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ricki
09-22-2004, 07:45 AM
Good luck getting through the rest of the storm. The most hazardous time may yet be coming after the winds have died down and the recover starts. People have been seriously injured and killed during the aftermath recovery. Some ideas on trying to avoid some of these problems during the recovery follow:

After a Storm -- Important Tips After a Storm

Be careful to take certain precautions after the storm has passed. Damage to your home can have
a dramatic emotional impact, and it's best to have a plan before the storm strikes for how to reenter
your home. Having a plan, and being aware of certain risks, will minimize the threat of harm to you or
your family.

Keep these tips in mind:

Stay turned to local news organizations, such as a radio or television station, for important announcements,
bulletins, and instructions concerning the storm area, medical aid and other forms of assistance, such as food,
water, and shelter.

Remember that you may not have immediate access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews,
and other personnel may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be down, and
people may be trapped and in need of assistance.

Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before
being allowed access to your home/neighborhood.

Avoid driving, as roads may be blocked. Avoid sight-seeing, or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily. You
could be mistaken for a looter.

Avoid downed power lines, even if they look harmless. Avoid metal fences and other metal objects
near downed lines.

DO NOT use matches in a storm ravaged area until all gas lines are checked for leaks. (Keep flashlights
and plenty of batteries at hand.)

Avoid turning the power on at your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional conduct a
thorough inspection first.

Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne bacterial contaminations. You should assume that the water
is not safe and use properly stored water, or boil your tap water.

Consider having professionals/licensed contractors inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This
includes electricians, as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees, and check plumbing.
Remember that downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can be a hazard.



Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage done to your home, before any repairs are attempted.

In certain areas, the flooding rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential
pest problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes, that may have "come with the storm".

Telephone lines will likely be busy in the area; use a phone only for emergencies.

These are just a few ideas to be thinking about before and after a severe storm hits. Remember to keep your
radio tuned to a station issuing emergency bulletins and updates with the latest information.

From: http://www.flash.org/activity.cfm?currentPeril=1&activityID=145


and

Gasoline powered generators and burning of materials (fires, barbeques, etc.) pose a serious threat of carbon monoxide poisoning if placed near or in an enclosed space. There have been fatalities involving guys pressure cleaning outside of buildings but in recessed alcove areas. So, IF you use a generator make sure the exhaust is well outside and being directed away from occuppied enclosed spaces. I did a forensic evaluation some years back involving a CO poisoning fatality. It can sneak up on you, knock you out and take you out with minimal warning.

Then there are the electrical considerations which I won't get into. If in doubt, DON'T DO IT. Get some qualified help to put things together as safely as possible.

More about this at:

Hurricane generator accidents:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=22105

Safe operating tips:

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/generator_safety.shtm

http://www.prepare.org/basic/carbmon.htm

http://www.polkonline.com/stories/082404/loc_poisoning.shtml

MOVE SLOWLY AND THOUGHTFULLY THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THIS STORM AND DURING THE RECOVERY. EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THE MOST HAZARDOUS TIME OF THE STORM MAY BE YET TO COME AFTER THE WINDS HAVE DROPPED.

This following is gruesome but instructive as to things NOT to do after the storm:

http://www.vaemergency.com/newsroom/isabel03/deaths.htm

Take care, think things over carefully before acting.

ricki
09-22-2004, 07:45 AM
Good luck getting through the rest of the storm. The most hazardous time may yet be coming after the winds have died down and the recover starts. People have been seriously injured and killed during the aftermath recovery. Some ideas on trying to avoid some of these problems during the recovery follow:

After a Storm -- Important Tips After a Storm

Be careful to take certain precautions after the storm has passed. Damage to your home can have
a dramatic emotional impact, and it's best to have a plan before the storm strikes for how to reenter
your home. Having a plan, and being aware of certain risks, will minimize the threat of harm to you or
your family.

Keep these tips in mind:

Stay turned to local news organizations, such as a radio or television station, for important announcements,
bulletins, and instructions concerning the storm area, medical aid and other forms of assistance, such as food,
water, and shelter.

Remember that you may not have immediate access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews,
and other personnel may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be down, and
people may be trapped and in need of assistance.

Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before
being allowed access to your home/neighborhood.

Avoid driving, as roads may be blocked. Avoid sight-seeing, or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily. You
could be mistaken for a looter.

Avoid downed power lines, even if they look harmless. Avoid metal fences and other metal objects
near downed lines.

DO NOT use matches in a storm ravaged area until all gas lines are checked for leaks. (Keep flashlights
and plenty of batteries at hand.)

Avoid turning the power on at your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional conduct a
thorough inspection first.

Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne bacterial contaminations. You should assume that the water
is not safe and use properly stored water, or boil your tap water.

Consider having professionals/licensed contractors inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This
includes electricians, as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees, and check plumbing.
Remember that downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can be a hazard.



Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage done to your home, before any repairs are attempted.

In certain areas, the flooding rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential
pest problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes, that may have "come with the storm".

Telephone lines will likely be busy in the area; use a phone only for emergencies.

These are just a few ideas to be thinking about before and after a severe storm hits. Remember to keep your
radio tuned to a station issuing emergency bulletins and updates with the latest information.

From: http://www.flash.org/activity.cfm?currentPeril=1&activityID=145


and

Gasoline powered generators and burning of materials (fires, barbeques, etc.) pose a serious threat of carbon monoxide poisoning if placed near or in an enclosed space. There have been fatalities involving guys pressure cleaning outside of buildings but in recessed alcove areas. So, IF you use a generator make sure the exhaust is well outside and being directed away from occuppied enclosed spaces. I did a forensic evaluation some years back involving a CO poisoning fatality. It can sneak up on you, knock you out and take you out with minimal warning.

Then there are the electrical considerations which I won't get into. If in doubt, DON'T DO IT. Get some qualified help to put things together as safely as possible.

More about this at:

Hurricane generator accidents:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=22105

Safe operating tips:

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/generator_safety.shtm

http://www.prepare.org/basic/carbmon.htm

http://www.polkonline.com/stories/082404/loc_poisoning.shtml

MOVE SLOWLY AND THOUGHTFULLY THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THIS STORM AND DURING THE RECOVERY. EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THE MOST HAZARDOUS TIME OF THE STORM MAY BE YET TO COME AFTER THE WINDS HAVE DROPPED.

This following is gruesome but instructive as to things NOT to do after the storm:

http://www.vaemergency.com/newsroom/isabel03/deaths.htm

Take care, think things over carefully before acting.

ricki
09-22-2004, 07:46 AM
and -



After A Hurricane
Remain indoors until the official “all clear” is given. Continue to monitor television and/or radio on your battery-powered unit. Channel 7 News, 97.3 - The COAST and WPYM 93.1 will be issuing official announcements from the National Hurricane Center and all local officials.

If you have evacuated, do not return home until officials announce your area is ready. Be sure to have proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or a utility bill.

Telephone communication: Do not use your telephone unless you have an emergency. Do not call 911 except for life-threatening situations. Do not report individual interruptions in electric, gas, water or telephone service. These companies have plans to restore service as quickly as possible. However, call police or utility companies to report downed power lines, broken gas or water mains. Report individual trouble only after service has been generally restored to your area.

Boil-water order: Water supplies may be contaminated during a hurricane. The Public Health Department will issue a boil-water order immediately after the hurricane passes. The order will remain in effect for at least 72 hours or longer. During this time, use only your pre-stored, dry or canned food.

Avoid injuries: Many injuries occur after the storm passes. Careless equipment use causes the greatest number of post-storm injuries. Be careful with open flames. Avoid carbon monoxide injuries by using hibachis and gas grills outside, never inside your house. When cutting fallen trees, be extremely careful, especially if you are using a chainsaw. Serious injuries can occur when these powerful machines snap back or when the chain breaks.

Portable power generators: Connecting a portable or recreational vehicle (RV) generator to home wiring can injure utility workers and is a fire hazard. Before using an RV or portable generator, it is important to turn off the electricity at your main circuit breaker or fuse box. Disconnect portable generators before turning on power to your home. A portable generator should be operated OUTSIDE the house (you can then run a heavy duty, properly grounded extension cord to power your electrical appliances).

Electrical safety after a hurricane: Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. A wire that seems harmless could be crossed with a live wire. Treat every power line you see as deadly. Whether it’s on the ground, hanging loose or attached to an object--do not touch it. Stay away from puddles with fallen wires in them. Call FPL immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines.


http://www2.wsvn.com/hurricane/after/

ricki
09-22-2004, 07:46 AM
and -



After A Hurricane
Remain indoors until the official “all clear” is given. Continue to monitor television and/or radio on your battery-powered unit. Channel 7 News, 97.3 - The COAST and WPYM 93.1 will be issuing official announcements from the National Hurricane Center and all local officials.

If you have evacuated, do not return home until officials announce your area is ready. Be sure to have proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or a utility bill.

Telephone communication: Do not use your telephone unless you have an emergency. Do not call 911 except for life-threatening situations. Do not report individual interruptions in electric, gas, water or telephone service. These companies have plans to restore service as quickly as possible. However, call police or utility companies to report downed power lines, broken gas or water mains. Report individual trouble only after service has been generally restored to your area.

Boil-water order: Water supplies may be contaminated during a hurricane. The Public Health Department will issue a boil-water order immediately after the hurricane passes. The order will remain in effect for at least 72 hours or longer. During this time, use only your pre-stored, dry or canned food.

Avoid injuries: Many injuries occur after the storm passes. Careless equipment use causes the greatest number of post-storm injuries. Be careful with open flames. Avoid carbon monoxide injuries by using hibachis and gas grills outside, never inside your house. When cutting fallen trees, be extremely careful, especially if you are using a chainsaw. Serious injuries can occur when these powerful machines snap back or when the chain breaks.

Portable power generators: Connecting a portable or recreational vehicle (RV) generator to home wiring can injure utility workers and is a fire hazard. Before using an RV or portable generator, it is important to turn off the electricity at your main circuit breaker or fuse box. Disconnect portable generators before turning on power to your home. A portable generator should be operated OUTSIDE the house (you can then run a heavy duty, properly grounded extension cord to power your electrical appliances).

Electrical safety after a hurricane: Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. A wire that seems harmless could be crossed with a live wire. Treat every power line you see as deadly. Whether it’s on the ground, hanging loose or attached to an object--do not touch it. Stay away from puddles with fallen wires in them. Call FPL immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines.


http://www2.wsvn.com/hurricane/after/

ricki
09-22-2004, 07:47 AM
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/010853W5.gif
From: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

This image should auto-update as time goes on.

http://www.wunderground.com/data/640x480/2xat_ir_anim.gif
From: http://www.wunderground.com

This one will have to be manually updated.


Good luck to everyone in the path of this thing.

ricki
09-22-2004, 07:47 AM
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT06/refresh/AL0604W5+GIF/010853W5.gif
From: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

This image should auto-update as time goes on.

http://www.wunderground.com/data/640x480/2xat_ir_anim.gif
From: http://www.wunderground.com

This one will have to be manually updated.


Good luck to everyone in the path of this thing.