Are you as prepared for hurricanes as you are for summer fun?

  • Published
  • By Ashley Charfauros
  • 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron

As people prepare for summer fun, they should also prepare for another part of the season, hurricane readiness. For the Hampton Roads area, June 1 to Nov. 30 is hurricane season.

To protect homes, families, and businesses from any natural disaster, people should familiarize themselves with the disaster cycle; preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation, and use the many resources available to assist in the process.

The preparedness phase focuses on education and outreach, pre-disaster planning, and disaster preparedness activities. It can begin at any time (not just right before a disaster strikes). Preparedness is by far the most important as it is the conduit to life safety and property/environmental conservation.

Basic Preparedness Tips:
  • Have a plan; sit down with your family and discuss emergency phone numbers, where to go in the event of an evacuation, print copies of important documents, etc.

  • Create an emergency kit and go-bag; supplies could include non-perishable food, water, flashlight, crank radio, first aid supplies, medications, etc.

  • Make a record of personal property; Take photos of the entirety of your home and personal belongings such as electronics and jewelry.

  • Sign up for Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ AtHoc Notification System to receive emergency notifications, base closures, weather updates, etc. For more information, contact JBLE’s Emergency Management Office at (757)764-4840.

Prepare your Home (18 hours from Hurricane Arrival):
  • Secure outside items such as grills, outdoor furniture, pool supplies, etc. Hurricane winds can propel loose items causing damage.

  • Trim or remove damaged tree limbs and loose branches.

  • Secure loose rain gutters or spouts.

  • Reinforce windows and doors. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings, and only open when necessary.

  • Purchase a portable generator to use during power outages; do this sooner rather than later as generators tend to get more expensive as hurricane season approaches.

  • Identify a safe room in the home that has minimal windows for shelter from high winds or possible tornadoes.

Before the hurricane arrives, it is important to monitor television, radio, and social media. For the latest weather updates and emergency instructions, follow the installation’s official social media pages including Twitter pages, JBLEnews and JBLEstatus, and the Joint Base Langley Eustis Facebook page.

Ensure you have a full tank of gas and extra gas cans for motor vehicles and generators.  Once the hurricane makes landfall, remain indoors and away from windows and doors. Refrain from going outside for any reason as most injuries occur during the storm which requires emergency responders to risk their own life to perform rescue operations.

For more hurricane related information, to include Hampton Roads evacuation routes, flood zones, and emergency kit checklists, contact the JBLE Emergency Management Flights at (757)764-4840 or (757)878-6801.