Hurricane Season again
Michael was the first category 5 storm to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. And it was so very close to the Navarre area until it made that final turn just hours before landfall toward Panama City and its neighbors. Some residents of that area are still living in tents, or temporary housing. An entire Air Force Base was destroyed. Hospitals were closed. Jobs were lost, homes were gone. People were killed.
While you are reading the newspaper in the comfort of your home, and we are reporting the news from the comfort of our offices, Hurricane Michael could have made landfall here and we would be the ones reeling, homeless and jobless.
Are there lessons to be learned from Hurricane Michael? Yes. Not every storm is the same. Just because you rode out Hurricanes Opal or Ivan doesn’t mean you can ride out another one. All the new development we have experienced makes our area more prone to flooding just for the shear fact there isn’t as much ground (dirt) to absorb water. Your home may take on water when it didn’t before. One mile or five miles east or west of here can have tremendous impacts to us. And the west side is the best side to be on in a hurricane.
The most practical advice is to prepare early, ahead of a storm. Keep a stock of batteries, flashlights, bottled water, frozen water. Have shutters ready – Navarre Press has hurricane shutters, however, you may opt to have plywood cut for your windows. Have them cut and numbered for the windows at the beginning of the season and store them. Be sure you have empty sandbags if your home is prone to flooding. Santa Rosa County will usually make sand available for your bags when a storm is approaching. And speaking of the county, sign up for their emergency text alerts. Also, Navarre Press has an emergency text alert system as well. Just go to our website at navarrepress.com to sign up. We will keep everyone updated of an impending storm from the beginning until it makes landfall or is no longer a threat to our area.
Please take advantage of Florida’s tax-free week for purchasing hurricane supplies. It runs May 31 through June 6 and includes such items as:
n reusable ice packs
n portable self-powered light source (flashlights, lanterns, candles)
n any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers
n batteries, including rechargeables (AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt)
n coolers and ice chests
n tarps and other flexible waterproof sheeting
n ground anchor system
n tie-down kits
n bungee cords
n ratchet straps
n radios (two-way, weather band) battery powered, solar or hand crank
n portable generators
The full list can be viewed at floridarevenue.com