Idalia intensifies into a 'catastrophic' storm: Here is how to stay safe, prepare for hurricane season and evacuations
US National Hurricane Center has reported that Tropical Storm Idalia has intensified into a hurricane and is currently advancing toward the Gulf coast of Florida.
«Idalia is Now a Hurricane. Expected to Rapidly Intensify Into an Extremely Dangerous Major Hurricane Before Landfall On Wednesday,» the weather agency said.
As we approach the hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic and the Caribbean, it's important to be well-prepared for potential natural calamities.
Hurricanes are not confined to coastal areas; their impact can extend hundreds of miles inland.
Experts caution that a storm does not need to be a major hurricane to cause damage, and extreme flooding and winds can occur hundreds of miles inland, not just on the coastline.
When a hurricane is poised to make landfall, and authorities issue an evacuation order, you may not have much time before you leave to protect your home and your family from the storm — and from flooding.
Here’s what you can do to get ready ahead of time.
BEFORE THE STORM
Make a Family Plan: Prepare an emergency kit, including cash, prescription medicines and three days’ worth of food and water (for people and pets). If your house floods and you can’t return immediately, this is essential.
Be sure to consider provisions for those with special needs, like older people.
If you live in a coastal area, it’s important to become familiar with community evacuation plans, evacuation zones and evacuation routes.
And plan a meeting spot for your family. Deanna Frazier, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said that forgetting to do so was one of the most common mistakes when Hurricane Harvey landed as a Category 4 hurricane in Texas in 2017.
