Emergency preparedness should never erode!

Hurricane preparedness is important no matter the case and effect

North County Eroding away is a very interesting article. It is amazing how everything is so connected including the weather.

It is important to understand the cause and effect of how our weather occurs. It is also vitally important to not just understand how the weather operates but also how we need to be prepared for all kinds of weather. I agree with May when he says: “Nothing is for sure with the ocean and weather. Some years, we have just as heavy rain and damage in south county as north county. But north county gets the worst,” he said. “Usually.”

We all know that not every year we will get significant storm events but every year we need to be prepared for mild to horrific storms. So often we get lazy and do not prepare.

There are those like May who have risked their lives to help save others for more years than any one can count. Yet we can not just depend on them (life guards, emergency response specialists. the National Guard or FEMA etc) to rescue us. We need to be responsible for our own well being and do several things.

First — Stay out of harms way if at all possible. That means don’t go swimming in a rip tide. Your life is important as well as that of the life guard or other emergency response specialist that is trying to protect you.

Second —Be disaster prepared all the time. This means that your have a sound and well thought-out emergency preparedness checklist and at disaster kits for each of your family / household members including infants and children and pets. These emergency preparedness kits need to be established with specific needs in mind for each person and pet.

Third — Have a well thought out evacuation plan. I am always amazed when an evacuation is called that people throw some of their important belongs into the car load of the kids and hopefully the pets and head off down the highway. When interview many say they will find a hotel or motel to stop off at like they are the only ones on the highway! 1.9 million evacuated Louisiana when facing down Hurricane Gustav last week. Many were significantly unprepared with no idea of where to go for emergency shelter if they could not find a hotel or motel. That is so dangerous. Cars and SUVs are no place to be in the midst and any Category hurricane! Know at three different places you can arrange to be at in the face of any type of emergency from wildfires to hurricanes.

Fourth — Get as much disaster preparedness information as possible and keep those helpful emergency preparedness tips available in your vehicle at all times. Emergency preparedness is something that should be a 24-7 – 365 process to keep everyone safe and sound and out of harms way.

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 – Be Prepared – Help Others!

Terrie

North County eroding away?

By Bill DiPaolo | Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 03:38 PM

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/stormblog/

Why does north Palm Beach County get stronger winds and more powerful waves and tides?

Blame the Bahamas, says Don May, the chief of Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue.

May has been a lifeguard in the county for 20 years, so he knows of what he speaks.

If you drew a straight west from the northern end of the Bahamas, the line will hit at about Donald Ross Road. When there is a storm churning big waves and winds in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas, the islands — usually, said May — act as a breakwater for Palm Beach County south of about Donald Ross Road.

“That’s why we get bigger waves, stronger winds and more erosion,” said May. “We don’t have the protection the Bahamas give to the south part of the county.”

Right now, the main erosion in north county is at Coral Cove Park, just south of the Martin County line, and Loggerhead Park, just north of Donald Ross Road. Rip tides have been reported around Juno Beach Pier, but the erosion on both sides of the 990-foot-long concrete and wood fishing platform has been minor. Ocean Rescue officials are considering moving a lifeguard stand back from the ocean if the waves and wind continue to strengthen, said May.

Overall, said May, there is one thing he has learned in his 20 years with Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue and 40 years as a lifeguard. The 57-year-old started as a lifeguard on the Jersey Shore when he was a teenager.

“Nothing is for sure with the ocean and weather. Some years, we have just as heavy heavy rain and damage in south county as north county. But north county gets the worst,” he said. “Usually.”