Go away Gustav
By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Gulf Coast is bracing for the affects of Hurricane Gustav, which could be a significant threat to our region of the country.
While officials will not be sure of the storm's intensity and how it will affect us, it's a good idea to get prepared now. If we wait until the storm is almost here, it will be too late.
EMA officials said Franklin County's greatest threat is the straight-line winds and tornadoes. So this is not going to be different from an active tornado season for us.
Still we should think about getting ready now. Officials said each household should be able to take care of themselves until help can arrive so that means making sure you have enough non-perishable food for three days per person, and having lots of drinking water.
Every household should have an emergency plan already in place. This plan should include where to go should a tornado warning be issued, and having your supplies in that place. Good places to meet include basements without windows or the smallest room on the lowest floor of the structure. Remember mobile homes are not safe. If you like in a mobile home, please make arrangements to go to a safer structure, and makes these plans in advance and get there early.
If you wait until the tornado is coming to figure out this place, it's too late.
Items in your kit besides food and water should include flashlights and candles, blankets, pillows, radio with batteries, extra batteries, a corded phone (cordless phones will not work when the power is out), a first aid kit, medications for family members, a weather radio with batteries and bike helmets if available. I know the bike helmet thing sounds a little weird but they can be used to protect your head should your home be struck by a tornado.
It is important over the next day or so to keep up to date on the weather to see if we are under any warnings. Even if you think the weather is okay, stay up to date. Tornadoes can sneak up on you when you least expect it.
Hopefully, we won't need any of these tips, and rain will be the only thing we get from this storm. But, should we get the worst, I want everyone to be prepared and safe. It would break my heart to have to report bad news after the storm.
