National Hurricane Situation Page 2011™

HURRICANE INFORMATION

 

This page is devoted to keeping the viewers updated with the latest Hurricane Preparedness information that is available to us. This page is currently being developed and will be updated as soon as new information is available.

This information can be copied and pasted into your word processor to be printed.

Louisiana Spirit is an outreach crisis counseling program designed to address the emotional and mental health needs of those impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Louisiana Spirit is funded by grants from FEMA/SAMHSA through the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Mental Health to Options for Independence. To access these services, just call (866) 295-6495 or (985) 868-2620.

BISCO is everyday and ordinary church people working together with their ministers to effect positive change in the parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne. The mission of BISCO is to build a powerful interfaith, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-issue organization that serves as a voice for all persons in South Louisiana. BISCO makes an effort to eliminate prejudice and fosters the establishment of sound and constructive relationships between all racial, ethnic and social groups. BISCO is a faith based community organized 501 (c) 3 network and is a project of the PICO National Network. For more information call 985-446-5364 or log onto http://www.piconetwork.org.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR FAMILY EMERGENCY PLANNING

1. Have a family meeting to devise a plan.

A. Select an out-of-area evacuation site and/or a location to re-unite in case of separation

B. Select at least two out-of-area contacts from different regions of the country for family members to contact in case of separation.

C. Compile contact information (**Family Emergency Plan) for family members, including those not living at home.

D. Give copies of the Family Emergency Plan (long form and wallet form) to each family member

E. Give copies of the Family Emergency Plan to each of the following:

F. Have practice drills with family members to make sure everyone knows what to do before it becomes necessary.

 

In Case of Emergency Forms (ICE)

 

FOR THE FAMILY OF:_________________________________________________________________________________________

MAIN FAMILY ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________________________________

EVACUATION/REGROUPING LOCATION:________________________________________________________________________

ICE NUMBERS (In Case of Emergency)

Program into your phone as ICE-1 and ICE-2 so emergency personnel reading your phone will know who to contact

1st Out-of-area Contact

2nd Out-of-area Contact

Name:

 Name:
Address: Address:
   
Home Phone: Home Phone:
Work Phone: Work Phone:
Cell Phone: Cell Phone:
e-mail: e-mail:
   

FAMILY INFORMATION

NAME

BIRTH DATE

MEDICAL INFO ON

BACK OF FORM?

USUAL WEEKDAY LOCATION
1.   Yes No  
2.   Yes No  
3.   Yes No  
4.   Yes No  
5.   Yes No  
6.   Yes No  

 

‘s workplace

‘s workplace

‘s workplace

Business: Business: Business:
Address: Address: Address:
Phone: Phone: Phone:
e-mail: e-mail: e-mail:

 

‘s school

‘s school

‘s school

School: School: School:
Address: Address: Address:
Phone: Phone: Phone:
e-mail: e-mail: e-mail:

OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Post important numbers near your telephone or program them into your cell phone
Police: Fire: Ambulance:
Doctor: Insurance: Flood Insurance:

INSURANCE INFORMATION
Company: Type: Policy Number:
Company: Type: Policy Number:
Company: Type: Policy Number:

 

 

MEDICAL INFORMATION

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER: __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NAME:____________________________________________________________________________________________

DIAGNOSES:______________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLERGIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

MEDICATIONS:____________________________________________________________________________________

OTHER:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Special Needs Information

FOR THE FAMILY OF:_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

SECURITY CODE WORD:_____________________________   INSURANCE INFO:_______________________________________

 

MAIN FAMILY ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________________________________

 

EVACUATION/REGROUPING LOCATION:________________________________________________________________________

 

 

ICE NUMBERS (In Case of Emergency)

Program into your phone as ICE-1 and ICE-2 so emergency personnel reading your phone will know who to contact

 

1st Out-of-area Contact

2nd Out-of-area Contact

Name:

Name:

Address:

Address:

 

 

Home Phone:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

Work Phone:

Cell Phone:

Cell Phone:

e-mail:

e-mail:

 

 

 

FAMILY INFORMATION

 

NAME

BIRTHDATE

USUAL WEEKDAY LOCATION      

NOTES

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS INFORMATION

 

 

DIAGNOSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALLERGIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEDICATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT NEEDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

 

 

 

OTHER

 

 

 

NAME:___________________________ BIRTH DATE:_________________ HOME:__________________________

1st Out-of-area contact (ICE-1)

2nd Out-of-area contact (ICE-2)
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
   
Home Phone: Home Phone:
Work Phone: Work Phone:
Cell Phone: Cell Phone:
e-mail: e-mail:

 

 

NAME:___________________________ BIRTH DATE:_________________ HOME:__________________________

1st Out-of-area contact (ICE-1)

2nd Out-of-area contact (ICE-2)
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
   
Home Phone: Home Phone:
Work Phone: Work Phone:
Cell Phone: Cell Phone:
e-mail: e-mail:

 

 

 

NAME:___________________________ BIRTH DATE:_________________ HOME:__________________________

1st Out-of-area contact (ICE-1)

2nd Out-of-area contact (ICE-2)
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
   
Home Phone: Home Phone:
Work Phone: Work Phone:
Cell Phone: Cell Phone:
e-mail: e-mail:

 

 

 

NAME:___________________________ BIRTH DATE:_________________ HOME:__________________________

1st Out-of-area contact (ICE-1)

2nd Out-of-area contact (ICE-2)
Name: Name:
Address: Address:
   
Home Phone: Home Phone:
Work Phone: Work Phone:
Cell Phone: Cell Phone:
e-mail: e-mail:

 

 

Thinking About Hurricane Season?

Since Hurricane Katrina hit south Louisiana, I have thought of many problems that were faced before, during and after it hit. Although there is very little we can do to keep ourselves out of the bull’s eye of a storm, there is a lot that can be done to make life easier and livable after the strike of the storm. I noticed that one of the biggest frustrations after the storm was trying to get supplies, such as groceries and gas, water and ice. I came up with some solutions that I am doing to prepare for what we hope never comes. If everyone who goes to the grocery store throughout the year would pick up a couple of canned goods or dry goods, batteries and bottled water, and store these in a designated area of the home. When a storm threatens our area, you won’t be one of the ones trying to rush in the store and fight all the crowds just to find out that the store is sold out of the items you need during the storm. This also helps the whole community, as the store does not have to worry about stocking everyone’s home all at the same time. This also helps in the time it takes the stores to restock after the storm, and really makes life easier.

If you have gas cans for a generator, then you may fill these up at the beginning of hurricane season, or whenever you find a bargain (imagine that) and not have to worry about the big gas rush the day before the storm hits. I found that if you’re going to keep the gas for more than 4 months, there is a helpful product on the market called "Stabil". This product comes in many different names and brands, and is a fuel stabilizer that is used for long storage of fuel products. It’s very cheap to add per gallon and most pint containers will treat up to about 50 to 100 gallons.

Now that we have talked about the food and fuel portion of preparing for a storm, let’s talk a little bit about generators. First of all, let me clarify that I am not an electrical engineer, but have been an electrician for over 15 years, and have learned that counting Watts, is very important. Most homes have an average 7kw generator (7000 watts) and when trying to run the home, you will find that every amp and watt counts. I have a very small generator (5500 watt) because of the type of windings in it and the way it allows me to distribute the power. During Hurricane Katrina, I was able to run my entire home, less central air, and had no problem at all. I would like to share some of the ways to be successful at doing this. My home is mostly natural gas, so I did not have the hot water heater or the 220 electric dryer to deal with, but I was able to wash, dry clothes and run the TV’s and a window unit air conditioner and any and all lights in the home. This was so nice that I ended up housing many of the friends of my boys and in-laws and relatives.

The first thing you need to know how to do is figure the amperage load or the amount of current that your generator is capable of handling. In electronics, we use Ohms law to figure and calculate current, voltage etc. I will give you some examples before I tell you how to do your own math and figure your max use of your generator. If you have a generator that is rated at 7kw (7000 watts), then this is how you would figure the amperage rating of this unit. You take the watts and divide them by voltage. 7000 divided by 120 volts is 58.33 amps. This is the max that the generator is rated for at 120v. To figure the amperage rating at 240 volts would be 7000 divided by 240v is 29.16. Notice that it is half of what the rating is at 120v. So the formula that you would use would be Watts divided by Voltage = Amperage, or current. The same law would apply if you needed to figure wattage. The formula would be amperage x volts = watts. To prepare for hurricane season, about 95% of the appliances purchased will have something either on a tag or in the instruction manual that will give you the wattage. Get a notebook and write down the current (amperage) needed to operate this item. This will come in handy when the time comes that you’re not sure how much you’re running on your generator, or how much more you can turn on before you overload the system. One of the most wasteful power hogs that you have in your home, as far as appliances go, is a coffee maker. Over half of the coffee makers on the market today will draw 12 to 15 amps. This is a tremendous amount of power for so little an item. Next would be your microwave oven. They will draw from 12 to 18 amps.

Now to calculate lighting usages: This is where counting amperage use really pays off. Take a 100-watt light bulb. A 100-watt light bulb will draw .83 amps. A 7kw generator can run 70 x 100 watt light bulbs. That sounds like a lot of light. Well, how about let’s replace all those light bulbs for hurricane season with 40-watt light bulbs? Now let’s do the math. A 40-watt light bulb uses .33 amps. Remember (watts divided by voltage = amps). Now we can burn 175 x 40 watt light bulbs. Now let’s face it, during a power outage for any period of time, we really just want to be comfortable. So you could live with a little dimmer light, and have lights all over the house burning. I find it better to be able to see in dim light in all the rooms than see very well in one room and not in the other, so the average house has 2 bulbs per room in the fixture. Unscrew one of the bulbs and put a 40 watt by itself in it and you will have plenty of reserve power to use for other items.

Now let’s look at a few other appliances in the house. Take the T.V. set, if you are not playing the TV, it should be unplugged, not just turned off. Take a 25 inch color TV set. Turned on, it will draw anywhere from 3 to 4 amps of current. Turned off, it will draw from .5 to 1 amp. That is because that set has rapid start, and in order for a T.V. to have rapid start, it is on standby and the electronics are functioning, just the picture tube is off. It has to stay hot, or it will not rapid start. So unplug it when not in use. Remember, every single amp counts when you’re running on a limited supply of power from a portable generator. It may not sound like much, but all this eventually adds up. I have found that the best way to get a deep freezer to maintain its temperature is to keep it full. This helps very much when the unit has to cycle on and it also helps to maintain the cold as it works the same as ice. Try to allow a good flow of fresh air to your refrigerator and freezer if it is in any place other than in the house. The cooler the ambient air is the more efficient the unit. Buy a small window unit air conditioner and place it in one room of the house where you plan on staying or hanging out. I bought an 8000 BTU unit, which is rated at 7 amps. I checked it with a meter to get a very accurate account of the amperage pull and it is about 5 amps. It cooled our living room very well and was very efficient. If you really want to be prepared and have great knowledge of your power usage, invest in an amp clamp meter and follow the directions and one day, take a note pad and write down the appliance. Then check the amperage draw and record this, so you will have a better idea on how much of your generator you are using and how much more you can run.

Something else that really kills the efficiency of a generator is that most people run an extension cord that is way to long. Small wire and long cords cause voltage drop. This voltage is low when it gets to the end of the cord because it is lost in the insulation and the wire. To minimize this, use a good gauge wire and the shortest run available. A very good size cord should never be less than 12AWG rated. Now when I say less, in wire gauge, a 14 is smaller than a 12 and so on. So a 12 gauge (12AWG) or 10guage (10AWG) is a very good size and quality wire for just about any item anytime. That is why they normally cost more than a cheap 14 or 16-gauge cord. Do not plug too many items into one cord. Always feel the cord for about the first 30 minutes to see that it is not getting too hot. Also, Never, Never, Never use an extension cord with it coiled up, like you would hang it in a shed or garage. This causes what is called a coil effect. It will get hot and has been known to catch on fire. Always stretch it out or not allow it to be rolled or coiled to itself. This applies to anytime you use an extension cord.

Well, I think I have covered about all the basics that would help you with the power end. Now I would like to suggest a few things that I have also put a lot of thought into.

I noticed that during the times that New Orleans was evacuated, many people had no medical records or copies of their insurance papers for their house or any other legal document that could have been very helpful. Many children got separated from their parents, and were too little or young to tell authorities who they were. I have an idea that could eliminate a lot of the guess work and should help people in the event of a natural disaster such as we endured this past hurricane season. Buy a jump drive or better known as a memory stick for your computer. The average cost of a 128mb memory stick is about $20. Take a picture of yourself and put it on the stick. Next, type in any format (Word Perfect is my choice) your name, address, and age. Add the names of next of kin, along with phone numbers and any other important information. Take pictures of the interior and exterior of your home. Do an inventory, put insurance information, medical history, along with medications and prescription numbers and how often you take the medication. Put your doctor’s name and address along with his/her phone number. Put the name of the church and contact information also. The more information you include, the better. Now all these memory sticks come with a lanyard that can be easily hung around your neck. All that I have seen also come with a little label that you write on and stick it on the stick. Now put this around your neck when you get in the car and start to evacuate. In the event that you become unconscious due to an auto accident or some other medical reason, the paramedics or anybody can plug this into a computer and get information that may save your life or allow them to contact someone that knows you and could actually save your life. Little children should also have one with contact information and their vital information in the event that they get separated from you. This will allow authorities to have some clue of who they are and whom they belong to or a contact that can be reached for them.

I know that not everyone has a computer and can do this, so help these people out. Some of our elders have never even seen a computer, so have them purchase a memory stick, or buy them one and record the information for them on it. Then give it to them to keep around there neck or in their purse, or somewhere that it can be accessed. They don’t need to know how to use it; the authorities will open the information up for them. So there is really no excuse for these people to be left out of the computer age. Also, develop a web site that you and your family can call a central point of contact—a meeting place as such. This would allow for communication in the event that you are in a shelter and are able to use a computer on the internet, and not able to get to a phone to contact them and leave messages on your whereabouts. This "family bulletin board" is for your family’s private use and you can even share this web site with friends that may want to contact you in the event that this is your only means of communications. I hope that this information will help if and when the next disaster strikes.

 

Sincerely,

Jeff Livingston

Thibodaux, La

04/06/2010