Hurricane Florence: The Destruction and The Dilemma
Hurricane Florence has brought severe destruction to the Carolinas over a 20 day period, leaving many Americans struggling to return to their homes and recover from the damage. A hurricane is a type of cyclone that originates in warm tropical oceans, like the Atlantic and Northern Pacific, and produces strong winds and heavy rain. The categories used to classify the power and destruction of a hurricane range from 1 to 5. Four elements: storm surge, thunderstorms, high winds, and aftermath, are the factors used to determine in which category a hurricane will be placed. A storm surge occurs prior to a hurricane making landfall. These storm surges can trap people in their homes, flood entire communities, and often lead to drowning deaths. Thunderstorms during a hurricane can produce tornadoes and deadly lightning strikes. The high winds of a hurricane can have the ability to pick up cars, and project them into the air. High winds also typically destroy power lines and fuel supplies, making recovery difficult. The aftermath of a hurricane should be considered just as dangerous and destructive as the hurricane itself. Flood waters in the streets and in homes can be contaminated with pollutants and waste, buildings and roadways are often demolished and unstable, making it difficult to clean up, supplies start to dwindle and a lack of clean water, food, and shelter become evident.
Common sense tells us that a hurricane can be fatal if certain procedures, such as evacuation, aren’t followed. Yet people continually decide to remain in their homes to wait the storm out. People who wait in their homes for a hurricane to pass commonly say this is for the protection of the home. Specifically, protection against flooding. Those who don’t have flood insurance think it is possible to protect their homes from flooding by remaining. People also stay in their homes because they feel that they are unable to do otherwise financially. Some have nowhere else to go and no monetary means to support their evacuation. They would rather stay in their homes in harm's way than pay for shelter elsewhere until the storm passes Evacuation can be especially difficult for those with disabilities and pets, as they either cannot or will not leave. In reality, they are placing themselves and their families in harm's way. A house can be rebuilt, can a family?
While disregarding orders to evacuate during a major natural disaster already creates hazardous circumstances, another deadly factor raises the risk of death or injury for those who remain, being unprepared. Now is the time to ask, how can I become prepared? Although ignoring evacuations is dangerous, opinions of others will not stop stubborn homeowners from staying put. If your main priority is to remain in your home, make sure that you will be prepared. Board up windows or cover them with shutters, keep loved ones in the center most area of the residence, and mattresses can be used to protect from airborne debris and roof collapse. Long-term consequences of a hurricane are just as severe and are sometimes even more urgent as the initial storm. Stock emergency food and supplies if you reside in a hurricane-prone region. Non-perishables, batteries, flashlights, medication, sanitizer and first aid materials can be a vital element to healthy survival and recovery.
