Severe weather is in full swing here in The Villages, Florida! So it’s time to be alert and pay attention to rapidly changing weather conditions. Severe thunderstorms with lightning, heavy rain, hail, high winds, and even tornadoes are possible during this time of year. Additionally, between June 1st and November 30th, we have to be alert to tropical storms and hurricanes that are forming and pose a threat to the Florida area. We share in-depth preparedness tips as to how seniors should prepare for hurricanes and other severe weather.
HOW SENIORS CAN BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANES
In the United States, lightning kills 300 people and injures around 80 each year. Because of lightning’s unpredictability to injury and destroy property, preparedness is crucial to minimizing harm. Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far away as 10 miles ahead of or after the storm. Most deaths as a result of a lightning strike occur when people are caught outdoors and are unaware of the impending danger. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and produces heavy rain anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. They can occur singly, in clusters or lines.
Additionally, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes; Mother Nature’s most violent weather event. They can appear without warning and can be invisible until dust and debris are picked up and swirled around or a funnel cloud appears.
Damage from severe weather can result in devastating damage to buildings, massive tree damage, downed wires, closed roads and sudden flooding. The aftermath of severe weather can last days, weeks and even months for towns or regions.
As with all disasters, preparedness, monitoring the media and common sense can minimize the danger to you. This article is designed to show you how to protect yourself from hurricanes and severe weather and reduce the dangers to you and your loved ones.
TERMS FORECASTERS USE TO IDENTIFY TYPES OF SEVERE WEATHER
HOW ELDERS NEED TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANES
Seniors are more vulnerable to natural disasters for a variety of reasons that could include physical and/or cognitive impairments, lack of awareness and/or preparedness, lack of a support system, etc.
The resulting statistics from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 included the following:
Drowning (40%), injury and trauma (25%), and heart conditions (11%) were the major causes of death among Louisiana victims. Forty-nine percent of victims were people 75 years old and older.
So, the importance of being prepared for a hurricane or other forms of severe weather is – in our opinion – doubly important for older adults.
Emergency preparedness for seniors is slightly different in that they emphasize three main factors:
PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST FOR SENIORS
Getting prepared is not that complicated. We’ve broken it down into several categories to help you stay organized and to be able to grab and go with what you need if you were to evacuate from your home.
The good news about hurricanes is you typically have days to prepare compared to tornadoes which happen in an instance.
TYPES OF EMERGENCY KITS
The set of emergency kits that we recommend for any type of natural disaster include the following:
First Aid Kit
This kit includes the basic items needed in case of a medical emergency but should additionally include your medication and any medical equipment you are currently using (i.e. oxygen, blood pressure cuff, mobility devices, etc.). If you haven’t already, purchased or create a first-aid kit find out what to include by visiting The American Red Cross website and learn what your first-aid kit should include. Check the kit regularly for expiration dates, and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
Evacuation Kit
This is the bag, typically a backpack you’ll grab when you need to evacuate quickly. It includes items like water, survival foods that have a long shelf life, clothing, a blanket and extra pair of comfortable shoes, shelter (like a tent), light and heat and other items.
Shelter In Place Kit
If you’ll be able to shelter in your home, these supplies will make it easier for you. Make sure you fill up your car with gas as soon as possible in the event you are asked to leave immediately.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE ON HAND IN CASE OF SEVERE WEATHER OR A HURRICANE
1. Bottled Water
Have at least a 3-day supply of water on hand. A good rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day. This supply of water can be used not only for drinking but for sanitation purposes, too.
2. Food
Keep at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food readily available. Think easy-to-prepare foods that require little or no prep work, such as canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and soups. Energy bars, nuts, granola, are also good choices.
3. Manual Can Opener
If you don’t have power, you’ll need one to open your canned food.
4. Flashlight
Should you experience a power failure, a flashlight is a must. Have extra batteries on hand.
5. Battery-powered or Hand – Crank Radio
Even if you own a smartphone, you may lose power during a severe weather situation and will be unable to charge it. Because of this, it’s important to have either a battery-powered or hand-crank radio (for listening to local emergency instructions) or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio receiver (for listening to National Weather Service broadcasts).
6. Money in the Form of Cash
If electricity is down, ATMs and banks will have no way to give you money. Keeping cash on hand ensures you’ll have funds if you need it.
7. Cell Phones with Chargers, Inverter or Solar Charger
You’ll want a way to connect with others if there is cell phone service up and running. Having a solar charger is a good investment particularly if you have to leave your home or you are without power for days.
8. Emergency Lights
You can have flashlights handy but I like these light bulbs below because they automatically come on if the power goes off. They last for 4-5 hours which can give you plenty of time to pull out other emergency lights and they recharge themselves too.
Additional Items to Consider Having On Hand In Case of Severe Weather
• Whistle to signal for help
• Toilet paper
• Pocket knife
• Local maps
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air along with duct tape and plastic sheeting to shelter-in-place
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation if needed.
• Water purification tablets
• Household bleach and medicine dropper – to use as a disinfectant. Dilute nine parts water to one part bleach. To treat water in an emergency, use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color-safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Waterproof matches or regular matches kept in a waterproof container
• Long-Burning candles
• For your personal hygiene, and personal items
• Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels, mess kits, paper and pencils
It doesn’t take much to gather the supplies you need.
My suggestion is to grab a container and put all the items you’ll need into it so that everything will be in one place. Remember to review the contents and update at least every six months so that you know all food is still good to eat, and medications are safe to take.
Pet Kits
If you have the love of a pet – then you will want to care for them as well in case of a hurricane or other emergency. I would recommend to then also have a pet emergency kit available.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST FOR SENIORS
In addition to the kits mentioned above, the following checklist is specifically designed for older adults to help them prepare as much as possible for an oncoming hurricane.
Canes– Pack a folding cane in your evacuation kit just in case. If you have to evacuate and for some reason your cane gets left behind, at least you’ll know you have a back up.
Walker/Wheelchairs – Keep replacement parts on hand. If you live in a remote area and you are using a wheelchair you can consider purchasing an all-terrain wheelchair.
Documents – Keep your important documents in a waterproof document holder. I would also include serial numbers and operation manuals of any medical equipment that you may be using and will continue to need.
Contact List – Many of us currently keep our list of friends, neighbors and family on our phones but I would recommend creating a paper list as well and include it in your documents folder. Don’t forget to grab your free Senior Emergency Toolkit to ensure you have everything you need in one document.
Hearing Aid Batteries – Keep an extra set or two of hearing aid batteries in your emergency kit.
Eyewear – It’s important to keep an extra pair of eyeglasses and sunglasses in your kit.
Evacuation Shelters – A list of evacuation shelters in your area is very important as you may not have the chance to make a list at the last minute. It’s also extremely important if you have pets as not all shelters will accept pets.
Taking into account the needs you have, you should consider signing up for Smart 911, an organization that works to provide you with the most accurate and efficient help during an emergency.
DEVELOP YOUR EVACUATION PLAN
Consider the types of disasters that are most likely to occur in your area. Here in Florida, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding and hurricanes are the most likely threat.
Once you understand your risks, gather the family and develop your plan.
ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES
You might find it strage that we’re starting with alternative resources first, but for seniors particularly seniors who have significant health issues or partners caring for someone with serious medical issues or dementia, knowing these alternative resources is vital to ensuring everyone’s safety when a hurricane or other types of severe weather hits.
We’re huge proponents of preplanning. It’s the number one reason we developed the Senior Emergency Toolkit. You can learn all about preplanning in this in-depth article we wrote.
But, when it comes to preparing for a hurricane or other types of severe weather there are a few additional considerations.
If you live alone and the thought of riding out a hurricane scares you, as it would us, we encourage you to call us so that we can help you relocate to a safe location. Many communities offer short term respite. They are all very different in terms of what they provide, but we know the ins and outs and can help guide you in choosing the most appropriate respite facility to meet your needs.
HURRICANE EMERGENCY PLANNING
Start with an evacuation plan for your home and then determine an evacuation route. Here’s how:
- Draw up a floor plan with two escape routes from each room.
- Establish a place to meet outside the house and have alternate meeting places in the neighborhood.
- Have a full tank of gas, proper clothing, disaster supplies, important documents, and a supply of cash ready to go with you.
- If possible, secure your home as best you can.
- Make sure you have a map of your community with all emergency evacuation routes.
- Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them in the event of a storm.
FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Being separated from your loved ones in an emergency situation can be upsetting and cause fear and panic. It’s essential to include in your emergency planning communication protocols if you are separated from loved ones.
Here are some tips:
• Agree on an out-of-town contact in case local communications are down.
• Make a family contacts’ card for each family member with contact information.
• Program “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contacts in all of your cell phones.
• In an emergency, go to the Red Cross Website, where you can register yourself as safe and also search for family members.
• Sign up for community alert services that will send you instant text or e-mail alerts for local emergencies.
DETERMINE IF YOU SHOULD SHELTER AT HOME OR NOT
In most cases when severe weather strikes, staying at home and taking the necessary precautions will be the best choice possible for you and your family. Always follow the instructions given by emergency personnel. With hurricanes, if you are asked to leave, follow the guidance of local fire and police.
DURING SEVERE WEATHER
1. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
2. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Tornado danger signs included dark, almost greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark, low-lying cloud, or a loud roar, similar to a freight train.
3. Heed shelter or evacuation requests made by officials or announcements on radio/television.
4. Gather family members, bring pets indoors and have your emergency supply kit ready. Stay indoors and limit travel to only necessary trips. Listen to radio/television for updates.
5. During a tornado warning, head indoors to a safe location. Basements, lower floors or interior hallways, bathrooms, closets, rooms are best for shelter.
6. If outdoors with nowhere, to go during a tornado, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. Cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Watch out for flying debris. Never try to outrun a tornado.
7. Close outside doors and window blinds, shades or curtains. Stay away from doors, windows, and exterior walls. Stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.
8. During lightning, seek shelter indoors. Never leave a car during a lightning storm; cars are safe from the inside. Do not seek shelter under a tree; being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties.
9. Do not use wired telephones, touch electrical appliances or use running water. Cordless or cell phones are safe to use.
10. If outdoors, head for shelter indoors or inside a vehicle. If boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and get indoors. Go to a low-lying place away from trees, poles or metal objects. Squat low to the ground. Make sure the place you pick does not flood.
11. Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
12. If it has been raining hard for several hours or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
13. Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet.
AUTO SAFETY TIPS
Plan long trips carefully, listening to the radio or television for the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. If bad weather is forecast, drive only if necessary.
1. Keep your gas tank full in case evacuation is needed. Keep your vehicle maintained and in good working order.
2. Assemble an Emergency Car Kit including a flashlight with extra batteries, basic first-aid kit, necessary medications, pocket knife, booster cables, blanket/sleeping bag, extra clothes (including rain gear, gloves and socks), non-perishable foods, non-electric can opener, basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver), tow rope, a container of water and a brightly colored cloth to serve as a flag.
3. If in a car during a tornado, get out immediately and lay flat in a ditch or low-lying area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge.
Never try to outrun a tornado.
4. Do not drive through a flooded area. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control and possibly stall. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Cars, SUVs and pickup trucks can be swept away in just 2 feet of moving water. Do not drive around road barriers –they are there for a reason.
5. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
AFTER THE STORM HAS PASSED
1. Stay off roads to allow emergency crews to clear roads and provide emergency assistance.
2. Help injured or trapped persons. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury.
3. Use the telephone only for emergencies.
4. Use care around downed power lines. Assume a downed wire is a live wire. Report it to emergency authorities.
5. Watch out for overhead hazards such as broken tree limbs, wires, and other debris. Be cautious walking around.
6. Be aware of children playing outdoors and in the streets, particularly climbing on or running around downed trees and wires. Parents should remind their children to stay away from these hazards.
7. Avoid walking into floodwaters. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewerage, contain downed power lines or animals.
8. Look for hazards such as broken/leaking gas lines, damaged sewage systems, flooded electrical circuits, submerged appliances, and structural damage. Leave the area if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
9. Clean everything that gets wet. For food, medicines and cosmetics; when in doubt, throw it out.
10. Make sure backup generators are well ventilated. Never use grills, generators or camping stoves indoors.
11. Listen to media reports and local authorities about whether your community water supply is safe to drink and other instructions.
12. Make sure gutters and drains are clear for future rain/flood events.
13. Check on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those who may require special assistance.
14. Take photographs/videos of damage as soon as possible. Contact your insurance company to file a claim.
CONCLUSION
Preparedness is not something that is static; it is ever-changing. Putting your plan in place will not only protect your family in the event of severe weather but when other disasters strike.
Take the time to start putting your plan together so you can feel confident your family will have what it needs and be ready for anything life throws your way.
OTHER IMPORTANT ARTICLES
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING BEFORE A CRISIS OCCURS
WHEN DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO MOVE TO ASSISTED LIVING?
And just like you, I’ve been a caregiver.
I share my knowledge and tips to help seniors and families as they navigate the complicated process of senior living options.
- A CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS - August 6, 2024
- THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF SENIOR LIVING - July 23, 2024
- IMPORTANT JULY 4TH SATEFY TIPS FOR THE ELDERLY - June 26, 2024
