Protect Your Investment: A generator can provide power during an emergency

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, say along the East Coast or Gulf Coast, you might want to consider getting a portable or stationary power generator.

Before you head to the store, determine how many watts of power you’ll need by using our free calculator. Then see the Ratings to find the right model for your home. Also consider installing a transfer switch, which will eliminate having to run extension cords into and out of the house and make it easier to power your refrigerator, air conditioner, and lights.

Don’t neglect to maintain your generator—this will ensure that you’ll have power when you need it. And be sure to use your generator safely:

• Prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning by always running your generator outdoors and at least 15 feet away from the house. Never run it in the basement or garage or other enclosed space.
• Install a transfer switch to connect the unit to your home's wiring system. Never connect a generator directly to your home.
• Reduce fire risk by turning off a gasoline-powered generator before refueling.
• Store gasoline in an ANSI-approved container and in a cool, well-ventilated area.—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Refer to our free Storm & Emergency Guide for expert advice on dealing with a range of storm-related topics. And check out the NOAA's hurricane tracker.

NOAA hurricane tracker undergoes update

With four hurricanes occurring in the last two weeks, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Historical Hurricane Tracks tool has been flooded by users.

"The last six days in August, we had 52,430 unique visitors to the site—that's close to our total traffic during July and August of 2006 and 2007," says Jennifer Boulware, a program manager with Rockville, Maryland-based IM Systems Group who helped develop the application. The tracker, which launched in 2002 but was recently updated, allows you to quickly find out how many major storms have hit a particular location from 1851 through 2007; storms in the Eastern North Pacific are tracked for the last 60 years.

"We saw this great mass data sitting out there and we decided, 'Let's find a away to make it accessible to the general public,' " says Ethan Gibney, a senior geospatial analyst at the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina, and the lead programmer for the tracker. "The data is historical, but it can give you a insights into the pattern of tropical cyclone and hurricane climatology in your area."

Wanting to run the tracker through its paces, I decided to check out storm activity for Miami. That is, Miami, Florida; Miami, Oklahoma; and Miami University in Oxford Ohio. (From top to bottom, the images at right show storm activity in Florida, Oklahoma, and Ohio.)

The search for the fun-in-the-sun Miami yielded a map overlaid with a spaghetti-tangle of 353 storm tracks. These include two unnamed Category 5 storms that hit in 1935 and 1947, 28 Category 4 storm tracks (including Hurricane Donna in 1960 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992) and 32 Category 3 storms (the most recent were Hurricane King in 1950, Hurricane Isbell in 1964, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005).

While Miami, Oklahoma, hasn't seen the same activity as the Florida city, residents there aren't necessarily safe from storms. "It turns out that inland flooding is now the major cause of deaths from hurricanes," noted Gerry Bell, Ph.D., the NOAA's lead seasonal-hurricane forecaster, in an earlier blog entry on the updated Atlantic-storm forecast for 2008.

The storm tracker shows that from 1902 to 1921, three tropical storms came within 30 miles of this Oklahoma city. Unnamed tropical depressions also hit Miami in 1931 an 1955, others followed in the wakes of hurricanes Carla (1961), Candy (1968), Claudette (1979), and Gilbert (1988).

Moving north to Miami (University ), the RedHawks' hometown was hit by an unnamed tropical storm in 1892 and tropical depressions in 1896, 1901, 1915, and 1926. Tropical depressions also followed hurricanes Betsy (1965), Claudette and Bob (1979), Erin (1995) and the double-whammy of Dennis and Katrina (1995).

Don't be surprised it takes a while find your home's hurricane history—the site has proved so popular that it can slow to a near crawl at peak usage times.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide includes printable checklists to help you prepare for and deal with storms and natural disasters. See our video on flood insurance.

NOAA update: More active Atlantic hurricane season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released an updated forecast for a more active Atlantic hurricane season, a reminder to review your storm and emergency plans.

“The updated outlook calls for an 85 percent chance of an above-normal season. We’re expecting a lot of activity for the remainder of the year,” says Gerry Bell, Ph.D., the NOAA’s lead seasonal-hurricane forecaster, in a podcast on the NOAA site. “For the season as a whole, we’re expecting 14 to 18 named storms, 7 to 10 hurricanes, and three major hurricanes,

In May, the NOAA had seen a 65 percent chance of an above-normal season—a prediction we covered in an earlier blog posting. But Bell cited new reasons for the updated forecast, including warmer-than-normal Atlantic Ocean temperatures; strong early-season activity season in July, which is a strong indicator to an above-normal remainder of the season; a weak wind shear, which favors hurricane formation; and wind patterns from Africa’s west coast, which make disturbances more likely to strengthen into tropical storms and hurricanes as they move across the Atlantic.

Bell stressed that the seasonal outlook does not predict where hurricanes could make landfall. “The reason is quite simple; when or where a hurricane strikes depends on the weather patterns in place at the time the hurricane approaches, and those weather patterns are just not predictable more than to seven days in advance,” he says.

“By far the most important things people can do is have a hurricane plan,” Bell says. “Time and time again we see that people who have a safety-and-preparedness plan fare better than those who don’t.”

Bell also warns that inland dwellers should also take precautions, as recent hurricanes have been tracking over land for longer periods and producing more inland flooding. “It turns out that inland flooding is now the major cause of deaths from hurricanes,” Bell notes. Watch our video on flood insurance, above.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide includes step-by-step instructions for hardening your home against natural disasters, covering your financial assets, planning an effective family evacuation, and finding the right flood insurance.

Q&A: How should I prepare for an earthquake?

We've moved to the Los Angeles area from the Northeast and just went through our first earthquake. What should we do to prepare for an earthquake?

Scientists are seizing the aftermath of the 5.4-magnitude earthquake that hit Southern California on July 29 as a "teaching moment." (See map below.) They've been doing hundreds of media interviews in a bid to better prepare the public for future earthquake activity.

As we note in our earthquake coverage on our Storm & Emergency Guide seismic activity is not confined to the West Coast. Follow our advice to gird your home so it can better withstand seismic shock.

For instance, you can bracket and brace bookcases, hanging pictures, chandeliers, and appliances to studs and joists; for a ceiling fan, ensure that the electrical box it attaches to is designed to support its weight and properly secured to framing; equip gas lines with automatic shut-off valves to reduce the chance of explosion and fire; and, if allowed by local building codes, replace rigid gas and water connectors with flexible connectors that can move during a quake.

We've also provided similar commonsense and cost-effective ways to harden your home against hurricanes, tornadoes and high winds, floods, and wildfires.

Emergency-management experts stressed in "Be Prepared for Weather Emergencies" that it's essential to have a plan to safeguard your papers and properties before a natural disaster strikes and safely evacuate your family. You'll find printable instructions on these preparations in our Storm & Emergency Guide.—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Read our product reports and expert advice if you need a chain saw or power generator as part of your emergency planning.

Earthquake map courtesy of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Emergency-preparedness plans for your pets

I've got fond memories of childhood and adult trips to Big Sur. This amazing area along the California coast is one of my favorite places in the world, so I've been paying particular attention to the wildfires raging there in recent days.

The section below about pet evacutation in this New York Times news story on the Big Sur wildfires reminded me of an article we ran about emergency preparedness:

"Yellow smoke and ash mixed in the air as a procession of possession-laden cars, trucks and vans streamed north out of town. Horses, goats, cats and dogs were also being trucked out by animal welfare workers, as helicopters ferried back and forth to the ocean, drawing out water to dump on smoldering hillsides east of town."

If you own pets, read "Don't Leave Home Without Them," which includes information about preparing for and dealing with emergencies—a few basic steps can help you safely evacuate yourself and your pets. When an emergency does occur, take these bare necessities for your pet with you:

Harnesses, carriers, crates, and cages. Harnesses are better than collars for safety and security. Each pet should have its own crate, cage, or carrier. Be sure to include comfortable bedding, such as old blankets, and any toys to help your pet feel more secure.

ID, contact information, and medical records. All pets should have ID tags with emergency-contact information in case you become separated. Write the same information in indelible marker on the pet carrier. Include feeding and medical information, as well as a description of any pertinent behavioral issues. Keep a copy of records and identification photos of your pet with you at all times.

Food, water, and medicine. Pack three to seven days' worth of nonperishable food and water for your pet, as well as a week's supply of any necessary medicine. Take separate bowls for food and water.

Sanitation. Pack paper towels, liquid dish soap, a small bottle of household bleach, and a package of garbage bags. This will keep an already difficult situation from getting any messier.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: See our Storm & Emergency Guide for detailed information on dealing with disasters. Also read "Vacation Travel for Dogs," and if you're flying with your pet(s) this summer, watch the video (right).

Be prepared for weather emergencies

Recent fatal tornadoes and extensive flooding in the Midwest—and the start of another Atlantic hurricane season—should serve as a reminder that now is the time to plan for weather-related emergencies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, AccuWeather, and Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project are all calling for a near-normal or above-average Atlantic 2008 hurricane season, which runs through November 30.

An average Atlantic hurricane season sees 11 named storms, including six hurricanes. Of the six, two usually reach major—Category 3, 4, or 5—status.

The NOAA’s 2008 outlook is calling for a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes.

AccuWeather is predicting 12 named storms in the Atlantic Basin and expects 40 percent of them—up from the usual 25 percent—to cause tropical-storm or hurricane conditions on the U.S. coastline.

The Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University used “hindcasting” (predicting probability by analyzing past activity) to arrive at its June 3 revised estimate of 15 named storms and a 69 percent chance of a major landfall of a Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane on the U.S. coastline.

A number of meteorological factors have contributed to the higher forecasts for the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.

“Water temperatures are warmer in the than normal off the mid-Atlantic and northeast coasts of the U.S.; we’re still in the warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation,” notes Ken Reeves, AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist and director of Forecasting Operations.

(Reeves also notes that oil production in the Gulf Coast should remain relatively unaffected this year. “This [storm] season doesn’t look as potent as 2005, but there could a week to 10 days of disruption to the energy production facilities of the Gulf Coast,” he says.)

Preparations after the predictions
Predictions aside, “It takes only one storm making landfall in your area to make it an active hurricane season for you,” notes Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist and coauthor of the Tropical Meteorology Project report.

Even if you don’t live along the Atlantic or Gulf coast, you could be affected by extreme weather. An active jet stream has helped spawn unsettled weather—including tornadoes that had killed 59 Americans this year as of June 13—according to Greg Carbin, warning-coordination meteorologist at the NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The conditions result in flood- and mudslide-inducing heavy rains and wildfire-sparking lightning storms across the country.

International Builders’ Show Product Preview: Storm-A-Rest Hurricane-Protection System

The news images of the devastation caused by colossal hurricanes like Andrew (1992) and Katrina and Rita (both 2005) resonate years later. While no home hurricane-protection system can withstand the tide surges and flooding that accompany the worst tropical storms, John Boyle & Company’s Storm-A-Rest panels promise to fend off the pounding winds, torrential rain, and flying debris that define Mother Nature at her worst.

The tough fabric panels include tough Honeywell Spectra fibers, which the company claims help make the panels 15 times stronger for its weight than steel and allow them to withstand winds in excess of 155 mph. Indeed, Storm-A-Rest panels are certified for Wind Zone 4 and Large Missile D Impact, part of the Florida building code.

The translucent panels install over windows and attach to wood, brick, or concrete and allow 76 percent of the light through to the inside (keeping the interior from getting too dark during a storm), then roll up after storm season. You can also trim the panels with any of 350 Sunbrella fabrics, which show over the window when the panel is rolled up.

Panels for standard-size windows costs about $20 to $22 per square foot without the trim; custom sizes are also available. They are backed by a 10-year warranty.

Essential information: You'll find expert advice for dealing with hurricanes and other natural disasters in  our Storm & Emergency Guide. And learn more about windows in our latest report, "Clear Choices."

Be prepared for emergencies

As the devastating wildfires in Southern California should remind you, natural disasters can happen at any time without warning. Whether you are near the fire-ravaged areas of California where 265,000 people who live in a 150-mile area between the Mexican border and Malibu have been told to evacuate their homes; have a house in a tornado- or hurricane-prone area; or live in a location where other natural disasters are common, it’s essential to know how to respond to emergencies.

This concise guide will help you ready yourself for a natural disaster. You’ll find more detailed information on preparing for, getting through, and recovering from a cataclysmic event in our Storm & Emergency Guide. (Also see these specific tips for preventing wildfire damage at your home.)

Investigate likely dangers. Ask your local American Red Cross chapter or county emergency-management office to mail you or refer you to information about the most likely disasters in your area. Ask specifically about the warning signals, evacuation routes, and emergency services in your community as well as where to seek shelter. You should also find out what the disaster plans at your family's jobs, schools, or day-care centers require you to do.

In addition, it's wise to create a family preparedness plan:

Stock up. Consider storing the following basic supplies in a “go-bag” for home use or evacuation: at least three days' worth of nonperishable food, water, and essential medicines; toiletries and clothing; iodine tablets or bleach to disinfect water if you can't boil it; candles and matches; flashlights or battery-powered lamps; battery-operated TV or radio; first-aid kit and book; extra eyeglasses, keys, cash, and batteries; and copies of important documents (such as birth certificates and passports). Consider keeping separate go-bags (excluding the documents) at work and in your car. You may also want to keep your car's tank at least half full, since gas pumps may not work if there's no electric power. Read http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/fema320_erkit.pdf for more information.

Find the safe spots. During an earthquake the safest locations in your home include load-bearing interior walls or doorways; during a tornado, seek shelter in the basement.

Shut down utilities. Teach family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in case of damaged utility lines.

Get ready to rendezvous. Designate two places where your family will reunite after a disaster: one near your home and another outside your neighborhood. Give all family members a wallet card with relevant addresses and phone numbers.

Create a call-in contact. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance than locally. So ask someone out of state to be your family contact and tell family members to call in if they can't get to the meeting place.

Plan for pets. Pack a disaster supply kit in advance, including pet food, leashes, and veterinary records. Since pets usually aren't permitted in emergency shelters, you may have to leave them at a kennel, animal shelter, or friend's home. Read “Don’t leave home without them” for detailed information.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: Download these PDFs and keep them handy.

Before_Emergency_Checklist.pdf

Emergency_Plan_Checklist.pdf

Protect_Your_Home_Checklist.pdf