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The City of Myrtle Beach
is prepared in the event a hurricane or other disaster strikes. This page
contains information about the preparations citizens and visitors should
take in the event a hurricane threatens our coast. The Disaster
Operations Center phone number is 843-918-1400,
but this number is active only when a storm threatens. Information
about evacuation routes also is available.
Please see our
Basic Disaster Preparedness Plan for
information about general disaster preparedness, and our
Weather page for local and tropical weather
information. Two other sites of interest are the
National Hurricane Center and the
National Hurricane
Center-Graphics page.
WHAT IS A HURRICANE?
Hurricanes are large storms
that develop over the ocean, spinning in a counter-clockwise circle and
moving across the water. Some hurricanes stay out over the ocean, but
others move toward shore and come onto the land.
When a hurricane hits land, it
brings very strong winds--more than 75 miles an hour--rain, high waves,
flooding and, sometimes, tornadoes. Even places far inland from the ocean
may feel the impact of a hurricane with rain and flooding. The National
Weather Service watches our ocean waters all the time to spot hurricanes
when they begin. Then satellites and special hurricane-hunter airplanes
are used to track the storms as they move.
Hurricanes usually occur
between June 1 and November 30. This page offers some suggestions on what
you and your family can do before, during and after a hurricane. Check
this list each spring to be better prepared for the hurricane season.
BEFORE THE HURRICANE SEASON
BEGINS:
Stock Your Home
It's a good idea to keep a
stock of food, water, and supplies in your home. You can help your family
be better prepared for any emergency if you have these supplies. Water.
Most people need at least one quart of water or other liquid to drink each
day, but more would be better. You should also have extra containers of
water for washing. Store water in plastic, airtight containers and change
them every two months to be sure the water is pure.
Food
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Supplies should include
healthy, high-energy foods that do not need to be refrigerated or cooked
to eat. Stock enough to feed you and your family for up to three days.
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A suggested supply of foods
for emergencies includes:
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whole dry milk
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canned fruit juices canned
meats and fish like vienna sausage, meat spread, or tuna meat
substitutes like beans bread and crackers peanut butter dried fruits dry
cereals
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granola bars or cookies
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Place paper or waxed
packages in a water-tight container, such as a large plastic bag. This
will keep them dry and make them easier to carry.
Supplies and Equipment:
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Keep the following items in
one place so you can get to them easily:
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A battery-operated radio
(with extra batteries)
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A flashlight (with extra
batteries)
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Blankets or sleeping bags
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Paper plates and utensils,
including a bottle and can opener Candles and matches (in a waterproof
container) or an oil or kerosene lantern
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A toothbrush, toothpaste,
soap and other personal grooming items
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Medicines and a first aid
kit
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Although you have emergency
supplies, don't try to "ride out" a hurricane at home if you are told to
go to a safer place.
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Your local government will
stay in touch with the weather people who track the hurricane. If the
hurricane is coming very close to your town, the mayor or other local
official may decide your family and neighbors should leave and go
somewhere safer. This is called Evacuation.
-
It is very important to
leave when an evacuation is ordered. You will hear about an evacuation
on your local radio or television station. If you are told to evacuate,
your family should leave right away because the heavy rain could flood
the roads.
Plan for Evacuation:
When you evacuate, you may
want to stay with friends or relatives who live in a safer place, away
from the ocean. Or you may go to a public shelter. Public shelters are
usually in buildings like schools or churches. People may stay for a few
hours or overnight. Volunteers, like the Red Cross, set up these shelters
with beds and hot food so people will have a safe place to stay if they
must leave their homes in an emergency.
If your family goes to a
public shelter, the most important items to take are a portable radio,
blankets, an extra change of clothing, and some packaged quick-energy
foods like raisins and granola bars. You may also want to take a book or
small game.
Your family should plan what
they would do if an evacuation is ordered. Some things to do ahead of time
include:
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Keeping the gas tank as full
as possible during hurricane season. In an evacuation, fuel may be hard
to get.
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Arranging a ride with nearby
neighbors or relatives if your family does not have a car.
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Planning in advance to stay
with friends or relatives who live inland on higher ground if you need
to evacuate.
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Learning the recommended
evacuation route from your home to safer, higher ground. Local radio and
television stations will tell you where to go during an evacuation, but
you can learn the safest route ahead of time by calling your local
emergency services office.
WEATHER REPORTS:
The Weather Service tracks
hurricanes and warns people when a hurricane is moving toward shore. They
use two different terms to warn us: HURRICANE WATCH and
HURRICANE WARNING.
A HURRICANE WATCH
means a hurricane might hit your area.
If a HURRICANE WATCH
is issued for your area, keep listening to local radio or television
stations for the latest weather information. There are other things you
can help your family do if you hear a HURRICANE WATCH:
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Be sure the car is fueled
and ready to go, or call the person who agreed to give you a ride.
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Put emergency supplies in
the car or near the front door if you are riding with someone else.
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Put away all those things
on your lawn or patio which could be picked up and carried by the
wind. Lawn chairs, garbage cans, garden tools, toys, signs, and other
harmless items can become dangerous in a hurricane wind.
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Put important papers like
birth and marriage certificates, wills, and insurance papers in a
waterproof container with your food supply or in a safe deposit box at
the bank.
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A HURRICANE WARNING
is issued when a hurricane is expected to hit your town within 24
hours.
EVACUATION:
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When a HURRICANE WARNING
is issued for your area, you and your neighbors may be asked to
evacuate. Local radio and television stations will tell you where to go
and the best roads to take. Your family should leave immediately.
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If your family doesn't have
a car or a ride with someone else, you can get help.
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Your family should leave
right away! Do not wait, especially in areas very near the ocean,
because roads can flood quickly and keep you from leaving.
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Just before you leave your
home run wide waterproof tape from corner to corner in a large "X" on
each window and glass door to keep glass from shattering into very small
pieces. Close and lock windows and glass doors, lowering blinds and
closing curtains in case the windows break. If there is time, you can
nail boards over larger windows. Fill bathtubs and other clean
containers with water in case water lines are damaged by the storm.
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If you live in a building
with elevators, don't use them when you leave. The power could go off
and leave you stranded.
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Mobile homes are not safe
during a hurricane. Even if it is tied down, a mobile home could tip
over in the strong winds of a hurricane.
DURING THE HURRICANE:
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If you are unable to leave
before the hurricane comes, stay inside your house.
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When you are in the house,
stay away from windows and glass doors. Put tape on the windows, or nail
boards over them, and keep curtains and blinds closed. This will protect
you if the glass breaks from the wind.
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Do not be fooled by the
"eye" of the hurricane. Hurricane winds swirl around in a circle,
leaving a hole in the center. In this hole, the weather is very clear
and calm. As the hurricane storm moves along, first one side of the
storm passes over you, then the "eye," then the other side of the storm.
When the "eye" is over you, it means the other side of the storm will be
next.
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Keep listening to your radio
or television for reports on the hurricane.
AFTER THE HURRICANE:
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Your local government will
tell you when it is safe to to back to your home, or to go outside.
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When you get home:
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Look for damage to your
house before you go inside. Watch for loose or dangling electrical power
lines and broken sewer, water, or gas lines. Call your local utility
companies right away if you see any.
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Make sure all electrical
outlets and appliances are dry and free of water before you use them.
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Use your emergency supply of
water or boil tap water before drinking it. Do not drink water from the
faucet until officially notified that it is safe.
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Check the food in your
refrigerator. Without electricity, food in your refrigerator could spoil
in a few hours. Don't eat it. Food in a freezer could thaw a little but
would be safe to eat for several days. Food should not be refrozen once
it begins to thaw.
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Watch for snakes, animals,
and insects. They travel inland to higher ground to escape flood waters.
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By being ready with
emergency supplies, and knowing what to do during a hurricane, you and
your family and friends can be safer if a hurricane comes to your town.
Take action now to be better prepared for hurricane season.
NAMING HURRICANES:
In the past, the exact
latitude-longitude numbers were used to identify hurricanes. Today, we use
male and female names, which are easier to say and cause fewer
identification mistakes when two or more storms occur at the same time.
© Copyright 2004, The City of Myrtle Beach. All rights
reserved.
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