Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

COASTNOTES
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
ven if you’ve never experienced a hurricane firsthand, chances are you’ve seen photos and videos of the destruction they
can bring. These storms are known for their flooding, storm surges, high winds and even tornadoes and are ranked by categories from one to five.
Emergency Kit
Supplies
•Water: one gallon per person, per day
•Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items
•Flashlight
•Battery-powered or hand- crank radio
•Extra batteries
•First aid kit
•Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
•Multi-purpose tool
•Sanitation and personal hygiene items
•Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
•Cell phone with chargers
•Family and emergency contact information
•Extra cash •Emergency blanket •Map(s) of the area
•Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
•Baby supplies (bottles) formula, baby food, diapers)
•Games and activities for children
•Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
•Two-way radios
•Extra set of car keys and house keys
•Manual can opener
National Hurricane Center www.nhc.noaa.gov
So if tornadoes can occur during
a hurricane, what’s the difference between the two? “Unlike tornadoes, with a hurricane you have time to prepare,” said Nicole Faulk, Vice President of Customer Services Organization at Mississippi Power. “Often times, we know well in advance when a hurricane is headed our way and can monitor it as it’s developing.”
Another key difference between the two storms is their longevity. While both are marked by high winds and typically occur in conjunction with severe weather and thunderstorms, tornadoes have relatively short lifetimes, sometimes lasting for only minutes, whereas hurricanes form in warm water and can travel thousands of miles over the course of several days before even making landfall.
Spanning from June to November, hurricane season is an important
time for the Gulf Coast in terms of preparedness. It’s important to have your supplies ready before the storm arrives and outline your storm plans so that you’ll not only be prepared, but your family and friends will also be aware of your plans in case of loss of
communication. If you have pets, you’ll want to factor their care into your plans as well.
“We always say, ‘plan now while the sun is out,’” Faulk said. “It’s important to know in advance if you’re in a flood zone and whether you plan to evacuate or not. Many times it’s good to set up
a threshold, such as deciding to stay as long as the storm is below a Category 3 hurricane.”
Whether you plan to stay or evacuate in the event of a storm, having a disaster kit is a must. “It’s good to be prepared for any emergency, hurricane or otherwise,” Faulk said. “You’ll need water, food, medicine and any other supplies you might need. Also consider where your important documents and photos are located in your house so that you can quickly and easily access them.”
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit www.redcross. org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for- emergencies/types-of-emergencies/ hurricane. There, you’ll find valuable information on what to do before, during and after a storm.
Harrison County
www.co.harrison.ms.us 228.865.4002
Hancock County
www.hancockcounty.ms.gov 228.255.0942
Jackson County
www.co.jackson.ms.us 228.769.3111
18 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2019
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