Helene's arrival is imminent. It's high time to carry out these 14 preparations.
Approximately 40 million Americans are under hurricane or tropical storm warnings in five states, as per CNN's Senior Meteorologist Brandon Miller.
In many places, the storm's force will peak during the night. This necessitates specific precautions.
"If someone's planning to hit the sack at 9 or 10 pm tonight, it might seem like it's not so harsh. Just a bit of wind, perhaps 20-30 miles per hour, with a bit of rain. But by 2 or 3 am, those winds could surge to 50-60 miles per hour, possibly, so it's crucial to prepare ahead of time," Miller explained.
Miller recommends turning up your phone or smartwatch's volume to hear any emergency alerts. It's also a smart move to ensure these devices are close to you and fully charged. Many regions are forecasted to lose power overnight, and powerful winds could delay emergency crews from starting restoration work.
Heavy rainfall might saturate the soil and strong winds might cause trees to fall, so it's a good idea to rest in a part of your house that's away from tall trees, if possible.
"That's something folks can do: Choose a room in their house that's the most shielded from falling debris, and catch some Zs there tonight," Miller suggested. In the event that the storm spawns tornadoes, which is likely, Miller advises sleeping on the ground floor in an internal room, well away from any windows.
Here are a few things you can do right now to prepare and safeguard your family:
- Consider your nearest shelters' locations. The Red Cross offers a map.
- Pack a 'grab-and-go' kit or bag. Store it somewhere easily accessible if you need to leave your home suddenly. Here's what it should include.
- Create digital copies of vital documents. You might find it useful to snap a photo of your ID card using your phone.
- Secure outdoor items. High winds could turn outdoor items into projectiles. Put away outdoor furniture, and bring plants indoors.
- Stock up on non-perishable food supplies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends planning for a three-day food supply per person and pet.
- Prepare for how you'll use that food. Select groceries that won't spoil if the power goes out. Consider grinding your coffee beans, or buying instant coffee. Get shelf-stable milk or individual condiment packages. Consider utilizing paper plates and plastic utensils.
- Keep a basic first-aid kit at hand. The Red Cross provides recommendations for what should be included.
- Keep useful tools handy, too. A Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman-type tool, a wrench or key to turn off utilities, or a saw for dealing with tree branches might be useful.
- Locate your flashlights, and change their batteries.
- Charge all phones, tablets, and computers fully. Save some entertainment by downloading movies and TV shows to a tablet for use during extended power outages and heavy rains.
- Carry a backup power source for your electronics, such as a power bank. Make sure you have charging cables for your devices in your car.
- Top off your fuel tank or charge your electric vehicle.
- Prepare your generator. If using a backup generator for power, ensure you have fuel for it, and never use it indoors. More info on using backup generators safely.
- Have a means of obtaining emergency information that doesn't require electricity. FEMA recommends battery-powered or hand-cranked radios. If you have a low-bandwidth connection, you can access CNN's lite site.
Despite the current hurricane warnings, prioritizing health and wellness is still crucial. It's important to maintain a balanced diet, even during emergency situations, by stocking up on non-perishable food supplies. Additionally, regular exercise and adequate sleep can help boost your immune system and improve your overall wellbeing, which can be particularly beneficial in stressful times.
