Hurricane Tracking 2013 by The Wilson Times Co.

Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 wilsontimes.com 2

Here’s what you can do to prepare for such an emergency Know what a hurricane WATCH and WARNING means

Are You Ready for a Hurricane?

Here’s what you can do to prepare for such an emergency

Identify what to do when a hurricane WARNING is issued

• Install hurricane shutters or pur-

✔ Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

• Listen to the advice of localofficials, and leave if they tell you to do so. • Complete preparation activities. • If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows. • Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.

✔ Complete preparation activities.

Prepare for high winds

Identify what to do when a hurricane WARNING is issued

✔ If you are not advised to evacuat stay indoors, away from windows

✔ Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.

✔ Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes

• First aid kit and essential medications. • Canned food and can opener. • At least three gallons of water per person. • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags. • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. • Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members. • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)

✔ Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing

Know what to do when a hurricane WATCH is issued

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information. • Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind. • Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended. • Fill your car’s gas tank. • Recheck manufactured home tiedowns. • Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

Prepare for high winds

✔ Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2” outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.

✔ Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

• Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places—a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter. • Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged. • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Know what a hurricane WATCH and WARNING means

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

✔ WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.

✔ WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan

✔ Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places—a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

✔ Keep handy the telephone numbers

• WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours. • WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

Hurricane

chase precut 1/2” outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly. • Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

• Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows. • Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.

Know what to do after a hurricane is over • Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions. • If you are evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. • Inspect your home for damage. • Use flashlights at all times; avoid using candles.

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Mass Care Support Trailer The MCST is primarily utilized by WCEM in emergency situations to assist Wilson County’s elderly citizens. The trailer is stocked with various supplies, including: wheelchairs, walkers, cots and ramps, among other provisions.

Emergency Companion Animal Support Trailer The ECAST provides the WCEM with a variety of animal supplies for boarding when area pets need assistance. Both the MCST and the ECAST are provided and supplied solely by money the department receives from grants.

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Home Hazard Hunt

Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards. Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.

Neighbors helping neighbors Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you’re a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors’ special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 wilsontimes.com 4

Hurricanes are most threatening to residents along our nation’s coastlines. But such fierce storms also have been known to build up enough momentum to carry their destructive winds inland for hundreds of miles. Heavy rains, flooding, and tornadoes add to the damage hurricanes can inflict on your home and community. Prepare for a hurricane by completing each item on the checklist below. Then meet to discuss and finalize your Family Disaster Plan:

_________________________________ _________________________________

Changes recommended: _____ _________________________________

Write instructions on how to turn off your home’s electricity, water, and gas if advised to do so by local authorities. (A professional must turn gas service back on.)

And remember ... when a hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family. Your Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on contributions of your time, money, and blood.

Instructions written: __________ ________________________________ _________________________________

Put together a Disaster Supplies Kit in a clearly labeled, easyto-grab container.

Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm. Keep this list in your Disaster Supplies Kit.

Location of Disaster Supplies Kit: ________________________________ _________________________________

List completed: _______________ ________________________________ _________________________________

Call your local emergency management or planning and zoning office to find out if you live in an area that could flood during a hurricane or heavy rains.

Buy any items needed to board up windows and protect your home well ahead of time. Precut plywood to fit windows so that you can quickly cover windows.

Flood area:

Yes No

Prepare an evacuation plan in case you must leave. Share your plan with the relatives or friends you plan to stay with—or plan to go to a Red Cross shelter. Add to your Disaster Supplies Kit a map marked with two alternative routes to your destination. Evacuation plan completed: ___

Items purchased to protect home: __________________________________ ____________ Have an engineer check your home and advise you about ways to make it more resistant to hurricane winds.

For more information, contact:

Wilson County Emergency Management ( www.wilson-co.com / 252-399-2830) or the local Red Cross chapter, or the National Weather Service office.

You can also visit these Web sites:

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org National Weather Service: www.nws.noaa.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

Your local contact is: Wilson County Emergency Management www.wilson-co.com or www.ready.gov 252-399-2830 (p) 252-399-2780 (f) 1817 Glendale Dr. Wilson, NC 27893 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

Engineer checked home: _______ _________________________________ ______________

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Advisory:

Official information issued by tropical cyclone warning centers describing all tropical cyclone watches and warnings in effect along with details concerning tropical cyclone locations, intensity and movement, and precautions that should be taken. Advisories are also issued to describe: (a) tropical cyclones prior to issuance of watches and warnings and (b) subtropical cyclones.

Best Track: A subjectively-smoothed representation of a tropical cyclone’s location and intensity over its lifetime. The best track contains the cyclone’s latitude, longitude, maximum sustained surface winds, and minimum sea-level pressure at 6-hourly intervals. Best track positions and intensities, which are based on a post-storm assessment of all available data, may differ from values contained in storm advisories. They also generally will not reflect the erratic motion implied by connecting individual center fix positions.

Center: Generally speaking, the vertical axis of a tropical cyclone, usually defined by the location of minimum wind or minimum pressure. The cyclone center position can vary with altitude. In advisory products, refers to the center position at the surface.

Hurricane / Typhoon: Cyclone: An atmospheric closed circulation rotating counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

Eye: The roughly circular area of comparatively light winds that encompasses the center of a severe tropical cyclone. The eye is either completely or partially surrounded by the eyewall cloud.

Gale Warning: A warning of 1-minute sustained surface winds in the range 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 47 kt (54 mph or 87 km/hr) inclusive, either predicted or occurring and not directly associated with tropical cyclones.

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A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or more. The term hurricane is used for Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclones east of the International Dateline to the Greenwich Meridian. The term typhoon is used for Pacific tropical cyclones north of the Equator west of the International Dateline.

Hurricane Season: The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico runs from June 1 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific basin runs from May 15 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Central Pacific basin runs

Continued on page 8

High Wind Warning:

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A high wind warning is defined as 1-minute average surface winds of 35 kt (40 mph or 64 km/hr) or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds gusting to 50 kt (58 mph or 93 km/hr) or greater regardless of duration that are either expected or observed over land.

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Continued from page 5 Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-stormforce winds.

Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

Landfall: The intersection of the surface center of a tropical cyclone with a coastline. Because the strongest winds in a tropical cyclone are not located precisely at the center, it is possible for a cycloneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strongest winds to be experienced over land even if landfall does not occur. Similarly, it is possible for a tropical cyclone to make landfall and have its stron-

gest winds remain over the water.

Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide.

Photos of Hurricane Floyd damage in Wilson County. Times archive photos

Storm Tide The water level rise during a storm due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide.

Tropical Depression A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.

Tropical Storm A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots). Courtesy of The National Weather Service

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How well you recover from an emergency often depends on how well you plan and prepare for such events. While each person’s abilities and needs differ, everyone can take steps to prepare for all types of emergencies. Following several common sense measures can help older North Carolinians prepare for emergencies. Create a personal support network of relatives, friends and neighbors to help you in an emergency. Discuss your needs so others know how to help you. They should know your capabilities and needs, and be able to offer help within minutes. Do not depend on only one person. Make lists of emergency and medical information. Include names and numbers of whom to call in a medical emergency, as well as an out-of-town contact. If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information list notes the best way to communicate with you. Keep copies of your emergency contacts in your disaster supplies kit, car, wallet (behind driver’s license or primary identification card), and wheelchair pack or at work, etc. Include in your emergency supplies kit, copies of important documents such as: Family records, wills, deeds, tax records, bank account information, social security cards. Medical records that include: names/contact numbers of your medical providers; names, time and dosage of medications you take and the condition for which you take the medicine; the name of the doctor who prescribed it, and the doctor’s phone number. Records of any adaptive equipment you use, your allergies and sensitivities, and

communication or cognitive difficulties you may have. Copies of health insurance cards and related information. Keep this list attached to your emergency information list. Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals and any other items you may need. Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require. Make arrangements for any assistance needed to get to a shelter. Advocate for yourself . Practice how to quickly explain the best way to safely guide or move you and your adaptive equipment. Give brief, clear and specific directions to rescue personnel (orally or in writing). For example, say or write instructions, such as: “Please take my medicine in the refrigerator, or communication device from under the bed.” OR “Please do not straighten my knees. They are fused in a bent position.” OR “I am deaf. Please write things down for me.” Courtesy of readync.org

Social Security

Seniors who receive Social Security or other federal benefits should consider receiving their payments electronically. Following disasters, mailed checks can be delayed significantly. Using the direct deposit method is safer than a paper check, and saves you a trip to the bank every month. To sign up for Social Security direct deposit, call (800) 333-1795, or visit GoDirect.org.

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Wilson County Emergency Management serves the citizens of Wilson County by taking the lead coordination role during major emergency and disaster situations. They coordinate resources on the local and state level to bring to bare on the hazards that may affect the citizens of Wilson County.

During major disaster situations, Wilson County Emergency Management staff work in the County Emergency Operations Center to direct other County agencies while we shelter and feed citizens, gather damage assessment information, and compile that information to work towards various disaster declarations. At times, they are tasked with making unpopular decisions that

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They also respond to hazardous materials spills, large fires, and any unusual emergency event that occurs in the County. Their role is to obtain and provide specialized resources such as Hazardous Materials Clean-up Teams, Hazardous Materials Response Teams, Specialized Search and Rescue Resources, and any other specialized resource that may be needed on an incident.

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What you might not know about disaster coverage Flood Insurance

Homeowners policies do not cover damage caused by a flood. A flood policy must be in force in order to cover flood damage. It takes 30 days after purchase for a flood policy to take effect, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to buy flood insurance before floodwaters start to rise. Your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire damage. Anyone can buy flood coverage as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Homeowners insurance Most homeowners policies will cover fire or lightning, vandalism, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, impact by aircraft or vehicle, smoke, theft, weight of ice, snow, sleet, accidental water discharge from plumbing or appliances, sudden tearing/bulging of heating or cooling systems, freezing of plumbing system, and breakage of glass, for your home and personal property. Check with your insurance agent to verify the named perils that your policy protects against.

Back-up of sewer and drain Each year, sewer and drain backups cause millions of dollars in damage to the homes owned by policyholders. Most homeowners policies do not cover losses incurred from sewer or drain backup. (A homeowners endorsement offering

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Wilson County Emergency Management is there to provide shelter to those in need during an emergency situation. While the location and number of shelters may vary, depending on the location of the emergency and number of certified personnel available for staffing, their primary locations are: • Forest Hills Middle School, 1210 NW Forest Hills Road • Darden Middle School, 1665 Lipscomb Road (overflow from Darden would direct to B.O. Barnes Elementary School, 1913 Martin L. King Parkway) In the event a shelter is opened, the WCEM will also open an animal shelter. Any citizens seeking to board their animal at the shelter: • Must show proof of rabies vaccination or the animal will not be permitted • Are highly encouraged to bring their own crate for their pet due to limited supplies and behavioral concerns for the pet • May not drop off their pet at the shelter and leave. All owners must stay at the shelter with their pet. The Wilson Rescue Squad building is located at 1902 South Tarboro Street. Times

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Four simple, smart ways to save toward summer travel Americans may still be cutting back in other areas, but when it comes to summer travel they’re willing to start spending again. Economic uncertainty aside, 78 percent of Americans plan to take a vacation this summer, and one in four of them plan to spend more this year on summer travel, according to a recent survey released by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. More than half (55 percent) of Americans will spend the same on summer vacation this year as last year, and 26 percent say they will spend more, according to the survey. Just 16 percent intend to spend less on travel in 2013. Summer vacation is an important American tradition. Traveling together gives families, couples and friends the opportunity to relax, bond and experience new places. “As valuable as summer vacation can be to our emotional well-being, it’s important to ensure that the costs of traveling don’t adversely affect our overall financial health,” says Carrie Braxdale, managing director of investor services, TD Ameritrade, Inc. (“TD Ameritrade”). “Like managing any large expense, paying for vacation comes down to planning and saving.” Consider these four important points when you’re thinking about how you will fund this year’s summer vacation:

3. Keep a level head - Even if it’s the trip of a lifetime, try not to allow your vacation to carry you away. Don’t get caught up in the moment and overspend by putting all your travel costs on a credit card. Going into debt to fund a vacation ensures you’ll be paying for it - at a high rate of interest - long after you’ve returned home. 4. Cut back wisely - Cutting back on other expenses in order to save toward a vacation fund is a great idea. Just cut back carefully. Never reduce savings, especially retirement savings, just to pay for a vacation. In fact, consider doing the opposite, and cut back on vacation expenses in favor of putting a little bit more into your IRA or 401(k). For example, if you start at age 30 and contribute just $500 additional a year toward your IRA, by age 55 you could have an additional $39,000 for your retirement. That’s assuming an 8 percent rate of return over 25 years. If you’re unsure how your current retirement savings will affect your financial life once you retire, visit TD Ameritrade’s Retirement Center, where you can learn about different types of IRAs and find tools like a Retirement Planner and WealthRuler.

Summer vacation can be great fun, but be sure to save toward it and spend it wisely while travelling. Keeping control of your travel costs now can help 1. Early planning pays off - While occasionally you may be able to score a ensure you’ll have plenty of funds later in life when it’s time to take the ulgreat travel deal at the last minute, it’s more likely you’ll find the best hotel, timate vacation ... retirement. airfare and rental car rates by planning and booking in advance. Decisions Courtesy of Brandpoint such as your destination, lodging arrangements and transportation plans will all affect the ultimate cost of your vacation. By planning ahead and tallying Batten Heating & A/C has been an costs before you incur them, you will be able to save toward your travel goals established, reliable, and experienced heating and reduce the chance of overspending, running up credit card debt or - even and air conditioning contractor serving worse - diverting funds from long-term savings goals like retirement. Eastern North Carolina for nearly four

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Protect your home and family during severe summer weather The warm summer brings about plenty of fun in the sun with picnics, camping and backyard parties. However, these months can produce severe weather, from tornadoes to hurricanes. In addition to planning fun outdoor activities to enjoy in the summer heat, Americans should also prepare their homes for the worst that Mother Nature can bring. Recent weather events like Superstorm Sandy along the East Coast and the tornadoes in Oklahoma have heightened awareness about emergency preparedness and the importance of having reliable backup power. Severe summer storms can strike at any moment anywhere in the U.S., so it’s important for all homeowners to develop an emergency plan now, before the next big storm hits. Here are a few tips to help people protect their homes, belongings and families

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during severe weather events. * Consider emergency backup power - During Superstorm Sandy, more than 8 million homes lost power up and down the East Coast and in states as far west as Michigan. Power lines are easily damaged by high winds, heavy rains and even lightning. A permanent standby generator is often viewed as the best option for homeowners to maintain power during and after severe weather, because it provides automatic, whole-home power during extended outages. “When the power goes out, it completely changes the way you live,” says Ed Del Grande, a master contractor, syndicated home improvement columnist and host on the DIY network. “A standby generator can power an entire home during an outage, which means your life continues uninterrupted. This is particularly important

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for homes with small children, the elderly or home-based businesses.” A standby generator is recommended by most professionals because it turns on automatically when power is lost from the utility and is permanently connected to the home like a central air conditioning unit. Because of this, homeowners do not need to be home to turn the generator on or have to go out into severe weather to set it up. The unit also connects to existing fuel lines in the home, running on propane or natural gas, and can power the entire home, including essential items like air conditioning, lights, refrigerators and freezers, security systems, electronic devices and more. To learn more about standby power, view educational videos on the internet and access a sizing calculator to determine what kind of a standby

generator is needed for your home. * Establish an emergency plan Involve the entire family in your emergency plan, which should include details about the safest room in the home during severe weather, evacuation routes from the home and a predetermined meeting place in case your family gets separated during an evacuation. * Stay informed - During the summer, stay tuned to local weather forecasters when threatening weather is on the horizon and follow directions provided by local emergency officials to help keep your family and your home as secure as possible. Invest in a weather radio that alerts you and your family of potentially dangerous weather in your area. This is especially important when severe weather strikes in the middle of the night. Courtesy of Brandpoint Media

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