Preparing for a Natural Disaster; A Hurricane

Many persons do not take disaster preparedness seriously until the event is upon them.
There are various measures to be taken in order to prepare for an expected natural
disaster. What is a natural disaster? A natural disaster is a major adverse event,
resulting from natural processes of the Earth, such as hurricanes, flooding,
earthquakes, tornadoes, etc., that can result in the destruction of property and death of
many individuals. The natural disaster which we are focussing on is hurricanes. A
hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is basically a storm with violent winds that
are formed in the tropics, (Caribbean). Hurricanes range from category 1-5 which
ranges from 74-95 mph to over 155 mph.They are measured on the Saffir- Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale. They are also one of the most common disasters along with
earthquakes in the Caribbean.How to prepare for a hurricane? There are several
measures that must be taken in preparation of a hurricane:

Firstly evacuation of coastal areas. Houses that are built along the coast are very
dangerous to reside in, when one is experiencing a hurricane. A hurricane develops in
the sea, so it is expected that the sea will be rough. When you fail to evacuate your
coastal home during a hurricane, the sea water will rise and flood your home and you
may not be able to escape. Also if there are any other water bodies nearby, they will
also rise and merge with the sea water, causing massive flooding, which can lead to
death. This is why evacuating areas near the coast or any water bodies, such as a
lagoon is very important for your chance of survival.
Secondly storing water. Storing 5 gallons of water for each member of your family is
important. Many people cannot live without having water, it is a must for them. During a
hurricane, the direct water supply may be cut for a couple days or weeks. Some people
may have to turn to wells which may be dried out. When you don’t store up on water for
a hurricane, you probably won’t have any to drink, to use for cooking or to wash yourself
with/ freshen up.
Thirdly stocking up on non-perishable goods and emergency supplies , this ranges
from canned foods to a first aid kit. Non-perishable foods such as nuts, crackers,
canned foods, etc., have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration. When you don’t
stock up on non-perishable goods and grocery stores suffer damage from the hurricane
or people inflict damage on the stores and they are then closed for weeks or months,
you won’t be able to obtain any goods and people need to eat. Many people might also
obtain injuries during a hurricane and not all services might be immediately available, so
having a first aid kit is important for it may help in saving someone’s life.
Fourthly buying candles, flashlights, battery operated fans, etc. During a hurricane the
power may go out and remain out for weeks and sometimes months. The
island/country, an entire neighbourhood or household may be without electricity. Failure
to follow this measure may result in a lack source of light . you will be forced to rely
solely on the sun as a source of light .
Lastly, installing storm shutters to protect your windows, making sure exterior doors are
hurricane proof and cutting down trees near the home is very important in preparing for
a hurricane. By doing this, it is less likely that windows won’t be blown in and the doors
won’t be torn off. Also when you cut down the trees near your home, they won’t be able
to fall due to strong hurricane winds and block one’s path, in case of an emergency or
evacuation. It also prevents further damage to be done to the house.

In conclusion, a natural disaster is a sudden and terrible event in nature that can lead to
destruction and death.Many people do not take into consideration the adverse effects of
not preparing for a natural disaster; in this case a hurricane. When one doesnot follow
the important measures that must be taken in preparation for a hurricane, such as the
ones listed and described above, it may lead to massive destruction of homes along
with flooding and death. One should always be prepared for a natural disaster, no
matter how small or great it may be.