Preparedness Vital for Hurricane Season

While greatly concerned about everyone's wellbeing and continuing numerous preventive measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas Nelson safety officials offer an important reminder. Hurricane season spans June 1 to Nov. 30.

Although that is the commonly referenced timeframe, officials note that tropical and extratropical cyclones can form at any time when conditions support storm generation. "This is particularly true, as the Atlantic Hurricane season will begin, having already experienced two named storms in the month of May," said Paul Long, Thomas Nelson's interim dean of Public Safety, Allied Health & Human Services.

"Tropical cyclones and extratropical cyclones include tropical and extratropical storms, as well as hurricanes. Each can be a powerful extremely damaging and even debilitating force of nature," he added.

As such, preparedness is crucial. It begins by identifying your personal risks - location of your residence (flood zone, etc.); if you Know Your Zone; type of insurance coverage (homeowners and flood); whether or not you have a plan; your evacuation route; also where and how will you obtain information.

Long notes you should have a plan that addresses the risks and requirements of staying versus evacuating. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan. Discuss the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 and how it may affect planning. Remember to create a plan for the office, children's daycare and anywhere you frequent. Helpful planning tips:

• Include plans for functional and social support services
• Include plans for pets and their supplies, if your local shelter does not accept pets, or certain types of pets only
• Prepare to store all lawn furniture and items that may become projectiles due to high winds, including trashcans and recycle bins and any uncollected yard debris
• Adhere to all recommendations for evaluation or shelter-in-place advisories local officials provided for your area
• Determine if your residence can withstand hurricane force winds if you plan to shelter in place
• Evacuate as advised if you reside in a mobile home or are camping in RVs
• Prepare an emergency kit and supplies that can sustain self-sufficiency for three to seven days or more including food, water, blankets, fuel, medicines, medical supplies, pet supplies and etc.
• Make sure that you have a battery powered NOAA weather radio. A NOAA weather radio will allow you to monitor the weather and receive any messages about public safety
• Anticipate an interruption in government services, retail and other businesses
• Anticipate the loss of financial services and the ability to obtain cash
• Anticipate a loss of human services
• Anticipate damages and loss of utilities
• Expect significant delays in emergency services responses, if they can respond at all. Typically, emergency services stop responding to emergencies when conditions become unsafe to do so. Following a storm, damage can prevent emergency services from reaching many areas for hours, days or even weeks.

Long advises reviewing your insurance coverage. Does your coverage match or exceed your assessment? Know your deductibles, coverage limits and policy declarations. Most homeowners' policies do not provide for water, sewer or flood damage claims. Homeowners should consider purchasing flood insurance and consult an insurance agent or contact the National Flood Insurance Program. Renters should consider renter's insurance with water damage coverage. It can take up to 30 days for flood insurance to take effect.

With more than 1.25 million residents in 23 localities within Virginia's tiered evacuation zones, it's important to "Know Your Zone." Designated A through D, the zones aim to give residents clear and specific evacuation or shelter-in-place information. When a serious storm is expected to threaten or is anticipated to impact Virginia's coastal regions, emergency management officials will collaborate to release information through multiple media including social media.

While preparedness is the key to response and recovery during hurricane season, said Long, be mindful that emergency preparedness can be a monumental undertaking for those who may not have the means. Information and referrals to many human services organizations that offer various aid is available by dialing 2-1-1 or going online at http://www.211virginia.org.