Raise Your Hurricane IQ
As Floridians, we know a lot about hurricanes, possibly more than we want to. Advances in technology allow us a great opportunity to see what works, and what does not. Some of the standard boat, landscape, and home preparation strategies have changed to reflect the ‘hard knock’ education we got last year. So, although you have done this many times before, review your plans and have a little fun with it too. You can pretend you’re a weatherman, sign up for bulletins and test your hurricane I.Q.
Do you know how to sanitize your bathtub full of water safely? How long will the food in your freezer last? What is the first thing to do when the power goes out? For all these answers and more go to Solutions for Your Life or contact your local extension office at 305-292-4501.
A fun way to learn more about current and historical weather conditions is a web site called wunderground that includes a blog by meteorology PhD Jeff Masters. The site features all kinds of maps, weather conditions and NOAAPORT satellite link adding real-time NEXRAD precipitation data and high-resolution imagery. At wunderground you can find satellite and regional radar conditions, run forecast models and even print a local astronomy map.
Mitigation can help to protect your home from a hurricane's pounding winds. Preventing wind from entering your house can make the difference between having a home and not having a home. Visit the floridadisaster.org mitigation page for additional information.
Did you know that you could sign up for an email notification each time Monroe County issues an emergency bulletin? Subscribe for local notifications and find lots of other local information.
For up-to-the-minute information when disaster strikes you can visit this web site or you can call the Emergency Information Hotline 1-800-955-5504.
By the way…
Water Sanitizing: Considering the normal uses of the bathtub, water stored in the bathtub is not potable (drinkable). One should store drinking water separately. If there is no other source of water and you must use water from the bathtub, it should be kept at a rolling boil for 1 to 3 minutes prior to drinking or using in food preparation.
To store drinking water add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water: Stir. Let stand for 30 minutes. Smell the water. If you don’t smell a slight bleach odor, add another dose of bleach and let stand another 15 minutes.
Freezer foods: If the food contains ice crystals or (is 40°F or below), it is safe to refreeze the food. Refrigerator foods: safe as long as the power is out for no more than 4 hours.
Power outage: turn off utilities, propane and unplug small appliances.