomes much more vulnerable.

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to raise forecasters’ eyebrows as well. Experts say that by August, 51 million gallons of oil would have already spewed into the Gulf, and that’s the best-case scenario. They fear that a hurricane preparing to make landfall along the Gulf Coast could turn the water into a surging wall of crude. The oil has already made its way into Louisiana’s marshes. If these first-line defenders wither away, the Coast will face a bigger problem than just attempting to find a way to clean up the mess.

That’s why it’s especially important to be prepared this hurricane season. Here are a few tips that will help to keep you and your family safe if the eye of a storm ever approaches the area:

Family Disaster Plan

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances, the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact so all your family members have a single point of contact.

• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

• Check your insurance coverage—flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.

• Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every six months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and lasts through November. In a season that promises to be an active one, how prepared will you be?