Preparing for Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico
Those that lived through the deadly category 5 Hurricane Maria in 2017 and saw the damage and destruction that was done, know that hurricane season is no joke in the Caribbean. Though you cannot prevent a storm from hitting you can minimise the damage done to your property, protect yourself and your loved ones and be prepared for the fallout and recovery process after a hurricane. Hurricane season typically starts in June and ends in November, and more than one can occur in a season causing tremendous damage. Tracking hurricanesKeeping track of storms as they come across the Atlantic is crucial during hurricane season. It is important to familiarise yourself with the categorisation system of storms, ranging from tropical depressions to category 5 hurricanes where the most damage can be sustained. We recommend the following sites for tracking storms: The National Hurricane CentreThe Caribbean Hurricane Network Weather UndergroundIt may also be worth staying up to date via social media by following pages such as @hurricanecentrepr, or @theweatherchannel on Instagram for national and regional updates. It is important to remember that no storm is too small to be wary of, in the hotter summer months tropical storms and depressions can quickly develop into category 5 hurricanes. Taking Stock Prior to each hurricane season it is worth taking stock of the goods that you have in your house that could prove beneficial during a big storm or hurricane. This includes the basics such as toilet paper, non-perishable food and water, but also things such as batteries, gasoline, portable chargers, torches, candles and battery-powered radios (archaic, but useful when cell signals and internet are down). Before the storm hits it is worth stocking up and keeping a supply of these essentials readily available to avoid being part of the pre-hurricane scramble for supplies. It is recommended that there is enough food and drinking water (1 gallon per person or pet per day) in the house to last anywhere from 10 days up to 3 weeks, especially in more remote areas; you can also keep a supply of water purification tablets and water filters. It is also recommended in the lead up to the storm to store excess water in buckets, baths and anything else you have around to allow for the flushing of toilets and bathing. Damage can be sustained to many public services such as water and electricity and roads so access to supplies can be restricted during the recovery period depending on the extent of the damage so having these essentials can be lifesaving. It is also crucial to have a well-equipped first aid kit and hand sanitiser if sanitation and hospital services are affected in the wake of the storm. Battening down the hatchesIt is worth thinking about the structural integrity of your home in the lead up to hurricane season. It is a vital time to ensure there are no leaks in your roof, check things such as hurricane shutters or invest in some form of window covering to prevent from storm damage. Debris and outdoor furniture should be able to be moved indoors or tied down to prevent it from becoming a flying hazard. It may be worth preparing by buying plywood in the lead up to the season to keep protective materials handy to batten down the hatches should a storm be approaching. It is also very important to ensure that your pets are indoors with you when a hurricane hits and that you have measures in place to keep them safe throughout the storm. For those that can afford one, a generator is also a very valuable asset during hurricane season and getting it serviced before the season is crucial! InsuranceThough most do not want to think of their precious homes facing up against the damage of a category 5 storm such as Maria, it is vital to have adequate insurance that protects against hurricane damage, so should the worst occur you can repair the physical structure and replace damaged elements of your home. It is also worth investing in content and car insurance that protects against hurricane damage and flooding as the outcome of these storms is unpredictable. Emergency services and preparing to evacuate Should the worst happen during a hurricane it is worth keeping certain local emergency services and organisations information handy as well as knowing where your nearest shelter is. This information can be found on the FEMA app. You can also sign up to emergency alerts such as The FCC’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the National Weather Service Alerts, so that you know when you should evacuate and seek shelter. It is also important to have quick and easy access to a survival kit or go-bag should you need to evacuate, with spare changes of clothes, necessary medical and personal documents, prescriptions and cash. Real time weather monitoring: http://www.weather.gov/sju/ Here is a list of places to call during an emergency and after:1. State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management 787-724-01242. FEMA 787-296-35003. AEE 787-289-34344. Fire Department 787-343-23305. National Weather Service 787-253-45866. Police 787-343-20207. Red Cross 787-758-81508. AAA 787-521-34349. Department of Family Services 787-294-4900Roadside emergencies:Call these numbers to report landslides and floods affecting roadways800-981-3121800-981-3021 787-977-2200. Emails to report incidents on the road:Derrumbe@DTOP.GOV.PR (landslides)Servilinea@dtop.gov.pr (service line)Inundaciones@dtop.gov.pr (floods)Boquetes@dtop.gov.pr (potholes)Rotulos@dtop.gov.pr (signs)PlanAntiTapon@dtop.gov.pr (traffic jams)Semaforos@dtop.gov.pr (traffic lights)Puerto Rico Government Agency Directory: https://www2.pr.gov/Directorios/Pages/DirectoriodeAgencias.aspx Entertainment Though this may seem trivial, being stuck inside can be tedious at the best of times, but when there is a storm raging, having board games and things to provide entertainment for yourself and your family can be crucial to keeping the peace and providing a distraction for what is going on outside. If you are living with children, it is also important to maintain certain routines to keep them calm and settled throughout the storm.
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