published: Friday, September 05, 2008

Keep your guard up during storm season

We may have been spared the brunt of the damage from Hurricane Gustav, but central Florida is definitely not out of the woods this hurricane season.

Fortunately, our local responders are preparing to meet the needs of area citizens.

Their reaction to Tropical Storm Fay was a good example.

Emergency management officials were quick to open shelters and provide sandbags to residents and businesses, once it was clear the storm was going to affect this area. After the storm hit, the only heavily affected area was in the far northeastern portion of Lake County, where citizens in Astor dealt with rising floodwaters from the St. Johns River.

So for the most part, however, Lake and Sumter counties dodged a potential disaster. The silver lining is in the high degree of preparation which preceded the storm.

We may well feel the effects of Hanna, which has bounced back and forth between tropical storm and hurricane status as it heads for the Bahamas. In addition, Tropical Storm Ike could become a factor.

Consequently, residents and businesses must to continue to stay on alert and would be wise to heed these hurricane preparation tips from the American Red Cross.

When a hurricane watch is issued:

n Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.

n Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.

n Fill your car's gas tank.

n Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.

n Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

When a hurricane warning is issued:

n Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

n Complete preparation activities.

n If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.

n Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.