Questions about hurricane preparedness?

Question

if a category 3 hurricane is approaching and I choose to stay, will about 4 sandbags at the front and back doors stop most water from coming in

Can water come through the walls of a well built house with the doors sand bagged

Is the best thing to do about windows before a hurricane boarding them up?

If not would it be better to take them out (they are removable) and place a tarp over the window with plywood

Answer 1

Have you ever been in a hurricane? I take you have not.

First of all most importantly category 3 is dangerous just as a 4 or 5 would be. The winds are 111-130mph. Definitely would destroy mobile  homes to pieces, structural damage to smaller residences, larger residences, and utility buildings. Flooding can occur, but you can't predict the nature of flooding in these storm systems. You never want to take lightly to a lower category due to the fact they can always increase greater before they come to your town. If you suspect one coming soon, keep updated on the status daily. Hurricane status and the track can change with in 24 hours.

It is known that once Hurricanes do reach land they do decrease in strength because of less water moisture. Still keep in mind can be as dangerous/deadly.

Especially if you are unsure of the preparedness involved, don't go light!

Ok, for the windows definitely do not take them out and place tarp over them. The reason is, hurricanes bring large debris like a tornado would except worse. You can have strong heavy debris fly right through your tarp into your window through the house and maybe hurt something/someone.

You need to board your windows up!!!! This is a must!!!! Contact your local hardware store who I'm sure will give you  advice on which wooden boarding materials and strong long nails you will need to board up. Or you can have a system installed that will be placed on all your windows so all you have to do is pull the lever and your windows are boarded up- if you have time for that. You also want to secure your front door and back door if you have one. Ply wood is too flimsy for these kinds of winds. You need something thicker.

Next you would want to stock up on food/toiletries that you can eat with out using electricity. Your stock should be good for two weeks minimum. You can face being out of power for a few weeks at a time. Choose a room to stay in the whole time preferably without windows and with a battery operated radio you can tune into for updates on the hurricane status. You will need ready flash lights handy -lots of candles/matches/lighters to light them for night time if your power goes out.

For flooding usually impacts the lower levels of the home. If you have a basement more sand bags needed and you don't want one row you want at least a couple of rows. Water flows fast and heavy which can easily go through 4 bags of sand bags.

I am the expert of hurricanes here, I have been through so many in Florida and South Carolina. The rule of thumb as most neighbors do, do not under estimate the likely hood of hurricanes. When you do under estimate the needs of preparedness you face yourself worse off after it's over- I have done that before, never again ;)

I hope I helped!

Answer 2

I don't think you fully understand what is at stake.  First, it totally depends on where you are in relation to where the hurricane makes landfall.  If you are near the shore the best thing to do is evacuate.  The biggest threat is from the storm surge.  This is when the ocean and bay water is blown back onto shore.  In a Cat 3 or better hurricane it is not unusual for the storm surge to exceed 10 feet especially if it occurs at high tide.  A ten foot tidal surge for homes near the shore places the water line at the second floor level.  No sand bag will help you nor will plywood or tarps.

Hurricanes have swept entire homes out to sea and destroyed entire condo buildings built too close to the coast.  

If you are not close to the shore but in a low lying area that is prone to flooding you should also evacuate.  It is not unusual for a hurricane to dump fifteen inches or more of rain on an area in less than a few hours.  Flooding is a serious problem.  For home owners it can even mean the sewers flowing backwards into your home.  I have seen this first hand.  It is not something you ever want to witness.  

The winds associated with a hurricane are not as strong as a tornado but they are sustained for a much longer period of time.  It gives the wind plenty of opportunity to exploit any weakness in a structure.  How well any structure fairs depends on how it was built and how it is oriented in relation to the wind.  

There is always the possibility of disease filled water, downed electrical lines and other hazards.  Riding out a hurricane is pretty cool right up until it isn't.  People die.  It is a dopey way to die because you have plenty of time to get away.  

If you live inland and on high ground you will probably ride it out OK.  Just be prepared to go for several days without outside assistance.  You need bottled water because the city water will probably be contaminated by flooding. You need food that can easily be prepared and eaten without power and you may not be able to travel because roads may be washed out or blocked with downed trees and power lines.  

You may also be without phone service if lines are down and even cell towers may be out of commission.  So if you are in a relatively protected area make sure you are properly provisioned to last three to five days until things get back to normal.

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Answer 3

I know this doesnt exactly answer your question but hope this helps... stay safe!

http://www.quakekare.com/emergency-prepa...