Hurricane UPDATE..UPDATE..UPDATE . Review on Dealing with Natural Disasters

2nd UPDATE

Jeanne missed us here in south florida by about 50 miles(thank goodness) all we got was a LOT of rain and winds of about 50-60 MPH. No major damage here, just some downed trees

UPDATEUPDATEUPDATE

Here we go yet again.Hurricane Jeanne is about to hit us with yet another'big blow!' She is expected to land here tomorrow(Sunday) I'll keep you posted!

Well folks, this year is a really bad one here in Florida when it comes to hurricanes!

So far we've had 2 majorly distructive ones and now a 3rd is about to land in the'panhandle' of Florida, which is the upper western section of the state. And yet another is forming out there headed this way again!Gene)

The first major hurricane, Charley, barely grazed us here, in south Florida.Luckily!

It was a total disaster on the west coast of Florida though. People lost homes, businesses and lives!

I lost electricity, water and telephone during the second one(Hurricane Frances) for 4 days and nights. With the temperature in the low to mid 90's a loss of power is horrible!

That means no air conditioning, fans or refrigeration. A loss of phones means no communication and a loss of water means, well, a loss of water.

I was very lucky not to have damage other than some roof leaks.

To prepare, I already had done my shopping well before hand. I stocked up on batteries for my flashlights and my radio and my portable television. I had many gallons of drinking water, and many gallons of'washing' water. I had canned foods enough to last about 2 weeks and my cell phone was charged by a car charger, so I could communicate with whomever necessary. I had filled my car with gasoline and taken cash out of the bank(in case I needed some and the ATM machines were not working and the banks were closed.) Also, all trees and shrubbery had to be cut way back to make sure the windows were safe from flying branches and trees! All outdoor plants and chairs had to be brought inside for fear of even more flying objects.

This 3rd horrible hurricane, Ivan is now about to leave Cuba and head towards Florida! That's 3 in a month, so far. From all news reports, I think once Ivan(the terrible) leaves Cuba, it will head up towards the upper portion of the state(again) and also graze the state of Louisiana(where my daughter lives! She learned well, she is also prepared.)

Ivan has already totally destroyed the small country of Granada. 95% of homes and businesses were destroyed and lives were lost!

When I lived in the state of Texas, we were always prepared for tornadoes, and when I lived in California, we always worried about earthquakes.

All in all, feel the best way to deal with natural disasters is to always be prepared for the worst! As I did, have supplies ready and at hand . Always listen to the news reports and follow all instructions given. Evacuate when told to. Don't stay behind to'ride the disaster out.' Get as far away as possible!

You must also remember, never go near downed power lines or walk or drive through puddles.(There may be live wires downed in the standing water!) Stay away from canals too. Here in Florida we have a problem with poisonous water snakes and alligators! They have a tendancy to emerge during storms in canals near homes! Also, if at all possible, don't use candles during a power outage. Candles have caused many, many fires which resulted in severe damage and deaths.

I know that with earthquakes there is really no early warnings, so just follow all instructions and stay in the safest and most secure area you can find. With tornadoes and hurricanes you get warnings(not so much with tornadoes as with hurricanes). Try to be prepared as much as possible and don't be afraid or ashamed to call the authorities for help when needed.

I've been through many hurricanes living here in Florida(Hurricane capital USA.) I've always been prepared and luckily I've never had major damage.