Becoming Storm Savvy Busting Hurricane Myths
Basic Hurricane Information. • Pinellas County’s Hurricane Guide • www. pinellascounty. org/emergency • Emergency Management: (727) 464 -3800 • Front of your telephone white pages • www. fema. gov • www. floridadisaster. org • www. flash. org
What is a myth? • myth–noun Origin: Gk mŷthos story – a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some hero or event, and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. – Any fictitious story or unscientific account, theory, belief, etc.
Why are myths dangerous? • They waste your time • They cost you money • They make you believe you are safer
The dirty dozen. • • Window taping It costs too much Pressure differences Total destruction Vertical evacuation High winds Mobile home safety Countywide evacuation • Public shelters • Evacuation order timing • Government will provide • everything It can’t happen here
Myth: My windows are protected. I have them taped. • “Taping my windows is cheap and easy. Besides, everyone I see on TV is taping their windows. It must be a good idea. ”
Fact: Shuttering your windows is the safe thing to do. • Tape does nothing to protect windows. • Shutter options: – Plywood (min. 7/16” required – FL Code) – Commercial systems • Large missile impact rated windows.
Myth: Hurricane preparation costs too much. • “News stories claim assembling a supply kit for a family of four costs more than $500. Who can afford that? ”
Fact: Build your kit without busting your budget. • Inventory supplies already in your home. • Buy a little bit each week. • Buy only what you will use.
Myth: I’ll open my window to equalize pressure. • “If I don’t open the windows on the opposite side of my home during a hurricane, the air pressure difference can cause all of the glass in my windows to break. ”
Fact: Keeping wind out of your home is top priority. • It’s not a difference atmospheric pressure that causes failure – it’s debris impact. • Wind entering through an opening can pressurize air in the home, exiting through the weakest point.
Myth: Everything will be destroyed after the ‘Big One’. • “No doubt, a hurricane’s massive winds will tear everything apart. Protection is pointless. Besides, I’ll build a new house when I get my insurance check. ”
Fact: Hardening your home can help save it. • Repairs are much easier than total rebuilds. • You may be able to live in your home if repairs are minor.
Myth: When the storm comes, I’m evacuating up. • “My unit is on the sixth floor of the building and it has shutters. There’s no way storm surge or wind can get me. I’ll be safe. ”
Fact: Vertical evacuation leaves you stranded. • Wind speed increases the higher you go. • Storm surge can wash out lower levels of your building, preventing access after the storm passes.
Myth: Hurricane winds can’t be worse than thunderstorms. • “We have bad thunderstorms here. Hurricanes aren’t much worse. And, my house was built in 1960, so it must have survived lots of big storms. ”
Fact: Hurricane winds are more powerful than you expect. • F = m x v 2 – Example: 120 mph wind is nine times stronger than a 40 mph wind (3 x 3). • High winds can do serious damage, throwing • large missiles. Last hurricane to hit Pinellas County was in 1921.
Myth: My mobile home is a safe place to ride out a storm. • “I have new tie-downs on my mobile home. It was also built after 1994 to tougher standards. ”
Fact: NEVER ride out a storm in a mobile home. • Older homes not built to withstand high winds. • Newer homes rely on tie-downs to resist forces – they can fail. • Evacuate when ordered to!
Myth: There’s no safe place when the ‘Big One’ comes. • “Surely, there is a plan to evacuate everyone from Pinellas County when a Category 5 storm is coming. ”
Fact: There are many safe places to shelter from a storm. • “Run from water, hide from wind. ” • Seek shelter in a wellbuilt structure out of the evacuation zones. • Some areas are less than one mile from the beach to a non-evacuation zone.
Myth: Why have an evacuation plan? I’m going to a shelter. • “I’ve been told that public shelters provide cots, food and generators. Why not use them? I can also bring my pet with me to a shelter, right? ”
Fact: Public shelters are safer, but they are a last resort. • Shelters do not provide bedding, can be crowded and dark. • Pets are only allowed at certain shelters. • Stay with a friend or relative instead.
Myth: I’ll evacuate when the weather starts to get bad. • “The sun is shining. It’s a beautiful beach day. Why evacuate now? Besides, I have weather radar on my computer – I’ll evacuate when I’m sure we’ll get hit. ”
Fact: Evacuate when ordered. • Evacuation orders are issued to protect you when the threat of storm surge exists. • Enough time must be provided to clear residents from affected areas. • Move quickly but safely.
Myth: The government will provide everything I need. • “I don’t need all those things in my survival kit. When the ‘Big One’ hits, the government will set up relief stations and give me exactly what I need. ”
Fact: Get supplies to last AT LEAST 72 HOURS. • First priorities are search and rescue, opening hospitals and restarting basic infrastructure. • Field aid stations will open, but it will take time to get supplies here on damaged roadways and bridges.
Myth: It can’t happen here. • “In Pinellas, we’re protected by an ancient Indian blessing/our geography/weather patterns. The storms will never come here. ”
Fact: It’s only a matter of time. • Major storms form in the Gulf – Wilma (882 mb), Camille (902 mb) • Tampa Bay area is not immune – 1835, 1848, 1852, 1873, 1887, 1892, 1894, 1899, 1921 • Close brushes since 1950 – Easy (1950), Donna (1960), Gladys (1968), Elena (1985), Georges (1998), Charley (2004), Wilma (2005)
Be prepared! • Know your evacuation level and evacuate when ordered • Build your hurricane survival kit • Prepare your home to withstand high winds • Monitor the weather daily during the hurricane season
Stay in the know • Weather Alert Radios – Fast warning from the local weather office • Local Media (Radio, TV, Newspaper) • Community Notification System – (888) 689 -8905 from a cell phone • Citizen Information Center (727) 464 -4333 • www. pinellascounty. org/emergency • E-Lert - Sign up today
Surviving the Storm: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility www. pinellascounty. org (727) 464 -3800
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