Avian Flu Diary: Preparing For After The Storm Passes

Minimum Preps : Emergency Weather Radio, First Aid Kit, Battery Lantern, Water storage

# 6664

Although still battering the Bahamas, Hurricane Sandy is looking increasingly like it will pose a threat to the United States Mid-Atlantic and New England regions over the next 3 or 4 days.

Exactly how strong it will be, and what areas it will impact are unknown, although the following graphic from the National Hurricane Center’s 5am forecast gives us some pretty good ideas.

As hurricanes move north they often expand in size, rather than strength. Even when they lose their tropical characteristics (become a post-tropical storm) their winds can remain very strong, but are less centralized.

In other words, whether Sandy remains a hurricane all the way to landfall is of little consequence. This storm has the potential to cause a lot damage and disruption over a wide area.

Inland flooding, coastal flooding, and power outages are likely threats, although substantial wind damage - and even tornadoes - are possible as well.

Those in the path of this storm who have extra food, water, provisions for emergency lighting, a first aid kit, an emergency weather radio, and a family emergency plan are likely to fare far better than those who fail to prepare.

The next 48 - 72 hours provides an excellent opportunity for those who have not already done so to put together their family emergency plan and to lay in any last minute provisions.

Often the real danger comes after the storm has passed - during the cleanup and recovery period - when utilities and other services may be out for days.

So with that in mind, a review this morning of food safety after the power goes out, storm cleanup and chainsaw safety, and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators.

Food safety after a power outage is often a concern after a storm, something I covered back in 2010 in USDA: Food Safety When The Power Goes Out.

A few excerpts include:

The USDA maintains a Food Safety and Inspection website with a great deal of consumer information about how to protect your food supplies during an emergency, and how to tell when to discard food that may no longer be safe to consume.

First, an audio podcast (5 minutes).

Surviving a Power Outage: Don't Be in the Dark When it Comes to Food Safety (Jun 2, 2010; 4:45) | Script

FSIS Food Safety staff discusses tips on how to be food safe during a power outage.

The USDA also maintains a large repository of food safety information available to be read online, or downloaded as a pdf.

A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes

Note: This text-only version of the Guide has been optimized for accessibility. The illustrated PDF version (2.1MB) is recommended for printing.

Regarding post-storm cleanup, the the Peachtree City, Georgia NOAA weather page has some useful information, including dealing with repair contractors.

This is just an excerpt, follow the link for a lot more:

Safety After the Storm

Here are just a few safety tips...

Be aware of hazards from exposed nails and broken glass.

Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.

If it is dark when you are inspecting your home, use a flashlight rather than a candle or torch to avoid the risk of fire or explosion in a damaged home.

If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker if you have not done so already.

If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal's office, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease and Prevention. They have a wealth of information about what to do in the aftermath of all sorts of events - like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and many more.

Chainsaw accidents are common after storms as people work under adverse conditions to clear debris. The CDC maintains a chainsaw safety webpage. Excerpts follow:

Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Disaster

Be aware of the risk of chain saw injury during tree removal

Each year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws. The potential risk of injury increases after hurricanes and other natural disasters, when chain saws are widely used to remove fallen or partially fallen trees and tree branches.

Gasoline generators, along with improvised cooking and heating facilities, can put people at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Each year, hundreds of Americans die from exposure to this odorless and colorless gas.

With chilly temperatures forecast after the storm - and the possibility of widespread power outages - the potential for this sort of preventable tragedy in the post-storm period can’t be ignored.

In Carbon Monoxide: A Stealthy Killer I wrote in depth on the issue, but a few tips from the CDC include:

Prevention Guidelines

You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Do have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

Do install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911.

Do seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.

Don't use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.

Don't run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.

Don't burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented.

Don't heat your house with a gas oven.

And as a last stop on our preparedness tour, a visit to the CDC’s Emergency Preparedness and Response website, which provides advice on a variety of post-storm topics including electrical and fire hazards, mosquitoes, mold, unstable buildings and structures, and the dangers posed by wild and stray animals.

Prevent and Treat Other Illnesses and Injuries After a Hurricane or Flood

While many believe the worst will be over once the storm has passed, in truth, often the biggest challenges are found during the days and weeks that follow.

For more preparedness information I would invite you to visit: