Hurricane season starts Saturday (June 1), and forecasters say it could be a doozy.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center expects between 13 and 20 named storms this year. As many as 11 of these storms could become hurricanes. And of those, six could grow into major hurricanes with wind speeds well over 100 mph.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/30/3424627/florida-braces-for-another-active.html#storylink=cpy
JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) has some tips for safely riding out the storms.
Generators:
If you use a generator, use it outside your home in a well-ventilated area. Fumes from a running generator can be deadly.
Electricity:
If you have to evacuate, do these things first:
- Turn off the circuit breakers for the water heater
- Turn off the power to your home at the main electrical panel,
- Turn off the water to your home at the main service valve.
If you rely on electricity to operate necessary medical equipment contact Duval County Emergency Management at (904) 630-2472 before the power goes out.
If you've got any water or flood damage, check with an electrician to make sure it's safe to restore your power.
If you see a downed electric line:
- Call 911 to report it.
- Keep your distance. You don't have to actually touch a live wire to be electrocuted.
Water and Sewer:
Stay away from any raw sewage and contact JEA at (904) 665-6000 to report sewer overflows.
If you need to boil your water before drinking it but that's not possible, following these steps will make it potable. (Courtesy of the American Red Cross)
- Use regular (not concentrated) bleach to purify water for drinking. Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25 to 6 percent should be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not be any added soap or fragrances.
- Add 16 drops per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix.
- Let stand 30 minutes.
- If the water smells like chlorine, good. Go ahead and use it.
- If the water doesn't smell like chlorine, repeat steps 2 and 3. And if it still doesn't smell like chlorine, throw it out and find another source of water.
- Continue using bottled or disinfected water for drinking and cooking until JEA's water supply has been declared safe.
For more hurricane preparedness tips go to WJCT.ORG
