Getting yourself prepared for Tropical storm Irene
What is a tropical storm?
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with torrential rains and sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater which blow in a counter-clockwise direction around a center "eye". Hurricane winds can exceed 155 miles per hour and severely effect areas hundreds of miles inland.
It’s always better to be safe then to be sorry. So lets starts with the little things you’ll need in case there is a power outage..
1. Have at least 2 flash lights
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Have a back up set of batteries for each set of flash lights
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Have a few bottles of water put to the side and where they are easy to get to.
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If you have small children, you can put little snack bars to the side for them if they get hungry.
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Have a first aid kit close by and easy to get to.
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Make sure that you have your cell phones fully charged. Not knowing how long a power outage will last, if you even have a power outage.
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Keep a blanket or two close to you.
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If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure – they are particularly hazardous during hurricanes. Leave if you have to and find shelter.
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Have emergancy cash on hand
With Irene the track that it will take is still not 100 percent clear, however it’s good to be prepared now and not panic when or if it closes in and comes to land. Remember to stay away from the windows due to the high winds with a tropical storm. Winds will be damaging and could break a window or a few windows.
If everyone remember Houston, Texas 2001 was hit, but they thought it had pass with just some rain, but the storm strengthened and started to flood towns. So it’s better to be ready and it not hit the main land then to panic if it does.
Being ready, will save a lot of lives and you’ll have a little less stress and not panic. So for everyone out there, please be prepared and ready for if Irene does come to the main land with it’s wind and rain with possible hail. Watch weather channel to know where exactly Irene is traveling and to know when she just might make landfall.
Make sure to stay tune to your local forecast in case there is an evacuation put into effect.
There also could be a threat of tornadoes towards the coast with this tropical storm.
EVERYONE PLEASE BE SAFE