A few quick points that people who are relocating to places like Florida or the Louisiana coast. If you are moving from a place that has had a climate free from thunderstorms and hurricanes then you need to educate yourself on what to expect. Don’t get scared, that’s the first thing. Events like Katrina don’t happen every year, those are freakish disasters. All the same, you need to be physically, mentally, and materially prepared to see through the hurricane season safely with zero or no damage to life and property.
Even though big hurricanes may not happen every year in your state or area, you don’t have to be anywhere close to a major hurricane to get really wet, see flooding on the streets, lose electricity and communication, have windows broken, lose roofs, see inland waterways get flooded, see streets choked with debris, etc. You get the picture. All the above situations happen when high winds and heavy rains come visiting during the hurricane season. At such times you are best inside the safety of your building; however, if there is an evacuation order then heed it. Don’t listen to people who might try to convince you otherwise and tell you that evacuation is a needless chore. Do not think that if you stay on the 17th floor of a high-rise, you’re safe because flood waters can never reach that high. Well, they may not. But the winds at that height are going to be howling mad and you’d best have your hurricane shutters on. If you are not moving or cannot move, ensure that you have some necessary items close to you. These include a source of renewable power like a cranking generator, solar cell; flashlights, matches; drinking water; water purifying tablets; canned and dry food items; and of course medicine.
Even as we speak, tropical storm Bret is moving towards Bahamas and is already packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
