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Emergency preparedness

Preparing for Hurricane Season: Experts Share Essential Tips for Survival

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As hurricane season approaches, it's essential to create a comprehensive emergency plan to ensure everyone's safety. Dr. Dag Shapshak, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and Eddie Coar, director of Emergency Management, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) offer expert advice on how to prepare for severe weather. "The most important step is to plan ahead," Shapshak emphasized, highlighting the importance of knowing evacuation routes, stocking an emergency kit, and having a clear evacuation plan in place.

Key Takeaways:

  • Create an evacuation plan, including knowing your zone, evacuation routes, and a backup destination
  • List essential contacts, including family, emergency services, and utility providers
  • Use backup tools, such as NOAA weather radios, battery-powered or hand-crank radios, and walkie-talkies
  • Involve children in the planning process and pack comfort items to reduce stress
  • Plan for the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, including medical devices and accessibility requirements
  • Include pets in the evacuation plan by packing food, water, medications, a leash or carrier, and vaccination records
  • Prepare for medical needs before the storm hits, including a seven-day supply of prescription medications and copies of medical records
  • Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes when cleaning up, and never use a generator indoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Statistics:

  • A storm is classified as a tropical storm when its sustained surface winds range from 39 to 73 miles per hour
  • Hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson scale, ranging from Category 1 (74-95 mph winds) to Category 5 (157 mph winds or higher)
  • At least a seven-day supply of prescription medications is recommended for household storage
  • In an emergency, texting may be a better option than calling during outages when phone lines are down

Sources:

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
  • Dr. Dag Shapshak, associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UAB
  • Eddie Coar, director of Emergency Management at UAB
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • American Red Cross

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