Hurricane Notes

[Savannah Buzz]

I worked in both Hugo and Andrew, and supported research teams in Katrina. Thought a few notes might be of interest to those who plan to explore the damaged areas or travel in areas nearby. 1. Have cash money, most stores depend on data dish on roof for plastic to work, these get blown out of alignment. What stations are open run out of gas. Fill up often, don't get below 1/2 tank. 2. Any wire on the ground, or low hanging, should be considered energized. Don't risk it, you probably don't have a "hot stick" or the special gloves high line guys use to handle this stuff. It ain't DIY. 3. Worth carrying a bow saw or chain saw with you, and tow strap, in case trees block roadway. Roads near houses will be littered with roof shingles and roofing tacks, hundreds of rubber neckers will have all four tires flat. 4. Thinking about "wading" that water - not so good an idea if it is brackish salt water, or if there are unexpected drop offs just carved by the storm. Salt water causes an amazing level of damage to electronics, even just from pools on the roadway. Wash out underside once you leave impact area. 5. Carry your own beverages, ice, paper towels, toilet paper, food, permitted weapons, first aid kit, flat fix. The after storm environment is harsh. Obey any police or official signs that block off areas. 6. Power will be off for a number of days or weeks depending on storm level. If you set up a portable generator, run the loads on extension cords, or a transfer switch. Don't hot wire into the breaker panel in the house, your 120V generator can back feed up the power line transformers to thousands of volts, killing workers tryng to get it back on. Don't run generator inside, carbon monoxide will circulate in house, even if generator is in the basement or garage. If outside the house, put a chain on it if you don't want it to run away.