Bermuda’s hurricane season officially runs from June to November. Stay safe when a hurricane hits, by following these six tips.
1) Be informed
The Bermuda Weather Service offers forecast information on their website at www.weather.bm. With surface observations taken hourly, the website is a useful resource.
The National Hurricane Centre based in Coral Gables, Florida, provides storm specific forecasts including tracking and intensity guidance. www.nhc.noaa.gov
2) Prepare your home
- Check your generator is working and has enough fuel.
- Get fresh batteries and charge your devices.
- Close your shutters and mask your windows.
- Secure your outdoor objects.
- Fill your bathtub.
A full list of preparation tips can be found here.
The Government has created a hurricane preparedness flyer, which you may want to print out.
3) Know where to go
In the event of a hurricane making landfall, the location of temporary hurricane shelters will be announced by the Emergency Measures Organisation via the emergency radio station FM100.1 MHz, or their Facebook page.
There is a permanent hurricane shelter at Cedarbridge Academy:
Cedarbridge Academy Gymnasium.
1 CB Lane, Prospect DV02.
4) Know your home’s vulnerabilities
Is your house built on an elevated piece of land and exposed to wind? Do you live close enough to the sea to be vulnerable to water damage ? How many windows does your house have and can they be re-enforced ? It is important that you know how vulnerable your home is to a hurricane.
Once you are aware of the potential damage that can be inflicted, you can take preventional measures, such as installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows, keeping the contents of your home at an elevated level to prevent damage if flooding occurs or having a stock of sandbags.
5) Do not move
If a hurricane strikes, remain where you are until you receive instructions to do otherwise. Regardless of whether your location fits into your hurricane action plan, it is safer to stay indoors.
Once it appears that the hurricane has passed, strong winds and further damaging weather are still a possibility. Stay where you are and listen to the radio for updates.
6) Stay secure after the hurricane has passed
Even if a hurricane does not make landfall, the accompanying high winds and rainfall can cause serious damage to roads, bridges and power lines.
It is important to have adequate supplies of non-perishable food and drinking water in case you lose power. Make sure your bathtub is full, so you have water for washing, cleaning and flushing.
Check your generator’s battery is charged. Ensure you have extra jerry jugs of fuel in case of an extended power outage.