PSYCHOLOGICAL

CHARACTERISTICS
OF DISASTERS
Definition

Disaster
“An occurrence causing widespread destruction and distress.”

Emergency
“A serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly
and demands immediate action.”
Natural causes
– Earthquakes
– Fire
– Flooding
– Hurricanes & typhoons
– Snow storms & avalanches
– Tidal waves
– Tornadoes & wind storms
– Volcanic eruptions
Man made disasters
Human error & carelessness
HVAC failure
Nuclear disasters
Robbery
Sewage overflow
Accidental sprinkler activation
Strikes
Toxic fumes
Vandalism
War
Water overflows
 Psychological characteristics of disasters
→ Lack of warning. Warning allows people to take psychological and
physical protective action. A disaster that strikes
without warning produces the maximum social and
psychological disruption. In the United States, the
general public was not aware of the risk and was in no
way prepared for an attack.

→ Lack of familiarity Types of agents involved, how to prepare, or how to

with type of event respond can lead to community-wide feelings of
helplessness, vulnerability.

→ Sudden contrast of Makes the event all the more horrifying; a peaceful
scene, abrupt Spring day with people going to their jobs at the Federal
change in reality Building, then the horrifying scene as the smoke clears,
the injured moan, and the sirens wail.

→ Serious threat to and security is associated with immediate and long term
personal safety psychological symptoms for both citizens and responders.
 Psychological characteristics of disasters
→ Scope of The more injuries, deaths,death of children, damages,
destruction: impacted (home, work, school) the greater the intensity and
duration of psychological impact.
We know from experience (Tokyo, World Trade Center, OK
City, US embassy bombings) that the scope of destruction is
devastating.
These stressors are particularly toxic for emergency personnel
who are exposed to injuries, death and bodies in protracted and
difficult rescue and recovery efforts (16 days in Oklahoma
City).

→ Exposure to Increases psychological risk for survivors, rescuers, and those

gruesome or involved with body recovery and identification. In some
grotesque situations, this exposure is of long duration.
situations
 Psychological characteristics of disasters
→ Intensity of These events are beyond the life experience of most people and
emotions and organizations. Most people are totally unprepared for the
intensity of their emotions. Emotional reactions by survivors
psychological
and responders will be sudden, intense, severe, and profound
Emotional reactions will affect decision-making and
reactions operations.

Control is out of citizen’s hands, and is in the hands of

→ Lack of control government and responders.

→ Deteriorated Due to illness or injury increases psychological risk. Survivors of

health status terrorist events often face long-term medical care, pain
rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, loss of the ability to work,
financial crisis, depression, and loss of dignity and self-esteem.
 Psychological characteristics of disasters
→ Disrupted Social support is known to be an essential factor in recovery
social support from trauma. Terrorist events result in separation of loved
ones; death of loved ones and friends; disruption of
systems
relationships and of supportive communities of neighborhoods,
workplaces, and schools; loss of sense of trust in mankind;

And often a personal crisis of faith and spirituality.

→ The duration and its aftermath is long, and in some cases, perhaps never-
of the event ending. Investigation of the crime, litigation and trials,
sentencing and punishment of the perpetrator (s) takes years.
Healing of physical and psychological injuries is slow, painful,
and tedious. Grief and bereavement are a lifelong process.
Fear for the health of future generations transcends lifetimes.
 Psychological characteristics of disasters
→ Symbolism of A government office that is a symbol of power, stability, and
the terrorist control; a world trade center that is a symbol of international
finance; an embassy that is the symbol of the powers of state
target:
and international status. A key criterion in the selection of a
terrorist target is its symbolic value. Terrorist events in public
places give the profound symbolic message; “We can get you
anywhere, at any time. If we are willing to kill your children,
we will not hesitate to kill you. There is no one who can
protect you.”

→ The entire With fear, distrust, anxiety, anger, and profound grief. Not
community only are crisis intervention and counseling services important
is affected for first responders they are also informative, factual, and
anxiety-reducing public relations and public education efforts,
targeting virtually the entire community (and nation).
Parents, teachers, and child-care professionals need support
and information about how to talk with children about the
event. Public memorials are necessary to help the community
articulate and express its grief and to commemorate its loss.
Long term reactions – Public and first responder

Grief and stress-induced physical illness; post-traumatic stress

disorder; anxiety disorders; phobias; pain disorders; obsessive-
compulsive disorder; substance abuse; domestic violence;
divorce; work disability and Worker’s Compensation cases;
major depression; suicide

Additional resources are needed in this area. Six years

following the Oklahoma City bombing, the American Red
Cross is still funding counseling services for over 50 clients.
Roles for mental health agencies and professionals

Mental health and behavioral science professionals have

major roles to play in all aspects of planning and response to
WMD/T incidents.
 Partnerships

• Consultation, collaboration, and planning among all

mental health resources whose skills and services would be
needed in the event of a WMD/T to ensure adequate and
appropriate mental health response.

• Experience with past events indicates that there may be from 4

to 20 psychological victims for every physical victim in a mass
casualty situation.
 The Grieving process:

* Fear, anger, relief, despair, peace, guilt,

numbness, agitation and at times bottomless
sorrow may all be part of our grief.
 The Grieving process:

 Denial Our attempt to protect against the full emotional impact:

 Anger Including rage and resentment:

 Bargaining Gradual realization of the consequences:

 Depression Which includes sadness, gloominess, guilt;

 Acceptance Which is not equated with happiness.

 The Grieving process:

 First People move back and forth between the five stages, gradually
spending longer and longer periods in the fifth stage, acceptance.

 Second People are individuals; the manner in which we individually deal

with grief will vary.

 Third People do get struck in one stage or another.

 Future needs

Specific to terrorism events Interagency

* Training cooperation/mutual aid and training

* More equipment For detection, decontamination, response and entry .

Pharmaceutical Stockpile of antidotes and antibiotics to
counteract Anthrax or nerve Agents.

Working relationship with mental health professionals for

* Partnerships citizens and our first responders.
 Psychological Impact,
Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing
 168 dead, including 19 children
 853 injured
 30 children orphaned
 219 children lost one parent
 1,500 people within the injury perimeter
 Over 16,744 people work or reside in the area impacted by
the bomb
 800 buildings received damage ranging from major structural
damage to broken windows.
 Psychological Impact,
Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing
 Nine structures, including the Federal Building, suffered partial collapse

 Following the bombing, the Federal Building and 29 other damaged

structures were demolished

 80 % of the schools within Oklahoma City School District had children

who had immediate family members injured or killed in the bombing.

 An estimated 387,000 people knew someone who was killed or injured.

 An estimated 190,000 people went to funerals.

 Statistics on responders:
✙ 1 nurse responder died

✙ 85 injured

✙ 12,984 rescue workers and volunteers assisted

✙ 2/3 reported handling bodies or body parts

✙ 1/3 felt they were in much or extreme danger

✙ ½ spent close to the majority of their time at the bomb site for
10 days

✙ Long-term effects on police and fire;

✙ Family violence increased in both police and fire departments

 Statistics on responders:

✙ Police Department: 25-30 % increase in divorce rate

✙ Fire Department: 300 % increase in divorce rate

✙ 5 suicides among all rescue workers

✙ 65 % Project Heartland Crisis Counseling staff tested

positive for PTSD while working in the project

✙ 77 % Project Heartland Crisis Counseling staff tested at

moderate to extremely high risk for burnout while working on
the project
 Statistics on responders:
responders

✙ Project Heartland’s Crisis Counseling Regular Services Grant funded

at $ 4,092,909, and was allocated three time extensions.

✙ Served 8,898 individuals in counseling, support groups, or crisis

intervention services (53 mental health contracts per death

✙ Additional services to 186,000 people

✙ Contacts by outreach workers offering educational materials and

information on services

✙ Debriefing sessions as part of workplace groups

✙ Education seminars on topics such as grief or traumatic stress

✙ Trial-related supportive services

Natural Disasters

How to react
How to survive!
Earthquake Preparedness
• Prepare a home earthquake plan.
• Choose a safe place in every room--under a sturdy table or desk
or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.
• Practice DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON at least twice a year. Drop
under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by
pressing your face against your arm. If there's no table or desk
nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from
windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you.
• Choose an out-of-town family contact.
• Consult a professional to find out additional ways you can protect
your home, such as bolting the house to its foundation and other
structural mitigation techniques.
• Learn first aid.
• Learn to use a fire extinguisher.
 Earthquake - When it
Shakes
• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps
to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking
stops and you're sure it's safe to exit. Stay away from
windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms
and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting
your head with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from
buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear
place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.
 Earthquake - After the
Shaking
• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further
danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt,
sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards.
Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it's leaking.
(Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER,
AND HOLD ON!
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your
home is unsafe.
• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening
emergencies.
 Lightning - If you are
outside
•Don’t go into a shed that stands alone
•Don’t go under a large tree that stands alone
•Don’t be higher than your surroundings
•Don’t stand on a hilltop
•Don’t stay out in a boat
•Don’t carry anything made of metal, and don’t be near
anything made of metal.
•Do get inside a hard-topped car.
•If you are in a field, crouch on your knees and bend
over.
•Don’t lie down because wet ground can carry
electricity.
•If you are in the water, get out.
•Get away from the beach.
 Lightning - If you are
inside
•Stay away from water faucets, sinks, and
tubs, anything that could conduct
electricity.
• Keep away from windows and doors
• Don’t use the telephone unless there is an
emergency.
• Don’t use electrical appliances – irons,
toasters, mixers, lightning could
follow the wire.
• Stay away from the T.V. and computer.
Stormy Weather - Flash
Flood
• When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods. Flash
floods occur in mountain streams - often in canyons; or
flooding of dry washes. But they do happen in cities as
well.
• Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where
you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream. It is
raining so hard, water can not sink into the ground. It
rushes down the mountainside to the stream. The stream
can't carry all the water, so it floods.
• A flash flood may come at you as a high wave of water.
And it moves fast as an express train. Chances are you
won't have time to get out of its way, unless you have
a plan.
 Flash Flood - What to Do
• Flash Flood Watch
• There may be flooding. Keep alert. Be smart,
watch out for heavy storms.
• Keep your eye on streams to see if water is rising.
If streams rise, get out fast. Go to higher ground.
• Flash Flood Warning
• There is flooding.
• Flooding could reach you any moment.
• Get to high ground.
• Seconds Count
• The National Weather Service may not have time
to send out flash flood warnings – be alert and ready
to act on your own.
 Flash Flood - What to Do
• If you are camping.
• If the forecast is for heavy rain, stay home.
• If you already have set up camp – stay alert. Watch for signs of
rain – not only where you are but upstream.
• Plan ahead. Pick high ground for your camp.
• Remember – seconds count. Flash floods move very fast.
• If you are in a car.
• Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive
where water is over bridges or roads.
• If you do drive into the water, don’t try to drive out of it. Get
out of the car. Scramble to higher ground.
• If you are driving through canyon country along a stream and
hear a flash flood warning, leave your car and climb to high
ground.
 Flash Flood - What to Do
• If you are outside
• Keep out of storm drains in the suburbs and
country. Don’t play in irrigation ditches, dry
washes or other waterways. There will
probably be deadly lighting. When
you go to higher ground, stay off hilltops.
Don’t get under lone trees.
• Be smart – remember warnings about what
to do and not to do when there is lightning.
 Stormy Weather -
Thunderstorm
• Keep an eye on the sky. On a hot day, cumulus clouds build
up. They grow larger, towering higher and higher.
They darken. The top of the clouds may be spread out
by winds at high altitudes. As clouds develop, particles in
the clouds become charged with electricity. When the
charges overflow, they make a lighting flash.
• Lightning may go from one part of a cloud to another, or
cloud to cloud. It may go from a cloud to earth, or from
earth to a cloud.
• Lightning takes the shortest path. It hits the highest
objects – a tall tree or house, a tower, or a person
standing alone in a flat field.
• Lightning can hit the same place, or person, more than
once.
 Thunder and Lightning
• Thunder and lightning occur together.
• The light reaches you at once.
• Sound takes some time to reach you.
• Usually you see the lightning strike before you hear
the thunder.
• As soon as you see lightning, count the seconds until
you hear the thunder. If there are 5 seconds, it is
about 5 miles away.
• If you see lighting and hear thunder at just about the
same moment, watch out, the storm is right above
you, only a few hundred feet away.
 Thunder and Lightning
• Thunderstorms, Lighting and Hail
• Severe thunderstorms have lightning, strong winds and other
hazards. There may be damaging hail. Hail can be the size of
marbles or others as big as golf balls or baseballs.

• Lightning can be a killer.

• Lightning strikes people directly.
• It also starts fires and many people die from those fires.
• It can do strange things, it can explode a tree. It heats up the
sap, changes it steam, steam expands and blows the tree apart.
• Sometimes when it is stormy, you don’t see lightning but the sky
lights up occasionally. It means the storm is very far away, too far for
you to see and you don’t hear any thunder either.
 Stormy Weather -
Tornadoes
• A big black cloud with a funnel-like extension could be a tornado. If it
goes through a town, it can flatten houses, buildings, lift cars and
trucks, shatter mobile homes. But you don’t always see the funnel. It
may be raining too hard. Or the tornado may come at night. When
there is a tornado, there can be a lot of lighting.
• Stay away from anything that uses electricity.
• Stay away from anything metal – faucets, radiators, sinks and tubs.
• Tornadoes can be scary. They pack a lot of energy

• Tornado Watches
• The National Weather Service forecasts a tornado might develop later.
• The sky may be blue at the time of the watch. Don’t be fooled.
• Listen to the radio for the latest news.
 Stormy Weather -
Tornadoes
• Tornado Warnings
• A tornado has been sighted. It may move towards you. Dark
clouds boil in the sky.
• There may be thunder and lighting and heavy rain or hail.
• When you see large hail, you may be close to a tornado.
• Seek shelter. Power may go off.
• Funnels reach down from the black clouds.
• If you are downtown or on the street
• Go to an inside hall on the lowest floor.
• Get off the street
• Go into a building, stay away from windows and doors
 Tornadoes - What to Do
• What to do if you are inside your house
• Keep your eye on the sky for signs of a possible tornado and listen to
the radio for the latest advice from National Weather Service.
• Get away from windows. They may shatter.
• Go to the basement. Get under a heavy workbench or stairs.
• If you don’t have a basement, go to an inside closet, bathroom or
hallway on the lowest level of the house.
• Get under a mattress. Protect your head.
• If you are at school
• Go to an inside hall on the lowest floor.
• Crouch near the wall. Get down with your hands on your head.
• Keep away from glass and stay out of big rooms.
 Tornadoes - What to Do
• If you live in a mobile home
• Even if tied down, a mobile home can be shattered by a
tornado
• It can be lifted up and dropped
• Get to a safer place
• If you can’t get to a safer place, lie in a ditch and cover
your head with your hands
• If you are outside
• Get out of a car and inside a house or building
• Don’t try to outrun a tornado in a car
• Lie in a ditch or crouch near a strong building
• Cover your head with your arms.
 Wildfires
• Wildfire is one of the most destructive natural forces on the planet.
While sometimes caused by lightning, most wildfires are caused by
people. An average of 106,000 wildfires break out each year in the
U.S. These fires consume an average of 4 million acres!
• Wildfire experts say there are four reasons why wildfires happen
more often now.
1. The way forests were handled in the past allowed fuel in the
form of fallen leaves, branches and plant growth, to accumulate.
This fuel feeds a wildfire.
2. Increasingly hot, dry weather in the U.S.
3. Changing weather patterns across the country
4. Homes built in areas called the wildland / urban interface,
meaning homes are built closer to wildland areas where wildfires
can occur.
 Wildfires - Prevention
• Wildfires can be prevented by:
• Not smoking or by being careful with cigarettes in the outdoors.
They should be carefully extinguished and disposed of.
• Not parking cars or trucks on dry grass.
• Knowing your county’s outdoor burning regulations and never
burning trash in an unlawful manner
• Inspect your campsite when you leave so your camp fire is out.
• Never taking burning sticks out of a fire
• Never taking any type of fireworks on public land
• Keeping stoves, lanterns and heaters away from things that can
catch on fire
• Storing containers with flammable liquids in a safe place
• Never using stoves, lanterns or heaters inside of a tent.
 Wildfires - Prevention
• One of the most important things to remember is that your house
should have a working smoke detector. Look around your house to
see if you have a smoke detector on every floor in the house. Check
if your smoke detectors are working. Check also to see if your
family has a working fire extinguisher.
• Your family should have an escape plan. If you are caught in a fire
REMEMBER, stay low to the ground where the smoke is not so
heavy. NEVER hide during a fire. Always get out. And once you are
out, stay out. DO NOT go back for anything. Tell an adult if there is
a person left behind in the burning house.
• Wildfire is a danger for people who live in forest, prairies or wooded
areas. They are sometimes started by lightning or by accident.
They can move very fast and burn many acres. Remember, if there
is a wildfire near you and your family is told to evacuate -- go right
away! And remember to bring your pets with you!
Stormy Weather - Winter
Storms
• Snowstorms occur in the winter and sometimes in early
spring or late fall. Usually the snow piles up slowly, so you
have time to get to a safe place. But not always. In a winter
storm a few flakes may fall and the next moment there is a
blinding snow. It's so heavy you can't see to drive or walk. It
piles up deeper and deeper. All at once you may be stalled in
a huge drift. You may be trapped!
• Once a winter storm hits, it’s too late to do much about it.
Prepare your house, your car and you clothing ahead of time.
• Most winter tragedies occur because people were not ready
for the storm.
• Be smart. Prepare for a winter storm.
 Winter Storms
• When the National Weather Service
issues a Winter Storm Watch
• There is potential for severe winter weather developing
within the next day or so. The storm has not yet
arrived, but if it does, it might include heavy snow,
blizzards, freezing rain, ice or sleet.

• When the National Weather Service

issues a Winter Storm Warning
•  There is severe weather occurring or imminent. Be
alert. Be prepared. If you are thinking of going
outside in a heavy snowstorm, don’t. Stay inside.
 Winter Storms
• Before a Storm
• Prepare you car for deep snow
• Have a first aid kit, foods that give quick energy, matches,
candles, warm blanket, tow chains, booster cables, paper
towels, windshield scraper, jackknife, flashlight.
• If your car is stuck
• Tie a bright cloth to your antenna and raise it high so
rescuers can find you.
• As you sit, exercise. Clap your hands, stamp your feet, swing
your arms about. Keep your blood circulating. Keep warm,
don’t leave the car.
• If the engine is running, keep window open a bit. Conserve
gas and food. You may be stranded a long time.
 Winter Storms
• If you are stuck at home
• Have a supply of food, water, flashlights, lamps or candles
for light.
• Electricity may go off – have a way to cook and keep
warm. The furnace may not work.
• Have a battery operated radio – with spare batteries
• During an extreme snowstorm or blizzard, stay inside.
• Wear mittens, they are warmer than gloves.
• Wear several layers of clothing. Several layers are warmer
than a single garment. Layers should include wool and a
windbreaker.
• Wear a hood that covers your mouth.
• Wear a hat and ear muffs.
 Tsunami
• A tsunami is a series of huge waves that happen after an undersea
disturbance, such as an earthquake or volcano eruption. The waves travel in
all directions from the area of disturbance, much like the ripples that happen
after throwing a rock. The waves may travel in the open sea as fast as
450 miles per hour. As the big waves approach shallow waters along
the coast they grow to a great height and smash into the shore. They
can be as high as 100 feet. They can cause a lot of destruction on the shore.
• Hawaii is the state at greatest risk for a tsunami. They get about one a
year, with a damaging tsunami happening about every seven years. Alaska is
also at high risk. California, Oregon and Washington experience a
damaging tsunami about every 18 years.
• Tsunami Warning Centers in Honolulu Hawaii and Palmer Alaska monitor
disturbances that might trigger tsunami. When a tsunami is recorded, the
center tracks it and issues a warning when needed.
 Tsunami - What to Do
• If you feel an earthquake in the Pacific Coast area, turn on your
battery-powered radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning. If
you hear a tsunami warning, and they say to evacuate, do this
immediately. You should have an evacuation plan.

• A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles

away. Do not let the small size of one wave make you forget how
dangerous tsunami are. The next wave could be bigger. Get away
from the shoreline right away. When you see a tsunami it is too
late to escape. And stay away until you hear the "all clear" from
officials. A tsunami is a series of waves, not a single wave, and
the danger may not be over when you think it is.
 Volcanoes
• A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of
molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure
builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and rock shoot up through
the opening and spill over or fill the air with lava fragments.
Eruptions can cause lateral blasts, lava flows, hot ash flows,
mudslides, avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano
eruptions have been known to knock down entire forests. An
erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flashfloods,
earthquakes, mudflows and rockfalls.

• Active volcanoes in the U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii,

Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. The greatest
chance of eruptions near areas where many people live is in
Hawaii and Alaska. The danger area around a volcano covers
about a 20-mile radius.
 Volcanoes - What to Do
• When there is an active volcano -
• Do not visit the volcano site. You could be killed by a
sudden explosion. Public officials may tell you where it is
safe to view.
• If here is ash in the air, avoid being downwind from the
volcano. A building offers good shelter from volcanic ash,
but not from lava flows or rocks. If ash is falling, stay
indoors unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing.
Close doors, windows and all ventilation in the house.
Cover your nose and mouth to avoid breathing ash.
• Be aware of flying rocks and mudflows. Mudflows can move
faster than you can walk or run.
 Hurricanes
• The air that surrounds our planet is moving all the time - swirling,
blowing, sinking, rising. In summer and early fall, great masses
lay over the warm oceans. They get hot, pick up lots of moisture,
and start swirling. A hurricane is born. If the hurricane moves
toward the shore, it could wipe out towns and villages.
• The National Weather Service knows about it. As it comes closer
to land, special weather radars track it.
• Get out when you are told to do so
• When the hurricane hits the sea may rise as high as 25 feet
above normal high tide. This is called the storm surge – the great
wall of water surges over the beaches – sinking boats, knocking
down piers, washing out houses and buildings. Most people who
die from hurricanes drown because of the storm surge.
• If you are near the shore, plan to go inland where it is safe.
That’s the best thing to do.
 Hurricanes
• Hurricane Watches
• When weather forecasters decide the storm might reach
land within two days, they issue a Hurricane Watch. This
tells people along the coast that the hurricane over the
ocean might reach land. The National Fire Service tells
you what is happening. Keep listening to the radio or
television.
• Hurricane Warnings
• Winds in a hurricane will blow more than 74 miles an hour.
• Dangerous high water and very rough seas are expected
within 24 hours.
• Hurricanes are ranked according to their strength.
 Hurricanes
• Hurricane Watches
• When weather forecasters decide the storm might reach land within
two days, they issue a Hurricane Watch. This tells people along the
coast that the hurricane over the ocean might reach land. Keep
listening to the radio or television.
• Hurricane Warnings
• Winds in a hurricane will blow more than 74 miles an hour.
• Dangerous high water and very rough seas are expected within 24
hours.
• Hurricanes are ranked according to their strength.
• In a big hurricane
• The speed of the winds may be over 150 miles an hour. Trees and
houses may be blown down. Windows are blown out.
 Hurricanes - What to Do
• Prepare for the storm
• Put tape criss-cross on the windows. It prevents
flying glass.
• Put board or storm shutters over big windows
• But stay away from windows during the storm.
• Get a battery radio and flashlight – power will
probably go off.
• Store water in bathtubs, jugs and pails. Water may
be polluted.
• Pick up loose things in the yard – toys, tools,
flowerpots. The wind could pick them up and
make them fly like bullets.
 Hurricanes - What to Do
• When the hurricane comes
• Stay indoors. Trees could fall on you. You could be blown
over. Flying boards, limbs, chairs could crash into you. You
could be hit by a live electric wire.
• Beware of the eye. A hurricane is a big doughnut of winds
with a calm section at the middle - that's the eye of the
hurricane. The calm center may last from a few minutes
to an hour or more. The sun may come out and you think the
storm is over. But it isn't. As the hurricane moves winds
will blow just as hard, but from the opposite direction.
• Hurricanes are killer storms. Don't be caught by
one. Get out of its way.
Thank you……