JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- With the hurricane season fast approaching, it is important to prepare ahead of time.
Although the season, begins on June 1 and ends Nov., storms can occur outside of the projected season.
Keeping track of all the terms concerning hurricanes and severe weather can be overwhelming, but it is very important to recognize the terminology. It is also important to know what actions or steps should be taken to prepare yourself and your family to mitigate the impact of a storm.
It only takes one storm to seriously impact a life or community, and hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful and destructive storms.
Hurricanes can range from a category 1 to 5, based on the sustained wind speed. Hurricanes that reach category 3 or higher are considered severe, due to the potential damages and loss of life that might be associated with the storm.
Hurricanes frequently bring high winds, tornadoes and cause landslides; however, the most deadly and disastrous hazard is flooding. It is important for coastal residents to monitor tropical storm systems as they may create dangerous storm surges, which is one of the main factors for evacuations.
As a result, it is critical for coastal residents to know their storm surge risk and designated evacuation routes.
Flooding can also occur inland from a tropical storm system. The system can cause a flash flood in just a matter of minutes, and residents living inland should be just as knowledgeable and prepared about flooding as a coastal resident.
For individuals who live inland, it is important to know where to go if an evacuation in the area is issued and make plans concerning where to go to find higher ground.
The best way to prepare yourself and your family for the potential impact of a hurricane is to take action now, by developing a family emergency plan and building an emergency supply kit with items that will allow you and your family to ride out a hurricane for at least five days. Kits should include but are not limited to water, food, clothing, a first aid kit, toiletries and a flashlight with additional batteries.
Members should also identify two or three, out of town contacts and share family emergency plans with them.
For more information regarding hurricane preparation, visit www.beready.af.mil.