As spring approches, the threat of severe storms does too. This is a great time to get your weather-related preparedness plan together, before the storm hits! Every year many people are injured or die from the result of storm damage or hazards thereof. In most cases, a little preparation could have avoided many of these injuries and death all together. But it takes a little preparation on your part to be ready. Do you remember back at some of the storms that Mother nature threw at us in the past? Here are a few and some tips to be ready for storms like these.
1. Ice Storms
In what started out being called the second largest power outage in Kentucky's history, but now being the largest in their history, 525,000 people in Kentucky were left powerless after a massive ice storm covered the state. Ice, snow, sleet and rain blanketed the area and cold air near the surface turned everything around into a state-wide skating rink. Trees and power lines were a sitting duck and they couldn't support the weight of the added ice. Many tree limbs came tumbling down on nearby cars, homes, and power lines. With temperatures to remain below freezing until the weekend, power official see a slow-go on restoring nearly half of the state's power grid to a functional state once again.2. Hurricane Earl Threatened The East Coast
East coast beware! Hurricane Earl is on the move and although the wind speeds have decreased from 135 mph, catagory 4 storm to 125 mph, catagory 3 storm, your guard should not be down. I know that i've been watching its path from my location on the east coast while on my honeymoon. The increased storm surge already has increased the wave heights to 6-8 feet and the waves are expected to reach as high as 12-14 feet during Earl's passing on its way towards North Carolina and eventually New York City's area. Yes, the home of About.com could see the effects of Earl if it takes one of the projected paths. Massachusetts is also in the storm's path, so as you can see, there is the possibility of an extensive area being effected by this storm. As the east coast prepares for high waves, flooding and power outages, now is the time to prepare for the effects of the storm, before they happen.3. Battery-powered Devices Need Attention
If the power is off, how will you charge things? If the lights are off, what will you use for light? Do you have a way to hear what weather is still around and what's to come? These are great questions to think about before a storm approaches. You should have a plan and a stash of supplies ready.
1.Charge your cell phones and have them ready to use. 2.Get all of your flashlights loaded with new batteries. 3.Get an all-weather radio that runs on both AC power and batteries.
4. Accident Ready Kits
Accidents can happen in weather-related storms, so an accident kit full of bandages, salves, and cold compresses is a great idea. Anything could happen from burns to cuts and scrapes. And don't forget something to eat and drink.
1.Have a first aid kit ready for accidents and burns. Electricity and water don't mix, so be prepared for this type of treatment. 2.Have plenty of canned food and bottled water on hand in the event the power is out. Refrigerated foods would probably perish.
