Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Drones, Tools And Hurricane Preparedness

Learning more to response to hurricane disasters faster

Read an interesting article about a small 28-lb aircraft that will help scientists learn more about the nature from the closest point to earth about 500 feet up into the hurricane itself. Since it is too dangerous to send a human staffed aircraft into the extremely intense turbulence of a hurricane a drone is able to collect raw that until now was impossible to do.

The good news is that this hurricane information can be studies immediately at ‘on the ground’ science centers an even earlier detection of serious conditions can make emergency evacuation possible earlier. It can also tell just how severe the hurricane is so that it gives people more information to consider what precautions they need to take.

Hurricane evaluation science is advancing a rapid rate. Thank goodness for that. It will take a lot more of the guessing out. Science data is of immense help to everyone concerned. Yet having that information from a hurricane does not stop a hurricane form continuing its deadly path of destruction. It only gives folks in the area more information about he monster that is about to come for an unwelcome visit! No matter how much we think we are powerful we are not strong enough to change the direction or impact of a hurricane no matter how hard we try.

So it is nice to KNOW what is facing us and it will help to make decisions about safety procedures easier and more accurate how ever the basics of hurricane preparedness is still a MUST. We can get all the information in the world about the details of a hurricane but when it hits and it will hit, there is no substitute for hurricane preparedness.

My concern is that we will be so lulled by a mild 2007 hurricane season in the US and this new technology that the general public will be mislead into thinking that there is no need to be fully prepared for a hurricane. Having a high tech drone is not going to save us form the wind, pelting rain and storm surge. These will be just as destructive no matter if we know al about the inner workings of a hurricane or not.

So a drone or any other science for right now does not get us off the hook for gathering as much disaster preparedness information as well can all year long. It is important that we take the time to consider and research the emergency preparedness tips that are out there. It is not just the aspect of considering if they are sound advice or not, it is necessary to consider if they are viable for you and your household situation.

Thee drones can tell disaster specialists that a major hurricane is about to hit your region and they emergency response officers call for a mass evacuation in order to save lives. Everyone can start packing up and leaving but what is the quality of their hurricane preparedness? Its like eating a prime rib dinner with all the fixings or a cold hotdog on a soggy bun! It is up to each person to determine what kind of hurricane disaster they are willing to accept for themselves and their loved ones.

By making up comprehensive emergency preparedness plans for each member of your household including the pets, you have a better chance of getting that ‘prime rib dinner’. Your chances improve even more when you collect all the emergency preparedness necessities that each person in your household needs.

It’s frankly too late to start to prepare adequately for a hurricane when the weather station first sees a hurricane! Oh yea there is time to get the basics perhaps. The basics are better than nothing. BUT, that is the same as a soggy hotdog!

October 28th is Hurricane Preparedness Review Day. It is a day when all are asked to review what they have on hand for a hurricane. It means getting an emergency preparedness checklist of what you want to rotate in your supplies and what can be saved for next year.

So many people think that hurricane preparedness is so expensive. Yes I guess it can be with fancy all pre-prepared kits. But frankly many, if not most of these kits are over prices and under supply prepared. Oh they are good as an emergency supplement to your other disaster preparedness action I guess if you want to take something to work that is compact. But I would not suggest getting all those military MRE dinners that you and your family may or may not want to eat.

To be ready for a hurricane takes creativity, reasonable efforts, consistent to prepare with a whole lot of common sense for every ounce of effort and money spent. Much of the hurricane preparedness supplies can be picked-up at discount stores and most likely even thrift stores. No one needs to take out a second loan on the house or sell Grandma’s gold teeth to get prepared!

The good news is that you don’t need to be a bushy bearded, flannel wearing camouflage dressed person with a raccoon hat to be well stocked for what a hurricane can bring. Normal, ordinary people, every day are picking up a box of powered milk, an extra jar of peanut butter, a few extra rolls of toilet paper, to name a few of the items that are needed

Remember that many of those who are selling the fancy emergency preparedness kits with the ‘extra safety whistle, flashlight, protein bars and weather radios are also preparing to make a killing on the profit side! Think about it with a little time and effort (both free to most people on their days off from work) can purchase those kinds of items at a dollar store or on eBay for a whole lot cheaper price.

Will it take some of you time to gather the hurricane supplies? Sure but in the end you will KNOW that you have designed not a cookie cutter disaster kit that is suppose to meet your needs. It WILL be designed by YOU and your household and it will be what you need to face down a hurricane disaster situation.

We are almost finished with the 2007 hurricane season. Now is the time to reflect on how well prepared are you now and what are ways to start to get even better prepared for next year.


COMMENTS WELCOMED!


Please share your thoughts, emergency preparedness tips and stories here on this blog.


All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Be Safe

Terrie

www.trainforahurricane.com

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