1 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:08,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to Brainstuff, a production of iHeartRadio, Hey Brainstuff, Lauren Vogelbaum. 2 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: Here along the East coast of the United States down 3 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: through Central America and the Caribbean, hurricane season is the 4 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:21,439 Speaker 1: period from about June through November when tropical storms are 5 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 1: most likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean and make 6 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: their way to land. If you've ever lived in a 7 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: place that sees a lot of these storms, it probably 8 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,920 Speaker 1: takes a lot to rattle you. But whenever the National 9 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: Weather Service issues a hurricane watch, it means that hurricane 10 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: force winds are possible in the area within thirty six hours. 11 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: That's winds of seventy four miles per hour or above, 12 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: which is one hundred and nineteen kilometers per hour, which 13 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: means it can't hurt. To batten down the proverbial hatches 14 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 1: and fill up your car's gas tank just in case 15 00:00:54,920 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: of an evacuation order. So what does that entail? You 16 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 1: want to make sure that there's nothing in your yard 17 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: or on your porch that could get picked up and 18 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 1: flung by the wind. Toys, furniture, bikes, grills, and garbage 19 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: cans can all become airborne projectiles during a hurricane. You 20 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: can further protect yourself in your home by closing up 21 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: storm shutters if you have them, or boarding up your windows. 22 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: It's also good to make sure that you know what 23 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 1: local shelter locations are available and withdraw some cash in 24 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,120 Speaker 1: case you need it during a power outage, which will 25 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: take down ATMs. If a hurricane warning is issued that 26 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 1: means hurricane force winds are expected within twelve hours. At 27 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 1: that point, you might want to crank any refrigerators you 28 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 1: have to their coldest settings so that any food in 29 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 1: them will last a bit longer in case of a 30 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: power outage. It's also time to start implementing whatever family 31 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: plan you have in place. More on how to make 32 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: one in a minute, but it's basically making sure everyone 33 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 1: is accounted for and has the necessities packed in case 34 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:01,560 Speaker 1: an evacuation order comes through, and making reservations if your 35 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: plan involves going to or meeting at a hotel or 36 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 1: motel in a safe area should your area receive an 37 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 1: evacuation order, leaving as soon as possible will help prevent 38 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: getting stuck in traffic, but if you have time, disconnect 39 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 1: some major appliances so that there's less risk of electrical 40 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:23,440 Speaker 1: shock when the power comes back and turn off the gas, electricity, 41 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: and water before you leave. Make sure you have all 42 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: important papers and documents with you, ID insurance policies, wills, 43 00:02:32,160 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: as well as all medications you take or might need. 44 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: You can also put together an emergency kit in advance, 45 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,920 Speaker 1: with basics like food, water, and flashlights. More on that 46 00:02:41,919 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: than a minute too. If you have an emergency kit, 47 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: it's always good to bring it, even if you're expecting 48 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:50,640 Speaker 1: to have supplies on hand at a shelter or other destination. 49 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:57,639 Speaker 1: The closest possible evacuation destination is ideal. The best case 50 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 1: scenario is often a friend or relative who lives in 51 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 1: your area but doesn't have to evacuate. If you don't 52 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 1: have to evacuate, or if for some reason you can't, 53 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 1: you might decide to hunker down and ride out the 54 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: hurricane at home. First and foremost, remember that most people 55 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 1: who get hurt during a hurricane get injured by flying 56 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: debris and glass, So don't go outside. Even if it 57 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,240 Speaker 1: seems like the storm is over. You might actually be 58 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 1: in the eye of the storm, and you could be 59 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 1: stranded outside when the winds pick up again. Before you 60 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,840 Speaker 1: gather in a safe room in the interior of your home. 61 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:37,280 Speaker 1: Fill up a bathtub and any spare container is with water. 62 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,080 Speaker 1: You can use that tub water for washing and flushing 63 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: the toilets. If you have a spare bathtub, especially one 64 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,040 Speaker 1: towards the interior of your home, you might want to 65 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 1: leave it empty. Tubs are always a good place to 66 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 1: take shelter if you cover yourself with blankets. If you're 67 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: trapped in a building that's flooding, go to the highest 68 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: level that you can, but don't climb into a closed 69 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: attic where you could become trapped by riseing water. If 70 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: you do encounter flooding water, don't walk, swim, or drive 71 00:04:05,600 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: through it. Even just six inches that's fifteen centimeters, a 72 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: fast moving water can knock you down one foot that's 73 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: thirty centimeters of moving water could sweep your car away. 74 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 1: Turn around and try another route. But okay. Back to 75 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:26,279 Speaker 1: family plans and emergency kits. For a family plan, you're 76 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: looking to make sure everyone in your household knows what 77 00:04:28,880 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: to do and where to go in case of a hurricane. 78 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: So identify a safe room in your house where everyone 79 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 1: can gather. If you're sitting at a storm, it should 80 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: be an interior room. Preferably a bathroom or in the basement. 81 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: Stay flexible, though, and be ready to move to an 82 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: upper floor in case of flooding, but also think of 83 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 1: safe places to meet in the event of a hurricane 84 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,840 Speaker 1: if you're unable to stay in your home, whether it's 85 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 1: a motel, a friend's house, or a shelter, the shorter 86 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: the trip the better, but if you have pets, make 87 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: sure they can accommodated. Memorize evacuation roots to get there 88 00:05:03,480 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: from your home, office, or school, and have all emergency 89 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:11,480 Speaker 1: phone numbers stored in everyone's cell phones. This should include 90 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:13,679 Speaker 1: an out of state friend or relative that the whole 91 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: family can use as a point of contact. For your 92 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 1: emergency kit, you should include enough water and non perishable 93 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,679 Speaker 1: food for each person for three to seven days. Everyone 94 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: should have a gallon of water per day. You'll also 95 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,919 Speaker 1: want a week's worth of clothing, medications, BATA supplies, and 96 00:05:30,960 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 1: pet items, and any personal hygiene items that you each use. 97 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: After that, some basic tools and other supplies that may 98 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,840 Speaker 1: come in handy, including flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, 99 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 1: a weather radio, a multi purpose tool, cell phone chargers, 100 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:48,719 Speaker 1: a manual can opener, paper cups, and plates, plastic utensils, 101 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 1: water purification tablets, moist tablets, and garbage bags. You can 102 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: also include copies of important personal documents, insurance paperwork, and 103 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: your pet's vaccination records. A ninety nine percent of your 104 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: job will be complete once you've secured your home, figured 105 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 1: out your plan, and stocked your emergency kit. At the 106 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,839 Speaker 1: start of hurricane season every year, double check your supplies 107 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: and replace batteries to ensure that you'll be ready to 108 00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: hit the ground running if a tropical storm does come 109 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 1: your way. Once a storm has passed, it's always tempting 110 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: to go outside and see what's going on, but wait 111 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: until the authorities give the all clear signal, and even then, 112 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 1: watch for hazards like downed power lines, damage structures or 113 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 1: trees that might fall, and broken glass or other debris. 114 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: If you need to start cleaning up, wear protective clothing, shoes, gloves, 115 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:45,919 Speaker 1: and goggles. Don't touch electrical equipment if it's wet or 116 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 1: if you're standing in water. Turn off the electricity at 117 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: your home's main breaker, and don't wade in flood water. 118 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: There could be downed lines or dangerous debris that you 119 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:59,479 Speaker 1: can't see. The phone lines could be down or overloaded 120 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: at this time time, try text or social media to 121 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,799 Speaker 1: talk to loved ones. Document property damage with your phone 122 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: or another camera. Contact your insurance agent as soon as 123 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: you can to report any damage. By the way, you'll 124 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 1: want to read your homeowner's insurance policy closely before a 125 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: storm hits. A flood damage isn't usually covered, so you'll 126 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: probably need to take out a separate flood insurance policy 127 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 1: from the federal government's National Flood Insurance Program. If you 128 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: live in a hurricane country, depending on how long you 129 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:34,760 Speaker 1: are without power, inspect the food in your freezer to 130 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 1: see if it's safe to eat. Don't drink tap water 131 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,120 Speaker 1: until told it's okay to do so by the authorities. 132 00:07:40,680 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: In the meantime, boil water at a roiling boil for 133 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 1: one minute, or use water purification tablets. If you have 134 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 1: a portable gas powered generator, use it outside on a 135 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: dry and level surface. Never use it indoors, and never 136 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 1: pour gas into it while it's running. And of course, 137 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: once you safely get through a storm, it's important to 138 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: make sure that you're ready for the next one. During 139 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: the off season, make sure your plans are updated and 140 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:11,560 Speaker 1: your emergency kit is refreshed, and if you own your home, 141 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: make sure you keep up with any repairs, tree or 142 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: landscaping work and window protection that you'll need for the 143 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: coming season. And hey, stay safe out there. Today's episode 144 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: is based on the article how to Prepare for Hurricane 145 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: on HowStuffWorks dot com, written by Alison Cooper and John Partano. 146 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: Brain Stuff is production of iHeartRadio in partnership with how 147 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 1: Stuffworks dot Com, and it is produced by Tyler Klang. 148 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:40,640 Speaker 1: But four more podcasts my heart Radio. Visit the iHeartRadio app, 149 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.