The following are definitions of terms, used by the National Hurricane Center in their forecasts, which will help you better understand the extent of the threat posed by a hurricane.

• Advisory: A formal message from the National Hurricane Center, issued every six hours, providing details on location, intensity and movement of a tropical cyclone.
• Hurricane Eye: The relatively calm area near the center of a storm. The duration of the "Calm" may last from several minutes to over an hour, depending on the size and speed of the hurricane. The "Calm" usually ends suddenly as winds return, possibly with even greater force.
• Hurricane Warning: This warning indicates that a hurricane, with sustained winds of at least 74 mph, is to be expected in 24 hours or less. At this point, hurricane preparedness plans must be finalized. Hurricane warnings are seldom issued more than 24 hours in advance, and in cases of hurricanes with unusual or erratic paths, the warning may be issued only a few hours before landfall.
• Hurricane Watch: A hurricane watch indicates that hurricane conditions are a strong possibility and may threaten a given area within 36 hours. This advisory does not necessarily mean a hurricane is imminent, however you must initiate your hurricane preparedness activities.
• Intermediate advisories: Advisories are issued at two or three hour intervals, between regularly schedules advisories, whenever a storm nears a coast.
• Storm Surge: A dome-like rise in ocean level associated with a hurricane. The difference between this abnormal rise in sea level and the level that normally occurs is called the storm surge. It is highest along and to the immediate right of the location where the eye of the hurricane strikes land.
• Tornado Warning: If a tornado is reported in the area, a warning will be issued. Tornadoes spawned by hurricanes are capable of producing severe damage and casualties.
• Tropical Depression: A non-frontal low pressure system which usually originates in the tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds of 38 mph.
• Tropical Storm: A non-frontal low pressure system which usually originates in the tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds of 73 mph.
• Tropical Storm Warning: This warning indicates that there is a strong possibility that a storm, with a wind speed of 39 to 73 mph, which could strike a given area within 24 hours.
• Tropical Storm Watch: A tropical storm evolves from a tropical depression. This advisory means that a tropical storm could threaten a given area within 36 hours.

If you live in an area that is not required to evacuate and you cannot protect all your windows and doors, you must identify and protect a portion of your home - a safe room!

How to select your safe room:

• A room in the center of your home
  A room with small or few windows
  If you live in a two-story house (away from the water), go to an interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom, a closet, or under the stairs.

If you live in a multiple-story building (away from the water), go to the first or second floor and take refuge in halls or other interior rooms away from windows. Interior stairwells and the areas around elevator shafts are generally the strongest parts of a building.

Protecting and supplying the safe room:

• If the room you select room has windows, you must install some form of window protection.
• Move your water and food supply to your safe room.
• Move your battery-operated radio and flashlights to your safe room.
• Bring important papers.

When to go to your safe room:

• When you hear a hurricane warning issued.
• When outside conditions worsen and land fall is eminent.
• Do not leave the safe room until the all clear is issued on the radio. Do not be fooled by the calm eye of the storm.
  

Tornado Tips:

• When you hear a tornado "watch" remain alert – a tornado is possible
• When you hear a tornado "warning" a tornado has been spotted, go to safety immediately (Safe Room)
• Choose lower floor bathroom or closet, in the center of the building. Protect your head from flying debris
• Get out of mobile homes and cars. If no immediate shelter is around, get into a ditch or low lying area and cover your head
  

Flooding is most likely to occur during the rainy or hurricane season. Except in the case of flash flooding from thunderstorms or coastal storms, the onset of most floods is a relatively slow process and the build-up normally takes several hours to several days. The most important thing during a flood is to listen to the radio, follow the directions provided by the Local Emergency Services and evacuate if instructed to do so.

AFTER A FLOOD

Your home may not have been flooded and floodwaters may have subsided but many dangers may still exist.

Here are things to remember:

• Roads may be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. If barricades have been installed, they are there for your protection.
• If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, take another route.
• Keep listening to the radio for news about what to do, where to go, or places to avoid.
• Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
  

If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded:

• Stay on firm ground. Moving water that is only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
• Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Flooding may have caused familiar places to change in appearance. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may cover dead animals, sharp objects and may be very slippery.
• Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.

Tips for post flood recovery and safety:

• Turn off the electricity at the main breaker of fuse box, even if the power is off in your community. That way, you can decide when your home is dry enough to turn it back on.
• Discard all food in tin cans that are swollen, leaking, or corroded due to contact with flood waters.
• Drink only water you know is safe for drinking. Safe water is usually water in sealed bottles, water declared safe by health officials, or water that you have treated according to health department guidelines.
  

Thunderstorms often accompany hurricane conditions. Every day we place odds on one occurrence or another. A common example of this is, "You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to . . . (some event that the protagonist is trying to convince us is absurdly and preposterously remote)". Be aware that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that a total of 106 people, in the US, die of lightning strikes every year. Florida has twice as many lightning casualties (deaths and injuries combined) as any other state. Most lightning casualties occur in the afternoon - two-thirds between noon and 4 p.m. local standard time. Sunday has 24% more deaths than other days, followed by Wednesday. Reports of lightning strikes reach their peak in mid-year.

Here are some tips to protect yourself from lightning:

IF OUTDOORS: Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. Unsafe places include under canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning strikes nearby when you are outside, you should:

• Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.
• Maintain a clearance of a minimum of 15 ft. from other people.

IF INDOORS: Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off audio head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, and TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, creating an electrical hazard for people and equipment.

• Obtain a carrier or crate for each pet that is large enough to allow your pet to stand and turn around.
• Help your pet to adjust to being in the carrier, before its time to use it.
• Be sure that each pet has current vaccinations, especially rabies, and is wearing a collar with current animal license tag.
• If you know you will stay at home, prepare an easily cleaned quiet room, or bathroom away from windows to keep your pet during the storm.
• If you know you will evacuate to a public shelter, arrange to board your pet at a kennel, animal clinic, or dependable friend's home.
• If you know you will evacuate to a hotel/motel, call first to locate one that allows pets. The Automobile Club of America publishes a book that lists hotels/motels accepting pets.
• For each pet, have two-weeks supply of food, treats, and water. Have enough newspaper, plastic bags, cleaner, and disinfectants to handle pet waste.
• Get advice from your veterinarian if your pet is on a special diet.
  

AT HOME DURING A STORM

• Noise from a storm can frighten a pet. If possible, keep the pet within sight of the family.
• Keep an ample supply of newspapers for your pet's sanitary needs. For easier cleaning, keep the pet in the bathroom, utility room, or enclosed garage.
• Feed your pet moist or canned food to preserve water.
  

LEAVING YOUR PET ALONE AT HOME

• Remember, public shelters will not take pets!
• Bring your pet indoors to the prepared safe area.
• Leave pet food in sturdy containers accessible to pet.
• Birds must eat daily, board if possible. If not, put special food dispensers in the cage.
• If you leave your pet in the bathroom, disinfect the toilet bowl, flush well, and leave the lid open, otherwise fill a container, not easily toppled, with water.
• Keep small pets confined away from cats and dogs. Never leave a cat with a dog in the same room, even if they usually get along.
  

PROTECTING YOUR PETS AFTER A HURRICANE

• Keep your pets inside after a hurricane. If you take your pet outdoors, keep your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier.
• Pets are more easily lost and confused when outdoors after a storm because of altered scents and landmarks.
• There may be fallen power lines and reptiles brought in with high water that could endanger your pet.
  

If you can easily move your boat , store it ashore, far from the danger of high water. Follow these tips:

If you must move your boat, first inspect the trailer to ensure that it is in proper operating condition. Check tires (including spare), wheel bearings, tow hitch and lights.
If you can, put your boat and trailer in a garage. If they must be kept in the open, secure them to strong trees or with a "deadman" anchor. Remove every thing that could be torn loose by a strong wind.
Increase the weight of your trailered outboard boat by filling it with fresh water and leaving the drain plug in (inboard boats must be drained to avoid motor damage). Insert wood blocks between the trailer frame and the springs for extra support.

If you must leave your boat in the water there are three recommended options:
	BERTH at a dock which has sturdy pilings and which offers reasonable shelter from open water and storm surge. Double all mooring lines but allow enough slack so your boat can rise with the higher tides. Cover all lines with chafe protectors (double neoprene garden hose cut along the side) at points where the line is likely to wear and place extra fenders and fender boards (the more the better).
	ANCHOR your boat in a protected harbor where the bottom allows a good anchor hold. An advantage to anchoring is that the boat can more easily respond to wind and water changes without striking docks or other boats than when moored. Heavy and extra anchors are needed for this option and enough line should be on hand to allow a scope of at least 10:1 for each anchor.
	HURRICANE HOLES are ideal locations to moor your boat during a hurricane. These are deep, narrow coves or inlets that are surrounded by a number of sturdy trees which block the wind and provide a tie-off for anchor lines. The best location for a hurricane hole is one far enough inland to avoid the most severe winds and tides, yet close enough to reach on short notice. You may want to scout out a satisfactory hurricane hole ahead of time!

Never stay with your boat. Your boat should be stripped of anything that can become loose during the storm. This would include unstepping the mast in sailboats. Boat documents, radios and other valuables should be removed from the vessel prior to the storm, since you never know how long it will take for you to get back to your boat once the storm passes.

Disclaimer: The FIU Department of Environmental Health & Safety & Risk Management Services hopes that you will find this information helpful and easy to use, and although the information given above is believed to be reliable and current, we make no guarantees as to absolute applicability.

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