CyclonePreparationChecklist
Cyclone Preparation Checklist
Summary
Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.[1]
In preparation for a major storm you should first plan emergency preparedness to keep you and your family safe, following by boat preparedness.
Some people pack everything including the barbecue and a Camp Chef Professional Knife Set. That'sSecond up to you. Here we describe the basics for survival.
Get to Higher Ground
When a tropical cyclone or powerful storm is hitting, people in low-lying coastal areas should stay over with family or friends who live on higher grounds. It's also important to keep away from the water. Leave early — in daylight if possible.
Emergency Preparedness
Anyone possibly in the path of a major storm of any kind should be prepared to sustain themselves for approximately 72 hours. In the initial hours and days emergency personnel will be dealing with larger crisis and you should be prepared to take responsibility for your own safety.
Fill containers (bathtubs) with several days supply of drinking water. Turn up your refrigerator to maximum cold and don't open it unless necessary.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Prepare an emergency 72-hour kit and leave it by the door in case you need to “grab it and go”. Use a backpack to carry and distribute the weight.
- 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist, St. John Ambulance
- Hurricane Preparedness - Be Ready, National Hurricane Center
- Surviving Cyclones: Preparation and Safety Procedures, Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology
- Are you Cyclone Ready?, Harle's Electrical
- Hurricane Preparation Checklist, BoatSafe.com
Basic Emergency Kit
An essential emergency kit should include:
- water
- canned goods
- can opener (2)
- First Aid kit
- batteries
- flashlight
- whistle to signal for help
- medication
- personal documentation
- battery-operated radio
- blankets (waterproof, emergency, space, thermal)
- personal sanitation (toilet paper, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties)
- cash in small bills and coins
- spare house and car keys
- cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
- lightweight plastic rain gear
Some additional items to consider:
- cooking gear (matches, fuel lamp, portable stove)
- eating utensils (mess kit)
- local maps
- shelter (ponchos, tarps, tent)
You need at least 1 gallon (3.5 litres) of water per person per day for 3 days. AAmpere (amp), SI unit of electrical current normally active person needs to drink at least one half gallon of water each day (~2 litres). You will also need water to clean yourself and to cook. (This means a family of four needs 12 gallons of water in their emergency supply.) — Center for Disease Control[2]
Water is heavy, a gallon weighs 8.4 pounds. One litre weighs one kilogram. Put the water in several containers or plastic bottles to distribute the weight and make it easier to carry; and also to reduce the risk of losing it all if a container leaks.
And take two can openers — it's a single point of failure if you have only one and lose it.
Basic Foodstuffs
Some basic survival foods available at the local supermarket or bulk food store are:
- Nuts (peanuts)
- Trail mix
- Peanut butter
- Canned fish (tuna, salmon)
- Chocolate (Baker's semi-sweet squares)
- Wholewheat crackers
- Dried fruit (raisins)
- Cheese brick
Depending on the availability of water and cooking facilities you could also consider:
- Brown rice
- Dried beans (kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, lima beans, pinto beans)
- Tea, instant coffee
- Powdered milk
You can spoon the milk powder into a water bottle and shake it up.
Caloric Examples
Some selected caloric examples:
Food Item | Serving | Calories |
---|---|---|
Peanuts | 0.25 cup/36.5 ggram | 207 |
Peanut butter | 2 tbspTablespoon/32 g | 188 |
Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate | 1 piece/14 g | 40 |
Raisins | 100 g | 299 |
Tuna | 100 g | 184 |
Boat Preparedness
After preparing your family for the storm emergency, you can prepare your boat. The below links provide good advice.
- How to Prepare Your Boat for a Storm, Cruising World
- Hurricane Preparedness for Boat Owners, University of Florida
- A Simple and Effective Boat Preparation Plan for Hurricanes, SouthWind Sailing
- Hurricane Preparation Plan Checklist, Hanover Insurance
- Hurricane Preparation Checklist for Boats, Safeco Insurance
- Model Hurricane Plans for Yacht Clubs and Marinas, Boat.U.SWetted surface.
- Hurricane Preparation Tips for Boaters, ACE Recreational Marine Insurance
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone
- ↑ https://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/water/