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Care and Wisdom Needed During Sandy Recovery
People wait in line to fill containers with fuel at a Shell gas station Oct. 30, 2012, in Edison, N.J. FEMA head Craig Fugate said during a press conference before Hurricane Sandy that he hopes people will make safety their top priority after the storm, as well as during it. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
FEMA head Craig Fugate said during a press conference before Hurricane Sandy that he hopes people will make safety their top priority after the storm, as well as during it.
“Sometimes you see people prepare well, weather a storm, then lose their lives afterward in an accident,” said Fugate. As the states begin to rebuild after the historic storm, people should pay attention to the hazards that come with enduring and recovering from the disaster.
Knowing when the weather will be dangerous and when it is safe to travel again saves countless lives, according to Charlie Wax, professor of meteorology and climatology at Mississippi State University.
“Our program is all about education and awareness: that’s what brings down the death rates,” said Wax in a statement from the university. “Having a general understanding of the risks associated helps you be more prepared.”
Even on Oct. 30 and 31, as the storm breaks up, there are areas people should avoid. Floods are extremely hazardous.
People should continue to listen to NOAA weather radios in the days after a storm because heavy rainfall or dangerous flooding can continue after a hurricane, as it did after Hurricane Katrina.
According to Ready.gov, the federal government’s emergency preparedness website, one should drive only as necessary in the days after a disaster. Be wary of weakened bridges, walls, and washed out roads. Look carefully for downed power lines—they could be live. Do not touch or enter standing water—it could be hiding downed power lines and thus carry a dangerous electrical charge.
“Our program is all about education and awareness: that’s what brings down the death rates.”
– Charlie Wax, professor of meteorology and climatology at Mississippi State University
Floodwater can also carry toxins or pathogens. Do not let children play near standing water or near flooding streams. The banks can suddenly collapse.
Never drive into standing water. It could conceal a deeper channel, and a small amount of moving water can carry a car away.
Inspect your home carefully, checking for structural damage, loose power lines, or gas leaks. Do not enter if you doubt the stability of the structure or if you smell gas. Both FEMA and the American Red Cross can help with temporary shelter.
Do not use candles. Use flashlights, and turn the flashlight on before entering for the first time. A spark from turning on a flashlight could ignite leaking gas, according to Ready.gov.
Keep pets under close control, so that they are not hurt by debris or by wild creatures, and do not let pets enter water.
Wild animals can be displaced by storms. Use a stick to poke through debris so that hidden animals are dislodged. Stand back and allow wild creatures to escape.
Those without power should handle food safety carefully, and heating even more carefully. A closed freezer will keep food safe for about 48 hours, but once the freezer is opened the clock runs faster. Cook the best things first. Cheer everyone up with a good meal. Then switch to nonperishables.
A generator is only safe if it runs outside the house. Even in a garage, a generator can create deadly carbon monoxide.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
2012-10-31 01:37:00
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