Hurricane Season Preparations

June 1st, marks the start of the hurricane season, and each year, all the experts have make their forecasts for the season. Today, the topic is about power lines, communications, and salvage of property.

In other articles, I focused on making preparations for hurricanes and their aftermath, such as food & water storage, batteries, safety, first aid, portable radios, refrigerated foods, food preparation, etc. (Surviving Hurricanes: Part 1 & Part 2). This advice is still sound. I also gave some insight to the hurricane experience, such as the flooding caused by the torrential rains of Tropical Storm Frances, and the effects of Hurricane Georges, both in the 1998 season. Fortunately, we were spared the devastation like that caused by hurricanes Betsy and Camille, in the mid 1960's.

There is as much danger following a hurricane as there is during one. In addition to the possibility of injury from debris, there is a very real and present danger from fallen power lines. The rule always is: "If there are wires on the ground, assume that they are live, and deadly. Do not touch them!" For some good advice about electrical service and severe weather, check these advisory pages by Cleco.

Communication is also a problem after such a storm. Most telephone lines are strung overhead, and service could be interrupted for days. While more people than ever before have some form of cellular service, it is a worthy consideration if you don't. Even if conventional telephone service is out, cellular systems may still be working. The cells have transmitter and receiver facilities throughout the serviced area, and most have battery back up, and many have standby diesel generators that take over in the event of power failure.

Of course, you will want to make sure that your cellular phone batteries are charged, and have a few spare. Another good piece of equipment to have is the automobile adaptor -- your auto battery has considerable reserve, and can provide a lot of talk time.

If you do go through a hurricane and flooding, not all of your property has to be discarded. I remember that following Betsy, in 1965, people were throwing out appliances that could be salvaged. Of course, if your insurance provides for new replacements, you might want to do that, but if your appliances were not completely submerged, they might be saved.

If you have washers, dryers, refrigerators, AC units, etc., that were in water, open up the access panels, and if it was standing in water, hose off the affected areas, then allow to dry (unplug it first, though). This will prevent corrosion until you can have it properly serviced. Sometimes the damage is merely cosmetic.

In the case or automobiles, you would want to hose down the engine, and drain the fuel and fluids, before having the mechanics check it. Most often, however, the insurer will consider it a loss.