With storms possibly coming this direction and peak season upon us, protect your family’s safety and your property and get ready for nasty weather.
Don’t forget the lessons of Hurricane Hugo, which devastated St. Croix 20 years ago this September. Winds from storms whose centers are as far away as 200 miles can cause damage. Periods of severe activity can last a full day. A hurricane watch usually takes place 36 hours before a possible impact. A hurricane warning means a hurricane is expected to strike within 24 hours.
When a storm is bearing down:
— Be sure your house is ready, with hurricane shutters and supplies;
— Have a detailed plan ready that the whole family is familiar with;
— Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, a first-aid kit and other essentials; and
— make sure relatives on and off island know where you are likely to be and how best to try to contact you.
Your emergency-supply kit should have essentials to last at least three days, if not a week. Plan on a gallon a day of bottled water, plus plenty of canned food, a radio and a well-stocked first-aid kit. Good items to have include Band-Aids, gauze pads, adhesive tape, Merthiolate, antibiotic cream, roll bandages, medical alcohol, peroxide, Benadryl and aspirin.
The American Red Cross had an excellent emergency kit with most of what you’ll need all together in a small, red duffle bag for only $25. It has a blanket, a basic first-aid kit, flashlight, toiletries and a dense packet of emergency rations sufficient, they say, to feed a family of six for three days, plus a bunch of other handy items. All you need to add is bottles of water, extra batteries and a radio. You can get one at the Red Cross offices in Castle Coakley. Their telephone number is 778-5104.
If you live in a sturdy house somewhat inland, you may be able to weather a storm at home, in an interior room, away from windows. Pay attention to storm alerts and public notices on television and radio.
To get your home ready:
— tie down or secure items outside of your house so they don’t become flying missiles;
— fill your gas tank and any extra containers in case power failures close gas stations;
— check your flashlights and make sure you have fresh batteries;
— check batteries and oil in cars and boats; and
— cover or protect glass windows and doors and secure doors so they can’t blow open.
If you own a generator, check it monthly and make sure you have fresh gas at least every six months. Have heavy-duty extension cords on hand to handle the load safely. Keep at least two good fire extinguishers in your house and check them periodically.
Plug cistern inlets before a storm to avoid excessive overflow and contamination of water supply. Make sure you have a safe, dry place for important papers. Fill the tub and spare containers for washing and flushing. If the power goes off, keep refrigerators and freezers closed and covered. Shut off all circuit breakers until power is restored.
Draw drapes and criss-cross glass patio doors with duct tape to minimize danger of flying glass. Remove and store screens so they don’t blow off. Don’t seal the house completely, as sudden major drops in atmospheric during hurricanes can blow out walls and doors. If you are staying in the house, keep track of the wind direction and leave a window cracked on the opposite side of the house.
Don’t go outside during lulls in the storm and stay away from the shoreline. A marine VHF radio can provide communication when telephones and cell phones are down. If you go to a shelter, bring food, blankets, pillows, something to sit on, a cooler, prescriptions, trash bags and everything you might need to camp for several days except a tent. Bring toilet paper, wash cloths, trash bags and a bucket, if you can. Profuse thanks to Tom Archibald of Water Island, whose many good storm prep suggestions are included here.
St. Croix’s shelters are Claude O. Markoe School in Frederiksted and St. Croix Educational Complex on Queen Mary Highway.
St. Croix Emergency Phone Numbers
For all emergencies: call 911, or by cell phone call 772-9111
Juan F. Luis Hospital: 778-6311
V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA): 773-2244
Red Cross: 778-5104
V.I. Water and Power Authority: 773-0150 or 773-2250, then press 2 for water outages or 7 for electrical
Police non-emergency: 778-2211
Fire Department administration: 773-8050
To report a toxic chemical or oil spill: 800-424-8802
Anguilla Landfill: 778-1231
