Following Up on Hurricane Laura

By -
The situation in western Louisiana is dire. 

 “We have a major feeding operation going, it’s been a slow process actually getting that started just because there’s no resources here,” explains Captain Trey Jones, Incident Commander of the [Salvation Army's] Lake Charles response." From KPLC TV. [emphasis added]

Please donate to the Salvation Army or other reputable charity (I do not recommend the Red Cross) that is focused on Laura response. The red link will take you directly to the Salvation Army's Laura response donation page.

On the sixth day, about 600,000 people were still without power. There will be people without power for at least another week.

Meteorologists are talking about the fact that more than half of the fatalities attributed to Laura are from carbon dioxide poisoning rather than as a direct result of the storm itself.
Via Twitter, click to enlarge
We feel a sense of frustration because this is a known cause of deaths in the aftermath of hurricanes and we don't know how to solve this problem. Below is an excerpt from the safety suggestions on this
blog 36 hours before Laura's landfall. The National Weather Service and others were providing similar advice.

I also wish to comment on the wisdom of evacuating when a major hurricane approaches:  From multiple reports, Lake Charles and surrounding areas still have no water and no power. Food was in very short supply, although that situation has improved. While I fully understand the attachment to one's home, leaving reduces the human suffering and it makes for one less family to draw upon the first responders' limited initial resources.

By leaving, you could purchase fresh clothes, food and water and bring them with you when you return.

I bring this up because we are at the height of the 2020 hurricane season and the United States may have one or more additional landfalls. We would hate for more people to lose their lives
unnecessarily if additional hurricanes occur.

So, since things area calm near the USA at this time, I'm going to provide my list of hurricane preparation information for you to review print out for future reference if you live near the Gulf or Atlantic coasts.
  • Make a hotel/motel reservation well inland. There is no point to getting on the road and finding everything already sold out. Be sure and cancel if you do not need the room. A hotel or motel should be well inland and outside of the forecast path of the hurricane. 
  • Make provisions for infirm friends/relatives well in advance. 
  • Get prescriptions filled before you evacuate. 
  • Visit the ATM to make sure you have adequate cash for a week on the road. 
  • Put an app like AccuWeather's on your smartphone. It will keep track of your location and automatically provide the latest emergency warnings as you are on the go. 
  • Your "Go-Kit" should include at least two masks per person, soap, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and, if available, disinfectant spray. Have clothes for at least a week. No one cares how stylish you are. If you are at a pharmacy, pick up some surgical gloves and, if you don't have them, work gloves. 
  • Fill your car with fuel. I still recommend a road atlas or map in addition to whatever navigation system you might have. 
  • Power failures are likely. If you have a generator, fill it with fuel. If you wish to purchase a portable generator, do not put it in the garage, indoors, or anywhere near an air intake. Carbon monoxide is a danger. 
  • Consider taking your passport or putting it in your safe deposit box. If the worst happens, you'll need it to prove identity for disaster documents. It will be difficult to recover in a ruined home.
  • Take at least two large bottles of water for each family member along with protein bars or other easy-to-carry food. 
  • If you decide to stay home, make sure you have a working fire extinguisher, non-electric can opener, and a first aid kit. 
  • Put your insurance documents in your safe deposit box or take them with you. This will facilitate filing a claim if you have serious property damage. 
You can get more information from me on Twitter @usweatherexpert.

Between Laura, Isaias and Hanna, we've had more than our share of hurricanes in 2020. While I hope we are done, don't count on it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn...
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue i...
Read more