Besides Hurricane Winds

So often when we think of a hurricane we think of the torrential rain and the horrific winds that can blow a house a part in a matter of moments. Well that is true and something to be concerned about if your area is under a hurricane situation.

Yet even when a tropical storm has not officially reached a hurricane status and is called a tropical depression or storm it is still a dangerous situation. You see, it is not only the hurricane winds that affect a community. There is great danger of a tornado hitting the area when the weather conditions are affected by a tropical storm occurrence.

Besides the hurricane, the tornado can even be believe it or not even more destructive. With a hurricane you know days in advance that a hurricane is possibly headed for your area. You have time to do your hurricane preparations and if necessary to seek hurricane evacuation shelter elsewhere when necessary. In a tornado ituation, that is a very different story.

In a tornado you may have only moments to seek emergency shelter and it can blow not only roofs off but whole houses and buildings can disappear in the blink of an eye. Tornados can be as dangerous as a hurricane. Tornados are often associated with conditions that are also ripe for a hurricane or a tropical storm. They are nothing to play with. Tornados may not last as long as a hurricane while it is passing over head but if a tornado touches down, the destruction can have the same affect as a hurricane perhaps even worse at times. No matter if a hurricane or a tornado the disaster pain and suffering that can be experienced by all those who survive a weather disaster can be painful for months and even years.

We have no control over the weather, BUT we do have control over how we act as human beings expecially concerning potential weather disasters. We can ignore the possibility of a weather realted disaster hitting our region and community in general and even more so deny the possibly that it could affect us personally. That is one option. A very dangerous and foolish option to be sure.

The other option is to be prepared. For what it would cost for a movie and a bucket of popcorn per month a family of 4 can establish a well prepared home for any disaster that might come their way. If a family is prepared then no matter how long it takes to get the aid agencies and government support to arrive, one thing is very certain and that is the family will not be stranded without anything. They will survive with what they need to make it through a difficult time.

What would you rather have a fleeting memory of a movie and popcorn or a family that is safe and secured? I vote for the family safety!

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past? Please share your thoughts 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

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist