News

Preparing for an Active Hurricane Season (August 6, 2020)

Details: Published: Monday, 22 March 2021 07:49

prepare for hurricanes before they happen Did you know that the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is listed as “extremely active”? Last year, Hurricane Dorian was named on August 24 and this year, the D-named storm, Hurricane Dolly was named on June 20. This year, it is predicted there will be 19-25 named storms, 7-11 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes.

Dolly was named on June 20. This year, it is predicted there will be 19-25 named storms, 7-11 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes. Like any hazard, knowing the risks helps you plan to make your family and pets safer. Some hazards that can be expected during a hurricane include winds, rain, power outages, storm surge, coastal and/or inland flooding, road closures, evacuations, supply shortages, or downed trees.

stock up

The lineup for propane refills at a Costco store in Halifax spans the entire parking lot ahead of Dorian in September 2019. (Eric Wooliscroft/CBC)

Hurricanes are often predicted one or two days in advance so stay informed on social media, radio, and television.
Plan to “Shelter in Place” as you may be without power for at least 72 hours.
Stock up and have supplies in advance. The day before Hurricane Dorian made landfall in Nova Scotia, stores were flooded with people stocking up. If a hurricane hits this year, due to COVID stores may have limited stock, lineups will be longer as store capacity is reduced. Plan ahead.
Trees may have fallen during the storm. Never approach or touch a tree that is near a downed power line. Stay back at least 10 meters or a school bus distance away from wires or anything in contact with them. Just because there is no power to your house, does not mean that the lines do not have energy running through them.
If there is damage to the power mast attached to your home, it must be fixed before power can be restored. Visit Nova Scotia Power: Outage Centre to see what is your responsibility.
If you use a generator, do not use it inside a building. It needs proper ventilation.
Never drive or walk through flooded roadways. Only six inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult down, and about 12 inches of moving water can sweep away most vehicles. There may also be holes or lines under the water that cannot be seen. Turn Around Don’t Drown.
Don’t go down to the water to watch the storm. A rogue wave or surf can sweep you away and it may be unsafe for first responders to get to you.
Officials may ask you to leave or evacuate. If you choose to stay it may be too unsafe for first responders to reach you.
Text and emails use less bandwidth than calling or streaming social media. To reduce network congestion immediately after an emergency, avoid streaming videos, downloading entertainment, or playing video games.

Start now to prepare for your family and pets. Don’t wait until the arrival of a hurricane to prepare. Make or get an Emergency Kit that will support your family and pets for at least 72 hours.

For more information, please email .