HURRICANE PROOFING
Other Columnists
For my family, the Big Blackout of 2003 created a sense of
awareness. For about 36 hours in the middle of August, our household was
without electricity.
Luckily, we had about four bags of ice stored in a chest freezer to keep
perishable foods from spoiling. We also had a natural gas grill with a
side-burner on which to cook. We had enough batteries for our portable radios
and flashlights. When night fell, we had a bunch of candles, mostly used for
decoration, to light up indoor rooms.
When power was restored, we found ourselves, at the most, slightly
inconvenienced. But had we been forced to go longer without electricity or if
our natural gas supply had been cut, we might have been in trouble.
Today, we're simply more aware. Ever since then, our family has taken steps
to be more prepared for an emergency, weather or otherwise. We have a stash of
bottled water, batteries and other essentials, like non-perishable foods and a
first-aid kit. Boxes of matches are sealed in a waterproof pouch. And we have
an extra hand-powered can opener in a drawer in the kitchen.
But Richard Rotanz, Nassau County commissioner of emergency management,
says my family is the exception, not the rule.
"You'd think that after Hurricane Katrina and the storms in Florida and in
the Gulf Coast during the past year that people would realize how important it
is to be prepared," Rotanz says, "but that's just not the case."
Last month - and we've heard this warning repeatedly - the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration said a "very active" hurricane season looms for
the North Atlantic. While the region's hurricane season began June 1 and runs
till Nov. 30, the Long Island season, say experts like Rotanz, historically is
from about Aug. 1 to mid-October.
With memories of Katrina etched clearly in their minds, residents along the
Atlantic Coast seemingly have every reason to be better prepared.
Slow to respond
"Really, homeowners seem to have done very little in the way of being
prepared," Rotanz says. At a recent meeting of emergency managers in
Washington, D.C., Rotanz says the discussion centered on how to motivate people
"to get ready."
On the county levels, both Rotanz and Joseph Williams, Suffolk County's
commissioner of emergency management, say their plans have been expanded after
the devastation of Katrina. "The message for individual households is the
same," Williams says. "But the difference is that we're asking people to be
prepared for a longer stretch.
"If Katrina showed us anything, it's that the cavalry always can't get
there in time. In the past, we'd ask people to have food, water and shelter for
48 hours. Now, after Katrina, we're asking people to be self-sufficient for 72
to 96 hours."
Fully equipped shelters
Williams says Suffolk County plans, which are not complete, will include
shelters for people who need life-saving machines, like dialysis, and shelters
for people with pets. "In New Orleans, we'll never really know how many people
stayed behind to be with their pets," Williams says.
In Nassau, like many counties nationwide, pets are not allowed in shelters
for health reasons, including allergies. However, Rotanz says a nonprofit is
working on a shelter for pets. Each county's Web site (www.suffolk countyny.gov
and www.nass aucountyny.gov) has links to information on hurricane
preparation, including shelter locations and evacuation routes. Information at
each site continues to be updated as plans are completed.
Williams says the Suffolk County site should be completed by Aug. 1; Rotanz
says Nassau County's site should be finished by the middle of the August.
In the meantime, households nationwide should take simple steps. "The most
important things are food, water and shelter," Williams says, "but in every
home, there are different concerns."
Five-day minimum
Rotanz says: "I advise that people be prepared to be self-sufficient for at
least five days. You're looking at millions of people who were affected in New
Orleans. In New York, in the event of a disaster, that number is more like
tens of millions.
"Everyone should be asking themselves, 'Am I ready to go four or five days
without power, without contact to the outside world? Do I have copies of
identification, important papers and so on."
Both emergency managers suggest preparing a household plan that includes
contacting an out-of-state family member, storing supplies, ordering medicine
and putting away some extra cash. "Remember, the ATM machine probably won't be
working if power is out," Williams says.
And don't wait, Rotanz says. Stock up now. Create a plan now. "You know
what happens when a storm is forecast," Rotanz says. "Everyone rushes to the
grocery stores, and all the shelves are emptied. People are in a panic."
Williams says: "Katrina forced us to look at the way we do things,"
Williams said. "And in emergency management, that's always important. The day
you think everything is covered is the day you fail.
"But from a residential level, we know people need to be proactive."
And if last year's hurricane season is any indication, preparation is far
more valuable than luck.
PREPARING FOR THE WORST
Emergency experts advise residents to have enough non-perishable food and water
on hand for three to four days. Here's a checklist to help prepare households
for all types of emergencies - including hurricanes:
Utility companies may request that service be shut off. Know the locations
of the shut-off valves for natural gas and water. Also, know how to turn off
the electricity at the service panel. Remember, turning the natural gas valve
back on could be a job for the utility.
Keep fresh batteries readily available for operating transistor radios and
flashlights. Better yet, purchase new, battery-free windup flashlights and
radios.
Gallons of bottled water can be used for sanitary concerns, including
flushing toilets. Stock up with a few gallon-size cases of distilled water and
rotate the supply every two to three months. Smaller bottles are fine for
drinking; larger containers address sanitary and cooking concerns. Before the
storm hits, fill up bathtubs with tap water. A bucket of water from the tub can
be used to flush toilets.
If you have a grill, store an extra container of propane. An extra bag or
two of charcoal is wise for conventional grills.
Keep several bags of ice in the spare freezer. Rotate them often. In the
event of a power outage, ice will help preserve perishable food.
Store and restock a supply of non-perishable food. Items like dried fruit,
jerky, nuts, cereal and protein bars can be rotated monthly. Ready-to-eat
meals, the kind used by the military, are available at sports outlets and
camping specialty stores.
Consider a small gas-powered generator if a family member needs an electric
machine for health reasons. If you purchase a generator, be sure it is
powerful enough to run the machine and that it will run when needed. Like any
small gasoline-powered machine, the generator's engine needs maintenance. Also,
have enough gasoline on hand to operate the generator for three to five days.
Designate an out-of-state family member as a telephone contact. During
emergencies, local phone lines can be jammed but long-distance lines often are
available. Should family members be separated, notifying an out-of-state
contact via long distance can help.
Take a CPR course, just in case someone is injured during a disaster.
Have a working fire extinguisher on hand because gas lines and electric
service panels could be sources of fire.
Create a disaster supplies kit. Depending on need, the kit could have
everything from batteries, flashlights and radios to rope, first-aid supplies
and prescription medicine.
For more tips, go online. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Web
site has a wealth of information on preparing for and dealing with hurricanes.
Visit www.fema.gov and click on the link at the right, "2006 Hurricane Season."
Consider buying flood insurance. Flood insurance is available through about
100 insurance companies in more than 21,000 communities nationwide.
Information is available at the National Flood Insurance Program Web site,
www.floodsmart.gov or by calling 800-427-2419.
Understand the risks. The National Hurricane Center has the NOAA's full
report on the North Atlantic hurricane season. Read it - and track stormy
weather - at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
- GARY DYMSKI
NEW REMODELING RULES
In 2003, Long Island officially entered the "high wind" category. That January,
the revised state building code went into full effect.
The code, which covers new construction and remodeling, placed Long Island
in a wind category similar to that of hurricane-ravaged areas like the Gulf of
Mexico, the Carolinas and Florida. The code increased requirements for energy
efficiency and safety, particularly in regards to windows and rooftops.
In eastern Suffolk County (see map), that means homes should be able to
withstand wind-load ratings of 120 mph. The 120-mph zone also includes all Long
Island residences within one mile of the coast line. For the rest of Nassau
County and western Suffolk County, the wind-load requirements are 110 mph.
The ratings mean that new and remodeled buildings should have new windows
that are "impact resistant," with glass that can stop projectiles traveling up
to 40- to 50 feet per second. Also, roof trusses on new construction are to be
fastened with special straps to resist being ripped off by high winds.
The ratings don't affect existing homes, but it can make residents of older
homes wonder what they can do to make their structures more durable. First,
most eastern Suffolk and coastal communities require that, in the event of a
hurricane, residents are able to install plywood shutters over their windows.
Another alternative to impact-resistant windows are special "roll-down" metal
shutters.
In most cases, it is difficult to retrofit "hurricane straps" on roof
trusses and rafters. However, there are instances, especially during
remodeling, where it can be done.
The National Hurricane Center's Web site features a 35-page brochure, "Is
Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster? A Homeowner's Guide to Hurricane
Retrofit." Download it at www.nhc.noaa .gov/HAW2/pdf/hurricane_retrofit .pdf.
With a population of nearly 3 million, evacuating even parts of Long Island
would be extremely difficult. But in the event of a hurricane, some evacuation
is likely, says Richard Rotanz, Nassau County's commissioner of emergency
management.
"In the event of flooding and danger, people would be evacuated from areas
to shelters located on higher ground," Rotanz said.
Joe Williams, Suffolk County's commissioner of emergency management, has
similar plans. "Up to 36 hours before the storm hits, we would be looking to
move people from defined flood areas into shelters," he says.
The American Red Cross plans to set up 12 evacuation centers in Nassau
County and 14 in Suffolk.
GARY DYMSKI
Wind resistant
New construction and remodeled homes on Long Island are now required to
withstand winds of 110 mph or higher, depending on location.
110 mph: All of Nassau County, Suffolk County towns of Babylon, Brookhaven,
Huntington, Islip, Smithtown and Riverhead
120 mph: Towns of East Hampton, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold.
Islandwide, all homes within one mile of coast.
