Prepared For A Hurricane? Season Still Has 4 Months To Go

The rest of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season will likely still be an active one, according to a seasonal forecast update released Aug. 2 by Colorado State University's Tropical Forecast team of Dr. Phillip J. Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray.

Klotzbach and Gray are forecasting a season total of 18 named storms, eight of which are expected to become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).

While remnants of Tropical Storm Dorian remain on the National Hurricane Center's radar, forecasters are bracing for the predicted arrival of Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry and Karen. 

More People Aware Of Danger

The good news is more Gulf Coast residents are prepared for hurricanes than ever before.

 A survey shows nearly two in three residents along the Gulf Coast are concerned that they are in harm’s way from a hurricane or flood, the highest concern among four coastal regions in the country.

The survey by the American Red Cross and The Weather Channel of 1,412 residents of coastal counties from Texas to Maine found that, among all coastal counties, 58 percent of the respondents were very or somewhat concerned they could be in harm’s way of a hurricane in 2013. 

The 65 percent for Gulf Coast respondents was the highest, followed by 63 percent for the Southern Atlantic coast counties, 56 percent for New Jersey and New York coastal counties and 43 percent for New England. 

More than four in five (81 percent) of Gulf Coast county respondents said their family had been part of a hurricane, by far the highest percentage of the four regions.

Superstorm Sandy’s destruction and devastation – the largest U.S. disaster in the past five years – was a motivation for greater preparedness this hurricane season.

The poll revealed that 49 percent of New York and New Jersey coastal residents surveyed said their Sandy experience has caused them to take more steps to prepare for hurricanes this year. 

In contrast, only about one in five coastal residents in the Gulf Coast (21 percent) and Southern Atlantic Coast (22 percent) said that Superstorm Sandy encouraged them to take more steps.

Yet Many Still Unprepared

While Superstorm Sandy raised awareness of the need to prepare, overall the survey reveals little evidence that people in any of the coastal areas have actually taken the necessary steps, even as forecasters are predicting a busy 2013 hurricane season through Nov. 30.

“Hurricane Isaac last August showed yet again how winds and storm surges can impact people in the Gulf region, and it’s time for people here to get ready now for the 2013 hurricane season,” said Linda Carbone, regional CEO for Florida’s West Coast Region. “People can create a family evacuation plan, get needed supplies and medications, and download a free Red Cross hurricane app.”

Among those in Gulf Coast counties, 73 percent had emergency supplies of water, food and medicine, 71 percent had a small disaster kit, 59 percent had a family plan on how to communicate in an emergency, 50 percent had an established meeting place if family members were separated, 39 percent had practiced their emergency plan, 34 percent had taken first aid or CPR training in the past five years and 29 percent had volunteered to help prepare for or respond to a disaster. 

About 11 percent had taken none of the preparedness steps.

More than one in three (36 percent) of Gulf Coast respondents say they live in an area likely to flood in a hurricane or heavy rain, the highest percentage in the four regions. 

Key Survey Findings

Other key overall survey findings include:

• Local TV news remains the most popular source of emergency information (94 percent), followed closely by The Weather Channel (85 percent).

• Smart phone apps are providing coastal residents with new ways to prepare for emergencies, and 14 percent have downloaded a smart phone app that could help them in emergency situations.

• One in five households now has member with a health issue or disability. A quarter of those households are not confident they have a plan to meet these medical needs in an emergency. 

Actions Residents Should Take

The Red Cross and The Weather Channel urge everyone to update their family evacuation plan, emergency preparedness kit and get better prepared for this hurricane season:

• Create an emergency preparedness kit with food and water, and other basic supplies for each family member to last at least three days. Remember to include essential medications, copies of important documents and special items for children and pets. 

• Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Coordinate with your child’s school, your work and community’s emergency plans.

• Be informed about what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work, play and pray, and how to respond as safely as possible. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information. 

Red Cross and Weather Channel resources and tools can help make preparedness easier: 

• Download any of the Red Cross free disaster-specific mobile apps—particularly the Hurricane and First Aid apps—to get lifesaving preparedness information in the palm of your hand before and during emergencies. Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps. 

• Download The Weather Channel app and log on to weather.com for accurate and up-to-the-minute severe weather reports in your community. Visit the "Safety and Preparedness" section of weather.com for life-saving information including videos, tools and tips to help you prepare for a weather emergency.  

• Use the Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program (readyrating.org). It’s a free, web-based program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools to become better prepared. Members complete a self assessment of their current readiness level and receive immediate, customized feedback with resources to improve preparedness. First Aid Emergency Drills help businesses train their staff for emergencies and disasters.  

• View free checklists at redcross.org/preparednessfastfacts.

More on what to do before, during and after a hurricane can be found at redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane.