Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some things to know to surviving Martial Law?(3)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Create alliances with like minded neighbors or community members that share your views. Team work and numbers may help your situation.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some things to know to surviving Martial Law?(2)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Avoid areas of marital law. Can be imposed due to natural disasters or man caused events. Important to have a retreat or place in a rural area away from populated areas.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some things to know to surviving Martial Law?(1)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Prepare before any declaration of martial law by becoming self reliant. You may become subject to a bureaucratic system and be prepared to stay one step ahead of it which is easy to do if you are prepared and in a position to be self reliant. You may also face mob rule, chaos, panic, or a complete breakdown in law and order. Survival situations may be easier to handle in rural areas than urban.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What is an Extreme Wind Warning?

Michael Petruccelli says; An EXTREME WIND WARNING:

Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Additional Watches and Warnings are issued to provide detailed information on specific threats such as floods and tornadoes. Local National Weather Service offices issue Flash Flood/Flood Watches and Warnings as well as Tornado Warnings.

Be Alert For...

Tornadoes they are often spawned by hurricanes.

The calm “eye” of the storm it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.

REMINDER: If you are told to leave

your home, do so immediately!

What to Bring to a Shelter:

„„First-aid kit

„„Medicine, prescriptions

„„Baby food and diapers

„„Games, books, music players with headphones

„„Toiletries

„„Battery-powered radio and cell phone

„„Flashlights

„„Extra batteries

„„A blanket or sleeping bag for each person

„„Identification

Cash, credit card

„„Copies of key papers such as insurance policies

Note: In this case the winds can be the enemy but there is the silent enemy, the rain.

Rainfall

Hurricanes often produce widespread, torrential rains in excess of 6 inches, which may result in deadly and destructive floods. In fact, flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones for people living inland. Flash flooding, defined as a rapid rise in water levels, can occur quickly due to intense rainfall. Longer term flooding on rivers and streams can persist for several days after the storm.

Rainfall amounts are not directly related to the strength of tropical cyclones but rather to the speed and size of the storm, as well as the geography of the area. Slower moving and larger storms produce more rainfall. In addition, mountainous terrain enhances rainfall from a tropical cyclone.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What is a hurricane Warning, what should I do when they announce a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning for Isaac?

Michael Petruccelli says;  HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM WARNING: Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area of the Warning, usually within 36 hours of the onset of tropical storm force winds. Complete storm preparations and immediately leave the threatened area if directed by local officials.

When in a Warning Area…

1. Closely monitor radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for official bulletins.

2. Close storm shutters.

3. Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave

immediately if ordered!

4. Stay with friends or relatives at a low-rise inland hotel or at a designated public shelter outside the flood zone.

5. DO NOT stay in a mobile or manufactured home.

6. Notify neighbors and a family member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans.

7. Take pets with you if possible, but remember, most public shelters do not allow pets other than those used by used by people with disabilities.

Identify pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route.

 If Winds Become Strong...

1.     Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway.

2.     Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.

3.     If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first floor room.

4.     If you are in a multi-story building and away from water, go to the 1st or 2nd floor and stay in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows.

5.     Lie on the floor under a table or other sturdy object.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What is a hurricane Watch, what should I do when they announce a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch for Isaac?

Michael Petruccelli says;  According to the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Weather Service -  

A Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch:

Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 48 hours of the onset of tropical storm force winds.

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale states these wind speeds-

Tropical Storm (39 mph sustained winds up to 73 mph)

Hurricane Category 1 (74 mph sustained winds up to 95 mph)

Hurricane Category 2 (96 mph sustained winds up to 110 mph)

Hurricane Category 3 (111 mph sustained winds up to 129 mph)

Hurricane Category 4 (130 mph sustained winds up to 156 mph)

Hurricane Category 5 (157 mph sustained winds plus)

During a Watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.

When in a Watch Area…

1. Frequently listen to radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for official bulletins of the storm’s progress.

2. Fuel and service family vehicles.

3. Inspect and secure mobile home tie downs.

4. Ensure you have extra cash on hand.

5. Prepare to cover all windows and doors with

shutters or other shielding materials.

6. Check batteries and stock up on canned food,

first aid supplies, drinking water and medications.

7. Bring in light-weight objects such as garbage

cans, garden tools, toys, lawn furniture and potted plants.

Plan to Leave if You...

1. Live in a mobile home. They are unsafe in high winds no matter how well fastened to the ground.

2. Live on the coastline, an offshore island or near a river or a flood plain.

3. Live in a high rise building. Hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What should I do when a hurricane warning for Isaac is issued for my area?

Michael Petruccelli says;  When A Hurricane Warning Is Issued:  

Hurricane conditions are less than 36 hours away and violent weather may come quickly. If you are not ordered to evacuate, complete your preparations and head to your home’s safe room.

• Move your supplies and emergency survival kit to your safe room.
• Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors, particularly double inward-opening doors and garage doors.
• Most importantly, stay inside and do not leave your shelter.